BT Steal Your Internet !!!

jamespir

BrianPie wrote: »

I recently found out about BT FON.

For security and health reasons, I dont want wireless.

After 3 days with their poorly trained "helpdesk" in india they tell me it is not possible to disable BT FON or wireless.

I am not happy with BT. I dont want a mobile phone transmitter near my home. I dont want a base transmitter in my home.

do you have a microwave or an oven ? what about a mobile ? they transmit more harmful waves than bt home hub would

BrianPie

littleboo wrote: »

I can turn wireless off on my hub.

Well, good for you. Perhaps you have a different version of the hub? Perhaps you signed up before BT defaulted to making new customers have BT FON.

littleboo wrote: »

It may be that while you are registered with Fon, the option is disabled

If you read with your eyes the post that I wrote, you will see that I have unregistered from BT FON but it is still enabled.

Apparently (as mentioned before) it is down to the version of the BT hub.

jamespir

BrianPie wrote: »

1) So your solution is to ignore the fact that BT prevents me turning off wireless and go out and pay for another router?

I could do that but am slightly unhappy about paying for something AGAIN after already paying for a BT router.

2) Your other solution suggests cutting off the attenae. 2 problems with this, cutting one off doesnt prevent a transmitter from trying to transmit and secondly, it doesnt have one.

you can use the home hub by ethernet theres a cable in the box

macman

BrianPie wrote: »

1) So your solution is to ignore the fact that BT prevents me turning off wireless and go out and pay for another router?

I could do that but am slightly unhappy about paying for something AGAIN after already paying for a BT router.

2) Your other solution suggests cutting off the attenae. 2 problems with this, cutting one off doesnt prevent a transmitter from trying to transmit and secondly, it doesnt have one.

Yes, but I can't quite establish if your objection is ethical or practical? If you have an practical objection, then I've suggested 2 solutions (you can open the router and disconnect the internal antennae if you so wish, or encase it in a lead-lined box if you really want to). Or pay a tenner on eBay for a serviceable wireless router.
But if your objection to FON is ethical, then clearly you just need to change ISP's.

BrianPie

jamespir wrote: »

do you have a microwave or an oven ?

I dont have a microwave. I do have an oven but it doesnt use microwaves to cook.

Other than that, a microwave is normally used for short bursts. A wireless transmitter is on constantly.

jamespir wrote: »

what about a mobile ?

I have a mobile phone but I never hold it to my ear as it gives me headache and makes me dizzy. I use it only on handsfree and not very often.

jamespir wrote: »

they transmit more harmful waves than bt home hub would

How much more? Are you saying you dont get cancer so quickly or are you saying the home hub is harmless?

As mentioned before, as the wireless transmits constantly, it is constant.

But here is a question for you. Would you like a mobile phone base station in your home? Perhaps in the children's playroom?

BrianPie

macman wrote: »

Yes, but I can't quite establish if your objection is ethical or practical? If you have an practical objection, then I've suggested 2 solutions (you can open the router and disconnect the internal antennae if you so wish, or encase it in a lead-lined box if you really want to). Or pay a tenner on eBay for a serviceable wireless router.
But if your objection to FON is ethical, then clearly you just need to change ISP's.

My objection to hosting BT FON is a minor objection.

I object to BT trying to force me to use wireless.

I object to wireless on health and security grounds.

I object to having to pay for a new hub.

Finally I am incensed with BT's India based helpdesk that lead me up the garden path and then refuse to reply to my complaints.

I agree. Changing internet provider seems the only option. It is a shame for BT because I am otherwise happy with the service. It seems someone has made the decision and the company is so big & the helpdesk is so remote, that they are insulated from the reaction,

BrianPie

jamespir wrote: »

you can use the home hub by ethernet theres a cable in the box

Yes. Correct.

However, it continues broadcasting wireless regardless.

The helpful india helpdesk suggested hiding the SSID. They thought I wouldnt notice the BT FON/Openzone signals or the lit blue wireless light.

Sagz_2

I've used BTfon when I'm out and about and haven't had to pay, I just logged in with my BT usename and password.

http://www.btfon.com/ 'FREE to all BT total Broadband customers'.

BrianPie

BrianPie wrote: »

It seems someone has made the decision and the company is so big & the helpdesk is so remote, that they are insulated from the reaction,

BT service reminds me of BA service. Some years ago I tried to complain to BA. It had to be done by fax.

I waited months for a action and finally they said they didnt have it. Convenient.

I used to commute by air but never flew BA since. Extrapolating, they lost 150,000GBP in business over 10years.

BrianPie

Sagz wrote: »

I've used BTfon when I'm out and about and haven't had to pay, I just logged in with my BT usename and password.

So what is your point?

The thread is not about convenience of use.