Linuxcare Founders Launch Sputnik Wireless Network

While Boingo (the new national wireless Internet system headed by Earthlink founder Sky Dayton) has been getting lots of attention, the three Linuxcare founders -- Dave Sifry, Dave LaDuke and Art Tyde -- and have been quietly building a system of their own -- one based on the sharing model pioneered by the free software, open source and Linux movements. The company is Sputnik, and after a quietly cautious beginning, the service has finally been launched.

To put Sputnik in context, it helps to see a wireless network (802.11b, or Wi-Fi), as one of three things: 1) a closed wireless Ethernet LAN; 2) a wireless way to get on the Net for a fee; and 3) a wireless way to get on the Net for free. Any one of the three might show up in your wireless client software when your laptop is within range of a "hot spot." But only #2 and #3 offer ways to get on the Net. The main difference between Boingo and Sputnik is that Boingo aggregates businesses offering #2, while Sputnik extends both #2 and #3 -- especially #3. Think of it as a fee-for-use value add-on to all the participating hot spots in the world.

Here's the difference in frame of reference: Boingo comes from the PC world, and Sputnik comes from the Linux/UNIX world. Boingo offers users client software and a fee service (while it offers service providers a uniform way to interact with those users, along with a straightforward revenue stream). Sputnik offers users a way not only to take advantage of Wi-Fi bandwidth, but to serve it up as well. As with Linux, your laptop is both a client and sever. You become a fully empowered part of the system.

With Sputnik Gateway Software, you distribute bandwidth while you use it. Your laptop becomes an access point -- a hot spot. But instead of performing as an indiscriminate hub, Sputnik's gateway acts as intelligent router, sending traffic by priority to other Sputnik members. The system expands with each new member. Dave Sifry says, "The Gateway is a smart edge device, there is no need to run a special client in order to use it. No software to download onto your box! Totally standards-driven!"

Here's what Glenn Fleishmann, of 802.11b Networking News puts it:

This is totally amazing.





The Sputnik folks have solved all the problems Boingo didn't while offering


an interesting, viral alternative. They solve the firewall issue (local


networks are protected while the AP is open), authentication (captive portal


without any work), priority (local users and Sputnik Affiliates have QoS


above random folk).





Because being a member opens the rest of the network to you for free, it


plays on both aspects of the Internet in general and wireless community


networks in particular: enlightened self-interest, as your adoption


increases the size of the network and the likelihood of others to join; and


generous selflessness, as you have nothing in particular to gain by allowing


others to use your access point and network. Only in combination to these


two virtues turn into a viral message.





Of course, some may cavil at this: it co-opts community networks by offering


a prefab, PC-based package that looks like a closed box. Money is only taken


from outsiders, those not generous or sophisticated enough to become


affiliates.





I'm curious if this will provoke a firestorm of criticism.
The gateway comes with a firewall. It also serves as an application platform, does caching, tracks usage, handles authentication, remote management and other things. Its core technologies are also open source and available under the GPL.

Subscribers pay a monthly fee, but for a limited time (as we go to press), subscribers can roam for free.

Sputnik is at <http://www.sputnik.com/>.