Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Just got an email from VM telling me they're planning to change home user's superhubs into wi-fi hot spots. I have a SH2 and it's the first I've heard of this but is it anything to be concerned about?

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

You can opt out as far as I'm aware, although you won't be able to use any of the hot spots via the Virginmedia app if you do.

It's basically what BT do with their hubs and shouldn't impact your connection.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

BT have done this for years. As a BT customer I have often benefited from access to such hotspots wherever I am in the country. At home I have never suffered from having my bandwidth shared because it is quite tightly managed and only releases a small portion of it for the hotspot to use.

If they implement it like BT the hotspot will have a completely different name and IP address but you won't be able to influence the way it works in any way. No blocking protocols, ports, setting up access schedules, a DMZ or anything else you might like to do with your home router.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

I wonder how much power it consumes? And what happens to your access to the hotspots if you habitually turn your router off at night?

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Actually opting out your own hotspot doesn't affect your ability to use the rest of the Virgin Media WiFi service.

---------- Post added at 13:37 ---------- Previous post was at 13:35 ----------

It works differently to BT. A separate service flow is added to the Hub, so it doesn't take anything away from your home connection. Whereas my understand is that for BT it takes some of the overall sync speed for the extra WiFi connection.

So for instance instead of having one 100Mb config, there is for instance 100Mb + 20Mb.

---------- Post added at 13:38 ---------- Previous post was at 13:37 ----------

I'd also point out that this has been running on the Hub 3.0 for ages:

http://www.cableforum.uk/board/showt...php?t=33703961

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Haven't had an email yet, so SH2 are becoming hotspots as well as SH3?

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

The 2ac are, the older 2 isn't.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

ive not had this email and a SH3 user here.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Depends when you got the Hub 3.0

They were switched on early last year, so those customers who already had a Hub 3.0 at that point would have been notified.

Anyone else who got a Hub 3.0 afterwards are covered by the existing T&Cs, and the Hub would have been automatically opted in:
http://www.virginmedia.com/shop/the-...ces.html#using

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

What about if it's in Modem mode?

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Automatically opted out as all the WiFi features of the Hub are disabled.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

That must mean that the Hub "informs" VM when it is in modem mode.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Big brother is watching you.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

If you're using a VM phone/SIM, then the Hub settings are irrelevant.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Yes, there are lots of things that Virgin Media can see about both the broadband and TV kit as part of diagnostic tools.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

The difference is that it would have to send the info when changes are made or you try to use a wifi hotspot, rather than performing a check when a fault is reported.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

If they have the bandwidth to do this on every SH3 then they should be giving ME more upload, not some bloody stranger walking down the street. :mad:

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

If you've got a neighbour with a superhub you could get free wifi using a VM PAYG SIM.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

That's an interesting thought...

Wonder what traffic management they apply to such connections. I imagine there's soft-throttling after a certain data amount :scratch:

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Checks on kit aren't just done when faults are reported.

Anyway for this particular situation, it's really down to the fact that modem mode turns off all the WiFi in the Hubs, rather than any other thing.

---------- Post added at 22:35 ---------- Previous post was at 22:34 ----------

There isn't any traffic management when you're using it.

However there is concurrent device management to restrict the number of devices that will connect to any particular Virgin Media WiFi hotspot coming from a residential Hub.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

How would VM know if I tried to use a hot spot out and about, but had switched my hub at home to modem mode?

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

I have the Hotspot app on my Iphone and it works fine, connecting to it saves on my monthly Giff Gaff data allowance

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Modem mode doesn't affect your usage of the app and Virgin Media WiFi network out and about.

However, each device configured for Virgin Media WiFi is authenticated against your account whenever your connect - either via your My Virgin Media details or via your Virgin Mobile SIM. If your account is not in the correct state for the connection, it's blocked. For instance if an account is suspending for non-payment, or in the case of PAYG you've not topped up within the last 60 days or registered for My Account.

Re: Superhub turning into wi-fi hot spot.
 

Thanks guys. I've opted out.