If you opt-out of a service, you lose it. That seems to be the point of opting out.

OK now I'm really confused! Does changing to a third party router amount to "opting out" or not? Or am I still "opted in" unless I log into my account and specifically say I want to "opt out" of BT WiFi?

You can goto the BT website and OPT OUT of BT WiFI... that's what's being referring to. Using a thrid party router isn't considered opting out by BT. So you'll still be able to use other peoples BT WiFi Hotspots.

It's brightd's post that is confusing, as it reads as if BT authorise the use of other routers. Try this version of the post:-

From the BT WiFi section of My BT:

When you opt your home hub out of BT Wi-fi, we will automatically disable your access to use BT Wi-fi across our millions of hotspots in the UK and abroad.

So if you opt out you also lose access to the hotspots. However, if you just use your own router and do not tell BT that you are opting out then the hotspot access is not affected. I know this because I had no problem accessing the hotspots prior to having my FTTP Infinity 2 deployed. However, since deployment I have seen no reason to replace the HH5.

Edited by RobertoS (Mon 20-Apr-15 13:52:46)

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

It's brightd's post that is confusing, as it reads as if BT authorise the use of other routers.

I thought BT does authorise other routers? Or at least does not forbid it?

Just be aware that if you have BT TV the router has to support Multicasting, otherwise you lose your extra channels. Even some routers that are supposed to support Multicasting still need the Homehub at the start of the chain. I tried to swap the HH for a Netgear Nighthawk - great router but I couldn't get multicasting to work without the HH still connected to the modem.

I've noticed TalkTalk routers have a second virtual circuit set up in addition to PPPoA, a bridged connection of VPI 0 VCI 65 (I think, can't check because I deleted it), for TalkTalk TV.

Not sure if the HH has something similar (maybe hidden) which may need to be configured on the third party router. Some routers don't support more than one virtual circuit at all.

Just a minor point/condition - you must have your wireless turned on at home, or no "free" BT Phon/BT WiFi.

In reply to a post by lelboy:

Just a minor point/condition - you must have your wireless turned on at home, or no "free" BT Phon/BT WiFi.

It doesn't matter what router you have set up at home or how it's configured, as long as BT Wifi is enabled in the online control panel, you can use BT Wifi out and about.

Hello Oliver, That's the only point I made - many that don't use their wifi facility at home often turn it off, for reasons best known to themselves. I have no idea about alternative routers.