Originally published January 24 2006
Telefonica Móviles to operate world's largest WiFi network
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
After the conversion of its GSM and UMTS towers to high-capacity WiFi access points in Spain, users will be able to access the internet from anywhere in the Movistar coverage area. The service will benefit 23 million customers.
There had to be an explanation for the sudden string of new hybrid (GSM/WiFi) cellphones from the major manufacturers, and here it is: Telefonica Móviles, the world's second largest mobile operator, will operate the world's largest WiFi network within three months, as soon as it completes the conversion of all its GSM and UMTS towers in Spain into high-capacity WiFi access points.
The huge technology project, that the company is undertaking extremely quickly and in full secrecy, will provide fast, wireless Internet access from any place where there is Movistar cellphone coverage.
Given the size and geographical extent of the Telefónica Móviles deployment, most other initiatives previously considered as far-reaching pale by comparison, such as Google Secure Access in San Francisco or Philadelphia's city-wide coverage.
The Spanish carrier plans to unveil the still-unnamed service during the 3GSM World Congress to be held in Barcelona from February 13 to 16 de febrero, 2006.
The company will use its 23-million customers in the Spanish market as a pilot project for the complete rollout to all its subsidiaries, based in Latin America and Europe, with a global 89 million customers.
When asked about the risk of obsolescence of WiFi technology when fastest systems such as WiMax are widely available, the executive says that it is still too soon for taking WiMax for granted; on the other hand, the market penetration of WiFi-enabled devices provides more than enough critical mass.
The industry will take notice of the effect of Telefónica Móviles' new nationwide service on Movistar's overall billing to subscribers, because anyone with a WiFi-enabled device and a VoIP software such as Skype will now be able to make all kinds of voice calls, even internationally, for a flat rate.
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