Karma Provider Encourages Users to Share Traffic

Karma startup , the world's first socialist-based Internet service provider, recently stepped out of the TechStars NY incubator . It will reward users who share WiFi traffic with strangers.

The system is designed like this. Karma hotspots themselves cost $ 69 and work in Clearwire's WiMax 4G network. There is no subscription fee, the cost of traffic is fixed at $ 14 per gigabyte. If you share access for everyone, then any stranger can connect to the hotspot, log in via Facebook and get 100 megabytes for free. At the same time, a 100 MB bonus is also accrued to the owner of the hotspot.

By constantly distributing traffic, the user can always surf the Internet for free all the time, but at the same time he turns into a “walking billboard" for the provider.

The startup just received venture financing in the amount of $ 1 million, so the founders got money to implement the original idea. They hope to begin work in New York before the end of this year.

Interestingly, the news about Karma appeared on the same day when one of the largest US telecom Verizon introduced a new line of tariff plans with up to ten devices and new wireless charging principles. 4 gigabytes of traffic cost $ 30 per month, but you need to add $ 10-40 per month for each device (tablets for $ 10, smartphones for $ 40). Voice services are delivered "to the load" in unlimited quantities. Experts say Verizon tariffs could be a model for other mobile operators.

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