Virgin Media to make your WiFi hub public access

anotherbaldrick

peachyprice wrote: »

How? If they're driving past they won't be in need of wifi so will have no idea there's a hotspot there.

And why would they need to use your wifi to make calls when they can use their phone anywhere they like without a hotspot?

Totally paranoid reaction.

I rather suspect the Virgin will be making a map available for all their hotspot ares

Nilrem

IIRC the VM scheme won't use your own wifi network but create a secondary one that is separate to your personal one, and will require users log in via their VM account/app.

This is similar to what a lot of the better home routers you can buy yourself can do, for example the Asus N66U can have (from memory)
1x 2.4ghz guest wifi account that has no access to your internal network traffic.
1x 2.4ghz LAN WiFi account that has a different log in and allows access to your LAN
Then the same on the 5ghz frequencies.

It's also superior to the BT version because with Cable VM can use additional bandwidth rather than take it from your connection speed (I can't remember how many tuners the current VM modems have, but they have at least 4, so count very easily have 3 or more tuners for your bandwidth, then a separate one for the public access point).

anotherbaldrick

Nilrem wrote: »

IIRC the VM scheme won't use your own wifi network but create a secondary one that is separate to your personal one, and will require users log in via their VM account/app.

Yes , but it will be radiating the public access network from the hub in my house , the one I am sitting next to and paying rental for. I now suspect this is why they insisted on changing my hub when I changed my package a short while back. If they had been forthright and said what was afoot at the time it might have been a different matter. I knew there was nothing wrong with the old hub

As an aside the television signal from Virgin has just gone down again, thats the third time this month. usually for 4 or 5 hours each time.

enfield_freddy

this is like the fonera system , first started vin Europe , the owner of the hub got paid (pennies) every time it was accessed


BT caught on to this , however they forgot the "pay pennies" bit


and just charged and pocketed it , leaving the hub owner having to waste his time trying to op out of the system

visidigi

Looking forward to them turning this on with the Superhub set in Modem mode

VisionMan

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

It's there because it is a bus stop. but that does not mean cars don't use it , usually leave having flung their takeaway wrapping out the window.

A bus stop? Move immediately. They look through your windows you know.

anotherbaldrick

VisionMan wrote: »

A bus stop? Move immediately. They look through your windows you know.

Only single deckers.

Here is the full Monty.

Free WiFi access is coming to your area

Hi
We’re setting part of our powerful network free. So you can get online in places you never imagined – out and about and even underground. That includes all sorts of places near your home, on the tube, at the airport and around city centres.
Get ready for free WiFi access
In September, we’re enabling lots of Virgin Media Super Hubs (including the one in your home) to create new WiFi areas across the UK. As a Virgin Media customer, you’ll be able to access them all for free. With our clever service, you can automatically connect to smooth, speedy WiFi, wherever it’s available. That means you can crack on with tweeting, WhatsApping, Facebooking and more on the go, without eating up your mobile data allowance.
How does it work?
We’ll switch on a separate internet connection to your Super Hub, which will become part of the WiFi network. But don’t worry, the broadband you love and pay for will stay exclusively yours – and remain just as secure.
Do I need to do anything?
You don’t have to lift a finger because there’s no installation or faff. Just sit back and enjoy your broadband as you do now. We’ll let you know when it’s up and running so you can download your Virgin Media WiFi app and get connected.

Wonder what energy they will radiate at ?

Nilrem

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Only single deckers.

Here is the full Monty.



Wonder what energy they will radiate at ?

Probably the same as normal wifi, so about 100mw max.

Assuming you don't opt out.

rockin_plumber

JJ_Egan wrote: »

No i am not if i opt out .

I assume this reply means you think if you opt out you will be able to use the hotspots when out and about?

Quite rightly Virgin Media will prevent users from using hotspots should they opt out....

Customers will be able to opt-out of the new service through their ‘My VM Account’ page, but those that do won’t be able to use any of the related Virgin hotspots

rockin_plumber

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

They would not be driving here to get it, as said, we are on a main road with lay-by . Drivers passing would soon know our house was a location they could stop outside and make their calls and whatever. We could do without the noise that is going to cause.

I have to say I don't think this would be a problem, I cant even get a signal in my bedroom from my superhub, so people getting it from outside the house shouldnt be an issue.
Its well documented that the Wi-Fi range on the superhub is pretty awful.