Startups propose broadband sharing to improve speed

Two startups are working on systems that will allow consumers to share their DSL or cable connections and pool their bandwidth to improve throughput. San Diego's Mushroom Networks and Seattle's WinBoost have separately created devices that can aggregate multiple connections; WinBoost uses a wireless antenna that needs to be mounted externally, while Mushroom has built a device it calls an aggregator, which can combine both wired and wireless broadband connections to improve throughput (as illustrated above). While both companies are quick to point out that they want to work with service providers, most telcos and cable companies have strict rules about sharing bandwidth, and are unlikely to give these setups their blessing (unless, of course, they can get a cut of whatever the companies charge consumers). But, hey, if you're real quiet about it, and don't tell anyone except your neighbors, maybe you can pull it off.

[Preston Wily @ Jan 16th 2006 12:40PM]

Forget sharing with other people... you can aggregate broadband from two different sources with one of these nifty broadband aggregators from splitronic:



http://sewelldirect.com/Splitronic-Broadband-Aggregator.asp

[Nick Spacek @ Jan 16th 2006 1:56PM]

Hmm, wouldn't that mean you have to pay for both the connections? I thought the idea of sharing would be to keep it cheaper as well...I could be wrong though, and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with what you said!! ;D



Nick

[Steve Robinson @ Jan 16th 2006 4:03PM]

Or why not use your current system with the Radiuz service http://www.radiuz.net

[TC @ Jan 16th 2006 4:16PM]

Sheesh, I've already got a 20-1 contention ratio on my ADSL, now I've gotta share that with another 8 people? Bring me back my trusty 56K modem........

[matt @ Jan 16th 2006 11:34PM]

that's intense. it would be interesting to see how the networking affects speed. What kind of growth would be expected? As one connection gets "bogged" down, another picks up the slack, complementing the first. Very interesting.

[Preston Wily @ Jan 18th 2006 8:55AM]

In response to Nick's comment - yes, it would cost more, but you would have twice the bandwidth and a failsafe if your internet ever went down.

That means you can hedge your bets on losing connectivity by aggregating a cable line and a DSL line. Probably more than most home users want to do, but a whole lot cheaper and reliable than popping for a T1.