[roughbeast]

I got this email just now. It appears that, unless we opt out, our Superhubs will, from September, be used as part of the nation-wide VM WiFi network. In exchange we get access to VM WiFi hotspots everywhere, including residential locations and public places like stations, airports and the underground.

I already have a FON router running as a hotspot allowing me to connect to BTFon nation-wide and to FON hotspots world-wide. However, I don't really get how residential customers will contribute significantly to the network. For instance, In the last 10 years only 2 people have logged onto the public signal outside my house. I have frequently logged on to BTFON spots when parked in residential streets, but the signals are often too weak for sustained use or for anything like download or streaming. Are Superhubs likely to perform better for street users than BTFon or FON?

"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. If you have a Virgin Mobile phone and use our WiFi Buddy app, don’t worry, you’ll get a notification to let you know when you can update it to the Virgin Media WiFi app.
If you’d rather not take part, no problem – just let us know. Simply register or sign in to your account at virginmedia.com/myvirginmedia and select My Profile. Bear in mind though, if you do opt out, you won’t be able to use Virgin Media WiFi when you’re out and about.
To find out more, visit our dedicated website at virginmedia.com/virginmediawifi

All the best.
Mark Davidson
Executive Director, Customer Care"

EDIT --------------------I just now did a speed test on the road outside my house. I achieved 10Mb down and 8Mb up, but that is from my Asus router set towards the back of the house. I guess that is good enough if the superhub is as good as the Asus. SH is modem only mode, so I assume that the new firmware works around that config.