West coast start-ups look at linking DSL or cable networks

A couple of west coast start-ups are looking at allowing consumers to link up DSL or cable connections which would both speed up access and reduce the cost of surfing at home. This would be most relevant in urban areas.

Mushroom Networks, which was started at the University of California at San Diego, and WiBoost, based in Seattle, have built prototypes of simple wireless systems that make it possible for groups of neighbors to share their DSL or cable Internet connections.

Both companies said that sharing high-speed lines might enable users in small neighborhood clusters to download files and Web pages up to 10 times faster.

The two are taking different approaches, but getting at a similar opportunity which is allowing consumers to speed up DSL access in particular, while cost effectively using under-utilised network capacity. For the reality is that most hign speed dedicated connections lie idle for the vast majority of the day and night.

While these two start-ups solve an interesting dilemma their challenge will be persuading DSL and cable providers to adopt their technology. It may be better for the user, but sure is worse for the service provider who would see less connection fees.

Mind you, it may allow DSL providers to speed up their connections and better compete with cable companies. And if it's better for the user at some point one such start-up will find a route to market. And lets face it a clear benefit would purely be that your average user wouldn't have to install and manage their own wireless network. They would just access a neighbours.

Given that my wireless router still doesn't work properly, I sure can see the benefit of that!