CABLE COMPANIES CRACKING DOWN ON WI-FI One of the best features of Wi-Fi networks is that anyone within 300 feet of an access point can get on the Internet. At least, from the public's point of view this is a benefit. But as more and more grassroots organizations and public-minded citizens set up Wi-Fi "hotspots," ISPs are moving to shut them down. Time Warner Cable of New York City has given 10 customers less than a week to stop using their accounts to provide Wi-Fi access. Time Warner, AT&T Broadband and other high-speed providers say that the redistribution of bandwidth is illegal. Only one major company, Covad Communications, allows paying customers to use their accounts for Wi-Fi networks. While many people set up Wi-Fi networks specifically to permit access to anyone in range, a number of people are unaware that their personal networks "bleed" for about 300 feet. Suzanne Guiliani, a spokeswoman for Time Warner Cable of New York City, said that her company considers sharing of bandwidth not just as theft, but as a drain on the existing resources for other subscribers. For the present, companies are targeting only network groups who set up Wi-Fi with the intention of sharing bandwidth. [SOURCE: CNET News, AUTHOR: Ben Charny] (http://news.com.com/2100-1033-942323.html?tag=cd_mh) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) Benton Foundation 2002. Redistribution of this email publication - both internally and externally -- is encouraged if it includes this message. Communications-Related Headlines are compiled and summarized by Rachel Anderson (rachel at benton.org), Andy Carvin (andy at benton.org), Shenaz Malik (shenaz at benton.org) and Diana Schneider (diana at benton.org) of the Benton Foundation -- we welcome your feedback. Based in Washington DC, the Benton Foundation's mission is to articulate a public interest vision for the digital age and demonstrate the value of communications for solving social problems. Other projects at Benton include: Digital Divide Network (www.digitaldividenetwork.org) Connect for Kids (www.connectforkids.org) OneWorld US (www.oneworld.net/us/) Sound Partners for Community Health (www.soundpartners.org) Digital Opportunity Channel (www.digitalopportunity.org) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your settings, or view archived postings, visit http://owa.benton.org/archives/benton-compolicy.html