Facetime & Internet Access

Tommo781

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here goes.

I would like genuine opinions please and what other people think about what happened to me recently.

We had friends from abroad staying, and they came complete with an IPad. Without us knowing they got our WiFi access code (it is always on the back of a BT hub). They just assumed this was OK. They then used Facetime to speak to their daughters and granddaughter, all who live abroad – THREE TIMES A DAY. It was horrendous. They sat in the lounge for an hour at a time, contacting one then the other, having video conversations, expecting us to join in, the granddaughter being encouraged to show off etc etc. It drove us round the bend, especially when the baby had a rash in an embarrassing place, which was exhibited for all to see. Because of the time difference, breakfast was a shambles, because of calls going back and forth on the b****y IPad. At 10pm one evening my husband and I were out of the room. I went back into the lounge to catch up on the news and the TV was a blank screen. “What’s the matter with the tele” I said, thinking it had gone wrong. They had turned it off so they could use the b****y IPad without background noise. How rude is that??????????

They had a bedroom, so why couldn't they use it to Facetime?

But the final straw came the day after they left. I got an EMail to say my monthly Broadband usage was nearly used up. My package has 10gb a month. I don’t pay extra for unlimited broadband, cos I don’t need it. I only usually use about 4gb a month. Before they came I had uploaded a lot of photos to have them printed, but I couldn’t imagine that was masses, as I have done it before. So I contacted BT, and they said it was due to Facetime!!!!!!!! It eats up broadband usage. They were very good when I explained what had happened, and gave me an extra month for free as they could see I never use anywhere near my allowance, but if I hadn’t said anything I would have automatically been charged for anything over the 10gb.

Does anyone else agree that there should be such a thing as WiFi etiquette when using someone elses Broadband?

Tommo781

espresso wrote: »

So how much are you paying for your 10GB per month? You are probably paying more than most others who have totally unlimited broadband. A limit of 10GB per month is simply not enough for most users these days, although I have always had unlimited and would never consider a capped package. If you don't want visitors to obtain your wifi password then change it!

I actually pay a lot less than an unlimited package, and it includes all my calls. I am more than happy with it. What I was really asking is whether everyone thinks it is OK for visitors to assume they can use your WiFi without even asking.

JJ_Egan

WiFi Etiquette code of little use your visitors don't appear to be the sort that have etiquette full stop .

jje

duchy

Too late now but if you invite them again - change the network key before they arrive and tell them the internet is broken or tell them you got a big bill last time as you are on a limited program so could they please just facetime once a day ....and suggest your local MacDonalds or other free wi-fi if they need more time than that .

If someone pinched my network key without asking - the next morning the hub would have disappeared and I'd have told them it was broken

Tommo781

JJ_Egan wrote: »

WiFi Etiquette code of little use your visitors don't appear to be the sort that have etiquette full stop .

jje

duchy wrote: »

Too late now but if you invite them again - change the network key before they arrive and tell them the internet is broken or tell them you got a big bill last time as you are on a limited program so could they please just facetime once a day ....and suggest your local MacDonalds or other free wi-fi if they need more time than that .

If someone pinched my network key without asking - the next morning the hub would have disappeared and I'd have told them it was broken

Thanks very much. I now know I am not alone in my thinking. I wish I had realised what was going to happen the first time they used Facetime. If I had, I would have done something with the hub before they arrived.

Again, thanks for the support.

LeafGreen

it sounds like you have your TV on 24x7!!

(I do think your friends behaviour was rude)

mattyprice4004

I agree - that'd have annoyed me. It's common courtesy to ask and use such a service.

Tommo781

grahamgoo wrote: »

it sounds like you have your TV on 24x7!!

(I do think your friends behaviour was rude)

:D TV was on for a previous programme, then the news. It's not on 24/7, but I will admit to leaving it on sometimes when it could be off.

Thanks for your agreement as well. I realise it ain't just me.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Put me down as another person who thinks it was rude of the visitors not to ask first.