BT Fon - have they gone mad??
Got an email from BT the other day telling me my Broadband account included access to thousands of wireless access points across the country. "Ooh that's handy...", thought I.
But it turns out it's using other people's wireless connections and I can only do it if I open up my wireless router for every other Tom, EDITED and Harriet to use...
I thought we were supposed to take our wireless internet security seriously? If they think I'm going to open up mine to any porn down-loader, child molester, pedophile, terrorist etc they've got even less of a clue than I thought...
Madness... utter madness!
roger06:porn down-loader, child molester, pedophile, terrorist etcMadness... utter madness!
roger06:eh?
The assumption that everybody else is some kind of ne'er do well intent on the destruction of civilized society by freeloading off our hard earned and paid for services.
You still have to subscribe to Fon and register a username and password on your account and device so I think it's fairly secure. It's really no different to OpenZone in your local Starbucks (other coffee shops are available)
Yeah but...
1. I'm responsible for anything done, posted, emailed, downloaded etc on my connection...
2. It's still using up my bandwidth!
Yes and no. The user will have their own IP, so BT can demonstrate that it wasn't you. Absolutely on point 2.
Lee H:Yes and no. The user will have their own IP, so BT can demonstrate that it wasn't you.
Doesn't matter - under that new Digital Act thingy rushed in by the last government YOU are responsible for anything on your connection whether it's you or not...
Plus - if a user is using my wireless they'll be assigned a local 192.168... address from my router...
The FON uses a different IP address to the one you'd use in your home. The box broadcasts 2 SSID's, a private one for you and a public one for other FON subscribers.
The FON connection is also limited to 512kbps and your home use is given a higher priority on the router
roger06:2. It's still using up my bandwidth!
And you'd be using up other people's when you were out and about if you signed up. I believe the term is known as "sharing".
So, a well thought idea that would enable a huge number of new wireless hotspots for very little cost with no risk to the user.Lee H:The FON uses a different IP address to the one you'd use in your home. The box broadcasts 2 SSID's, a private one for your and a public one for other FON subscribers.
The FON connection is also limited to 512kbps and your home use is given a higher priority on the router
Looks like the answer to the original question is no, BT have not gone mad.
This has been around for years. I signed up for it. Since I live somewhere remote pretty much no chance of anyone using my bandwidth but I do benefit when I'm out and about using the Iphone or Ipad
Does anyone think before they open their mouth these days?
I used to sell BT broadband and Im familiar with the BT Fon. Its a great idea. Rather than type lots of info I'll post a link
Lay off the Daily Mail Rog!
Oi! - I don't read the blummin' Daily Mail !!! 
Thanks for the extra info Lee.
I still think it's crazy though. As it happens due to my location, the chances of anyone using mine are slim - but I'm not openning it up! The nearest neighbour's house is a second home - they could have a BT BB account for their main house then just come and use mine all weekend! No thanks.
And if it's limited to 512k then why bother? Most people want Wi Fi as it's much quicker than 3G for their smart phones but 512kbps aint !
So I don't read the Mail, and guess a bit of community based sharing all sounds lovely but I stand by my asertion that it's mad. Well OK, I'll retract that and just state that there's no way I'm doing it...
roger06:I still think it's crazy though. As it happens due to my location, the chances of anyone using mine are slim - but I'm not openning it up! The nearest neighbour's house is a second home - they could have a BT BB account for their main house then just come and use mine all weekend! No thanks.
Why on earth would they do that? So rather than sit in their home and use their own broadband, they're going to park themselves in your garden and connect there? Sounds very comfortable! And at any rate, I'm pretty sure this is an optional service? So you don't have to sign up if you don't want to.
roger06:And if it's limited to 512k then why bother? Most people want Wi Fi as it's much quicker than 3G for their smart phones but 512kbps aint !
Because a stable wireless connection is often more useful than a varied mobile phone signal. If all you're doing is browsing the web or checking emails, 512K wireless is all you need really.
Hi Prof
What I mean is the nearest house to me is a second home. The owners live a couple of hundreds of miles away. They could quite easily therefore, not bother installing internet there but just use my connection when they come down for the weekends...
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