FAQs

What is FON?

FON is the world’s largest WiFi community. FON's “La Fonera” wireless routers enable people to share a small part of their broadband Internet service with the FON Community. In return for sharing, FON members - Foneros - gain free WiFi access at FON Spots worldwide. FON, whose investors include Google, Skype, British Telecom and others has grown virally to a membership of 700,000+ since its founding in 2006.

People that don’t share their broadband with a La Fonera can still connect to FON hotspots around the world by purchasing inexpensive access passes.

What is the La Fonera?

The La Fonera is FON’s own, specially designed WiFi routers. They give you wireless access to the Internet like the other top wireless routers on the market. They are cool looking routers about the size of your hand and, of course, they create a wireless network for your laptop and other WiFi enabled devices to connect to a single internet connection at speeds up to 54 Mbps.

What’s even cooler, La Fonera is not just any router; it is also a WiFi sharing community. La Fonera lets you share a bit of your broadband Internet connection with others, and in return, you get free access to the FON Spots of everyone else who is sharing. That’s more than 180,000 locations worldwide and growing fast. With our routers, you join the world’s largest WiFi community! In effect, the La Fonera router is both a powerful WiFi router and your passport to a worldwide community of people who are making WiFi universal and free.

What is the difference between the La Fonera and the La Fonera+?

The La Fonera+ is FON’s newest WiFi router. Unlike the original La Fonera, La Fonera+ comes with a LAN Ethernet port and four coloured LEDs show Foneros the status of all of your router’s activities: whether it’s online, whether you’re connected, or whether you’re sharing WiFi with other Foneros.

Both the La Fonera and the La Fonera+ have all of FON’s great security and community features, and are automatically updated whenever the latest version of FON is ready.

Is the La Fonera secure?

Unlike other WiFi routers, the La Fonera routers split the WiFi signal, creating a private secure channel (called “MyPlace”) for the FON Spot owner and a second channel (called “FON_”) which other Foneros in the vicinity of the FON Spot can share. Splitting the channel creates a security advantage for our members since only the FON Spot owner can access her private channel.

Will my Internet speed be affected by sharing?

Only Foneros and registered non-members can access the La Fonera’s second channel with their FON account details. This means you can easily monitor who is accessing your FON Spot and ensures your Internet connection is as fast as ever.

You can also set how much of your bandwidth you wish to share with other Foneros in your My FON user area under Settings in the “Personalize My FON Spot” section.

Is FON an Internet Service Provider?

FON is not an Internet Service Provider (ISP), so no matter who provides your high-speed internet service, you can buy a FON WiFi router, share bandwidth with the Community, and get free access to FON Spots.

Is FON really free?

There are no monthly fees with FON. For lifetime free access to the growing network of FON hotspots, there is the one-time cost and installation of FON’s La Fonera router. For people not sharing their WiFi, access to FON hotspots is for an affordable fee. FON offers 1 day, 5 day and hourly passes.

How can I make money with FON?

FON will pay you 50% of the net revenue that we get every time a visitor (non-sharing FON member) purchases a FON Access Pass through your FON hotspot. How much you make is largely determined by how much foot traffic you have by your hotspot. To share revenue with FON, choose the ‘Bill’ profile in your MyFON account profile and enter your PayPal account number.

How Do I Join FON?

It’s simple to join the FON WiFi sharing community. Just three steps:

1. Buy a special FON wireless router (La Fonera)
2. Connect it to your existing broadband internet service and register it.
3. Enjoy wireless roaming for FREE.

You’ll be sharing a small portion of your internet service with other FON members, and in return getting access to thousands of free WiFi locations worldwide.

You can also join FON as a non-sharing member, simply by creating a free FON account. With a FON account you can buy affordable access passes to connect to FON hotspots worldwide.

What are the requirements for joining?

All you need is an active email address and a WiFi enabled device (PC, laptop, etc) that allows you to access the Internet.

If you want to become a full-fledged Fonero who shares WiFi and gets free access to FON Spots around the world, then you’ll need broadband at home and a La Fonera WiFi router. Your connection should at least operate at a speed of 512KB.

I already have WiFi, can I join FON?

Of course you can. If you already have a wireless router, then you have experienced the benefits of WiFi access at home or your business, but have not experienced the benefits of the FON Community! By switching or adding FON, you gain the ability to roam and get free internet when you are out and about at FON hotspots everywhere.

What is a Fonero, Linus, Bill, Alien?

Everyone who registers with FON and joins our Community is called a “Fonero”, regardless of whether or not they have a La Fonera router.

For fun, we affectionately call the different types of Fonero -- depending on whether and how they share their WiFi – Linus, Bill, or Alien. Remember that all Foneros can access FON Spots, but only those who have a La Fonera router (Linuses and Bills) can access them free of charge.

A Linus has a La Fonera, shares WiFi and gets free roaming throughout the FON Community.

A Bill has a La Fonera, shares WiFi, roams for free, and gets 50% of the revenues when an Alien purchases a FON pass at the Bill’s FON Spot.

An Alien does not have a La Fonera router and is not yet sharing broadband with the rest of us. Aliens have an active account with FON, receive community information and access FON Spots by purchasing passes.

NOTE: If you have bought or received a La Fonera and still have the status of “Alien”, your router is not yet registered to your account. Go to “MyFON” and choose “Configure my router” and then “locate my router”. If you are having difficulties, please contact a FON Customer Care representative at https://www.fon.com/support/contactUs.

What is a FON spot?

A FON Spot is a WiFi Hotspot created by a person who has installed a La Fonera router. All FON Spots start with “FON” followed by the customized WiFi signal name given by their owner (FON_Jim_hotspot, FON_CafeRio, etc).

How do I locate FON Spots?

You can find FON spots through our FON WiFi Finder site at http://maps.fon.com.

Powered by Google Earth, the FON Maps allow you to zoom in and locate FON Spots on individual street corners. FON Spot locations can also be downloaded directly to users’ PDA’s, laptops, mobile devices.

How do I connect to FON Spots?

To connect to a FON Spot, you will need a WiFi enabled device (laptop, WiFi phone, game console, etc) with a web browser or FON connection manager (https://www.fon.com/en/support/fonMaterials) that allows you to login and access the service.

How do I buy and use a FON pass?

You can purchase FON passes at any FON Spot around the world. Just connect to the FON Spot’s WiFi signal, open your web browser and follow the instructions for purchasing access. And if you watch one of our FON videos, you actually get 15 minutes of access for free!

How can I use the FON passes I have purchased?

If you already have credit (passes) in your account, you can use it to connect without needing to buy additional passes.

1. Connect with a FON Spot; try to open any webpage like www.wikipedia.org, so the FON Spot captive portal shows up.
2. Log in with you FON account details (email and password)
3. The following four options: "Buy a pass via SMS", "Buy a Pass", "Redeem a Promo Code" and "Use Pass" will be shown. Click on the 'connect' button in the Use pass option.
4. You get an overview of your remaining passes.
5. Click on the 'connect' button, your purchased pass will be activated.
6. Your log in will be confirmed and a countdown with the remaining connection time will be shown.

What is WiFi?

WiFi is a term used to describe the underlying technology of wireless local area networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11 specifications. A person with a WiFi-enabled device, such as a computer, telephone, or PDA can connect to the Internet when in the proximity of a Wireless Access Point. The great thing about WiFi is that it allows you to connect the Internet without cables, giving you greater freedom of movement either throughout your house, office, or outside.

What is a WiFi Router?

In simple terms, a WiFi router is a hardware device that when connected to a broadband connection emits a signal that can be picked up by WiFi enabled personal computers, laptops, and other gadgets (MP3 players, digital cameras, or game consoles like Sony PSP or Nintendo DS). This permits Internet users to access the Internet without the need for cables that connect their PCs directly to the broadband line. As a result, the WiFi router is in reality an Internet “access point”.

How do I install the La Fonera?

The simple process of installing your La Fonera router is made up of two basic steps. The first one is installing the La Fonera by connecting it to your existing broadband internet connection. The second is registering the La Fonera router, which places your FON hotspot on the FON WiFi locator and gives you the ability to access other FON hotspots for free.

Here is how to get started.

What is the La Fonera Management Console?

The Management Console is a graphical user interface (GUI). In other words, it is a tool that lets you interact with the La Fonera’s firmware. It uses graphical icons and visual indicators to show all the customizable features offered and supported by the router.

When should I use the Management Console?

In most cases, you will never need to use the Management Console. You simply connect the La Fonera router to your broadband router or cable modem, follow the basic installation steps and the router is ready to use. However, there are some very specific instances where you may be required to enter the Management Console and change some of the router’s settings.

Here are some examples that may require you to configure the La Fonera through the Management Console:

• Your broadband connection works on with a ‘PPPoE/PPPTP’ or with a ‘static IP’ protocol.
• Where the WiFi device you want to use to connect to La Fonera has different settings from those used on La Fonera by default. For example, the Nintendo DS console uses a WEP authentication method while La Fonera’s default is WPA-WPA2, requiring you to change the La Fonera’s authentication method.

If you are not sure whether you should access and make changes in the Management Console, please contact us for assistance.

How do I access the La Fonera’s Management Console?

You can access the Management Console by connecting to the La Fonera’s private signal (Myplace), entering the address 192.168.10.1 into your web browser and then logging in with the username “admin” and password “admin”.

I can see and connect to MyPlace but I can't see FON_. What should I do?

If you only see the MyPlace signal but not the FON_ one, this means that your La Fonera has not yet been correctly connected to the Internet.

This is often due to the fact that your ISP uses the PPPoE/PPPTP mode. If this is the case, please do the following:

1. Connect to your private signal (MyPlace), open your browser and type http://192.168.10.1 in the address line.
2. Go to 'Advanced > Internet Connection' (You will be prompted for a username and password, both are "admin" by default) and change the 'Mode' from 'DHCP' to 'PPPoE' or 'PPTP' (depending on the authentication method your ISP uses). Fill out the required fields with the connection details provided by your ISP provider and save the changes.
3. After a restart the La Fonera authenticates with your ISP and you will have internet access. Now you should see the FON_ signal and can proceed with registering the La Fonera.

NOTE: The La Fonera only accepts 32 characters in the username field. The username provided by ISPs in Germany is sometimes longer than that, so the La Fonera in that case can only be used behind a DSL router and not in PPPoE mode.

Another reason for not seeing the FON_ signal, could also be related to using static IPs, rather than DHCP, on your network if this is the case your will also need to access the La Fonera’s management console (following the above method) and once there go to Go to 'Advanced > Internet Connection' set “Static IP” and enter a valid IP accordingly to your network.

If neither PPPoE nor Static IP is your case, please ensure the Ethernet cable is correctly connected on both sides and if possible try using a different one. If the FON_ signal still not showing, please contact a Customer Care representative at https://www.fon.com/support/contactUs.

Why do I lose my Internet connection every few minutes?

Having a weak or unstable WiFi connection can be related to many things such as any physical materials that may block the La Fonera’s signal from spreading or having many other WiFi signals causing interference. Make sure you are close enough to La Fonera or that there are not thick walls (or other materials) in between you and the La Fonera. If you are still experiencing disconnections try out the following things:

1. Change the La Fonera’s WiFi channel, the best are 11, 1 and 6 - in that order. To change La Fonera’s WiFi channel, you need to access it’s management console and once there go to "Advanced > Wireless Settings" then finally change the channel. Note: An application such as 'Netstumbler' (http://www.netstumbler.com) may be useful for finding out unused channels.
2. Change the La Fonera’s "Authentication" and "Cipher" methods.To change La Fonera’s “authentication” and “Cipher” methods, you need to access it’s management console and once there go to "Private WiFi". We suggest using the following settings:
   Authentication: WPA/WPA2 mixed
   Cypher: mixed
   However the WiFi adapter (network card) or operating system on your WiFi device can make necessary a change in those settings.
3. If you are using a computer with an Intel 3945ABG WiFi chipset deactivate the energy saving options of your WiFi adapter. Intel suggests a workaround for this behaviour.
4. Please check, that your PC is not infected by malicious software. Also, please make sure that there is no antivirus blocking/preventing the connection.
5. Have you try out connecting with more than one WiFi device? Please, check this out, as the problem may be related to the specific device you are using to connect.
6. You may use a tool like ‘Netstumbler’, to visualize the signal strength. If you believe it to be weak and you are close to La Fonera, please send a screenshot from this measurement to a Customer Care representative..
7. Lastly, you may buy a USB wireless adapter which should fix the issue if you have a wireless card that is causing issues.

Why is the MAC Address online different than the one found on my router?

If you look at your router information in your My FON user area at fon.com, you will notice that the MAC ID is different than the one found at the bottom of the router.

This is nothing to be worried about. Both MAC IDs are associated with the same router. The MAC ID in your My FON user area is associated with the FON_ signal. This MAC ID includes information such as who has connected to your FON Spot, which FON Spots you’ve connected to in the past, and your FON Spot’s status.

The MAC ID found at the bottom of your La Fonera router refers to the LAN port and is assigned to your purchase and warranty information. We use this MAC ID when you request a refund, replacement, or anything else involving the FON Shop.

How can I change the email address linked to my FON account?

Create a new FON account with the new email address you wish to use for FON.

If you have a La Fonera router registered to your current account, please contact a Customer Care representative with the following information ready:

• Your router’s MAC ID (found at the bottom of the router)
• Your old email address
• Your new registered email address

This information is necessary information for our representatives to assign your router(s) to your new account. You may reach a Customer Care representative at https://www.fon.com/support/contactUs.

How do I reset my La Fonera router?

If your La Fonera router is not connecting you to the Internet or appears as offline in your My FON user area, we suggest that you “reboot” the router by performing a power cycling (unplugging the power cable and plugging it back in after waiting one minute).

However, if you would like to restore the La Fonera to its original factory settings, you can reset it by pushing the reset button located at its base for 15 to 60 seconds until the power light is the only one lit. Once the power light is the only one lit, release the button and wait for the reset process to be carried out, this might take up to 30 minutes since your La Fonera will be synchronizing with our servers. After that, the La Fonera has its default configuration.

Can you ship your products to anywhere in the World?

We wish we could, but at the moment the answer is no. We are only able to ship to the countries which are listed on our Online Shop. These are listed when you first visit the Online Shop site.

How long does delivery take?

We do our best to deliver your order as soon as possible. Usually it takes no more than 2 weeks. If you don't receive anything by this time, please contact a Customer Care representative, providing them with your full name and the I-EU/I-US invoice number (which you will find on the PDF that was sent with the confirmation email you received), so that we can give you detailed information about the status.

However, please keep in mind that it can take a maximum of 30 days to reach certain areas.

Why are my roaming privileges on hold?

Your roaming privileges are on hold because our servers have not received a heartbeat signal from your La Fonera router for over three weeks. You may restore them by reconnecting your La Fonera router so that it is active again. It may take a few days for your privileges to be restored after you have reconnected the router, so please be patient.

If you believe this is an issue with your router or that there has been a mistake, please contact one of our Customer Care representatives at https://www.fon.com/support/contactUs with your concerns.

Payment methods

The day passes can be paid with PayPal or Click&Buy. Both online services are very secure and provide a great transparency, so you always keep a good overview about your transactions. You can easily purchase items with your credit card (Visa/Master) or by using the balance on your Paypal account. Click&Buy offers an automatic debit transfer system. Having a credit card makes it easy, but it is not indispensable. Accounts at both services are free of charge. More information you can get on the PayPal or Click&Buy pages.

The 1 hour passes can be purchased in a growing number of countries through the SMS payment method. Please follow the steps on the FON Spot Access Portal.

At the FON Shop the PayPal service is available. No other payments, as for example direct bank transfer is possible.

How do I know the final price of my purchase?

To get the overall price, please add all the desired products to your shopping cart. You'll get the final price including the shipping costs and taxes that apply to your country. Please, be aware that there are toll fees applying in some countries. It is possible to add or remove items any time.