Speakeasy Introduces Broadband WiFi Sharing Plan

An anonymous reader writes "Today, speakeasy (the greatest ISP ever) sent out a letter from the CEO introducing their NetShare Wi-Fi plan. It lets you share your broadband with your neighbors, with Speakeasy handling the billing and splitting the fee 50/50. More ISPs should be like this!"

Comments

TOS

[SKPhoton]

Thats pretty cool. But what if someone breaks the Terms of Service. Would they cut the connection altogether?

Re:RIAA loophole?

[JVert]

What happens if you get busted for sharing music? Are you now legally responsible for your neighbors actions or are you free and clear because no one knows (not even you) who did the alleged file sharing. Logs? we dont need no stinking logs.

Re:RIAA loophole?

[Anonymous Coward]

I have been wondering that for a while...

I live in a group house, and there's 9 of us with wireless ethernet running throughout the entire place. If RIAA sues because they suspect one of us is downloading something illegal, how do they decide who gets the blame, if all 9 of us are dhcp'd behind NAT, with only one publically addressable IP? You can't fathomably put it all on the one sap who registered for the DSL connection can you?

Speakeasy is a good browser innovation

[Rares Marian]

Costs that Speakeasy has to deal with are inflated over the bare cost of service and hardware.

As more ISPs do this, they put the admin tasks in the hands of capable users (hopefully better than the MCSE's they got conned into hiring). That simplies things a bit. That means that they no longer have to guarantee the speed of broadband. It allows the market to loosen up from the usually stagnant progress it's had. when you have two variables (performance and price) rather than this rigid 56k no more no less, DSL speed no more no less, customers can be satisfied and fewere are left out of the picture.

Don't we want to close the digital divide?

As Speakeasy (whoever it is up the chain) no longer has to buy as much hardware, the hardware sellers have to drop their prices, which is good for Speakeasy.

Re:I get WiFi now for free

[bfields]

I wonder if running a NetShare AP rules out running a wide-open free AP.

From their FAQ:

I don't use WiFi but still want to share my connection (Ethernet, carrier pigeons, free-space optics, whatever). What's your policy?

Speakeasy believes that shared wireless networks are in keeping with our core values of disseminating knowledge, access to information and fostering community, provided this usage does not have an adverse impact on the services of other customers, does not involve any illegal activity and is not otherwise in violation of any aspect of our existing Terms Of Service. Please remember that the Speakeasy account-holder is responsible for all activity originating from their DSL line, even if it is the result of other users on a shared wireless connection.

You may use either wired or wireless networks to share your connection, under the NetShare terms of use. Use of NetShare is mandatory if broadband circuit is residential and you intend to collect fees from third parties accessing your network.

What I get from this is that they don't mind your sharing your connection, but that if you want to charge the neighbors than they're requiring you to use this new system to do it.

It also sounds like they'll provide your neighbors with email accounts and stuff if they sign up.

It all seems pretty reasonable to me....

Neighbors won't want to pay if they can get it for free, right?

Speaking for myself, if I were using my neighbor's connection a lot, I'd certainly be more than happy to chip in for it.

--Bruce Fields

Re:Umm Ethics?

[MADCOWbeserk]

I see no problem with charging the guy. As long as he can call on you to fix it if it goes down. Something a freebie can't do.