Following in the footsteps of the Viennese ‘silverserver’ (which set up a low cost network of leased lines, ADSL and wireless systems to allow a cheaper internet access in Austria) Consume.net is setting up a wireless ethernet on the City fringes of London.

As the rest of the world is trying to get on the Net, Consume’s net pioneers are looking to get out of the costly local loop to provide broadband network services without the prohibitive prices. A point they might be bearing in mind is one recently highlighted in the financial press, namely that ISPs are the ones benefitting from freeware enthusiasts like Napster users, since their infinite surfer hours are a net traffic carrier’s version of a pot of gold.

Simon Worthington <simonATmetamute.com>

[http://www.consume.net]