Can I ask an almost entirely unrelated question (of everyone)?

In these modern times, should ISPs be providing wireless by default, or is the option for a non wireless router still one some people want to go for (especially if it saves a few pounds?)

Ian

Thank you all for your input.
Perhaps the instructions will be modified to make things clear.

Barry King

After our experience I would always want the option to use a wired connection. We seem to be OK at the moment, but we have had long periods (hours) where we have been unable to connect to our wireless network due to local "interference". Our best guess is that this was caused by a neighbour's burglar alarm, but we still don't know for certain.

Judy

The wireless option is the one i would go for, as you said for a few pounds more.
You may as well have the wireless router
You can enable or disable the wireless setting as per your needs.
With my sisters set up it will be hard wired, WPA encryption with the wireless turned off until needed.
Barry King

Wireless is a BUZZ word with ISP's just like UNLIMITED was....

My opinion, wireless don't appeal to me,

A) I'm a gamer

B) I am conscious on security

C) As a NOOB its daunting to set up

But as a marketing tool I can certainly see its appeal.

I tend to feel that wireless is now almost the norm as more and more of us will use laptops, I'm getting the itch but don't really need one.

Depends on what the savings would be I guess but I suspect not that much. The only proviso I have is that the unit should be a simple plug and play set up with default encryption

Units like the Asus EEEPC will soon be everywhere if the success of this model is anything to go by. Not this exact model by the way, the 4GB one with webcam is the one to go for...if you can get your hands on it that is.

.

Here's a thought. I've jsut had a look on my laptop and there are 5 wireless routers visible from the front of my house. Three of them are unsecure and are obviously as they were straight out of the box. Free internet access anyone?

If an ISP is going to supply wireless routers I would suggest that they should come pre-configured for security and those details be made available to the end-user.

Rich

Totally agree full marks to Plusnet the router sent to my sister was preconfigured with basic WEP encryption.
Barry King.

The problem is though WEP only takes seconds to hack, so is not secure.

> The problem is though WEP only takes seconds to hack, so is not secure

That's true if someone knows what they are doing certainly. I do think routers pre-configured with a WPA key printed on the box are the way forward, and that is pretty standard these days.

I ask because we are in the process of speccing up our next range of equipment. The difference between a single port router and a wireless 4 port (No one seems to do wireless one ports any more) is probably about �15, so it could be quite significant if we are looking to fully subsidise a piece of kit. That especially applies to the lower cost products. At �9.99 a month, it takes a fair old while before we get into the black when offering a free piece of kit.

Let me try a rephrase: Would people rather have the choice to get a single port router for free and pay a bit more for wireless, or is it expected now that wireless comes as standard?

One point I am quite keen on pushing generally - USB modems are evil and bad!

Ian

Edited by IanWild (Wed 23-Jan-08 23:25:52)