My router is a BT Openzone Hotspot - on Plusnet !

Hello,

I have been using a BT Business Hub (2Wire 2700HGV), it was recently upgraded automatically to new firmware that has enabled an additional wireless SSID for BT Openzone.

I have used my wireless laptop to logon to my router's Openzone SSID and accessed the Openzone network ........ via my Plusnet connection!

I have raised a ticket with Plusnet to ask if they were aware that this is possible.

I am not sure about the implications for usage, the BT website says that any usage via the Openzone connection is not included within the users allowance, is this because it is routed differently at the exchange? If so it will be the same on a Plusnet connection I guess.

I can disable the Openzone SSID though for some reason this effects the router's abilty to recognise connected devices correctly. I have contacted BT tech people in this regard and they are due to get back to me.

It seems that this situation might be replicated for Home Hub users, some Home Hubs broadcast a BT Fon connection sharing SSID.


Regards.

There have been an issue with the early roll-out of this new firmware, have a response from BT in my inbox, but currently not able to dig it out - will do later

Thanks, that would be most useful.


Regards.

Note had chance to write up the news, so here is the statement unedited.

STATEMENT:
- Over the past six months, BT has been offering existing BT Business Broadband customers the ability to upgrade their BT Business Hub to become a public Wi-Fi hotspot via a firmware upgrade via a separate and secure channel.
- The intention has always been to have the BT Openzone service set to disabled until the customer chose to opt in.
- At an early stage during the roll out however, it emerged that a batch of the hubs contained a firmware irregularity which reset the hub and automatically accepted Openzone. Unfortunately, the accompanying customer communications stated that the hub would be automatically disabled (per the original roll out plan)
- BT immediately stopped the rollout and retrospectively and manually disabled BT Openzone from these customers' hubs, one by one.
- Replacing the firmware for customers with the affected hubs, would have significantly delayed rollout. Because some of our customers were keen to have the service, the decision to continue with deployment was made last week, with clear email notification alerting affected customers to the upgrade ahead of time. 4,000 existing hub customers have now received the firmware and all prior correspondence has been clear as to how to opt-out.
- A further 20,000 customers are potentially affected by this version of the firmware, and before we continue roll out we are reviewing the communications process to ensure it is transparent and gives customers choice as to whether to accept the service.
- The vast majority (200,000) of existing BT Business Broadband customers are not affected by this problem - their hubs are upgraded as BT Openzone 'disabled'. They can choose to opt into the service as usual.
- BT Business's intention by offering a free public Wi-Fi hotspot is to allow small to medium sized businesses - such as restaurants, hotels and cafes - the opportunity to securely provide a popular business service for their customers, suppliers and partners.
- Regarding bandwidth, as stated in the public FAQ which is provided to all customers www.bt.com/business/help/openwifi , up to a maximum of 512kb/s of the hub owner's bandwidth can be used by visitors when the BT Openzone hotspot is in use. In the majority of cases, this is not noticed however we advise customers with speeds of less than one 1Mb/s not to opt into the service.

Many thanks Andrew, very intersting info however I suspect that it is separate though related issue.

I reckon the first v6 firmware (6.1.1.48) is the version mentioned in the statement which had Openzone enabled by default.

I have the 6.1.1.48.1 firmware which is designed to have Openzone disabled by default, mine was, and I can enable and disable Openzone with ease

The issue is that when I disable Openzone the router does recognise connected devices though as soon as Openzone is re-enabled the devices are recognised again.

Would you be able to ask your BT contact about this issue?



With thanks and best regards.

Edited by 50pence (Tue 10-Mar-09 17:56:23)

Unless you have the router through some official agreement I doubt it, i.e. bets may be off on what does/doesn't work when moved away from their network. Plusnet should have the contacts and as part of the group probably more success.

Actually to the contrary, I have spoken to BT tech and they have no issue with the router being on Plusnet and are taking it very seriously - albeit with no solution in sight.

However your contact seems to be very much in the know from the statement you posted hence I wondered if you could mention this issue.

Plusnet have simply suggested that I contact BT "BT will have technical support lines for this type of router".

Best regards.

Mine has upgraded itself as well,but I have no problem with wireless devices once openzone is turned off.
Unfortunatly the javascript fix for adding your username no longer works so I cant change between the plusnet and bt login so I am stuck on the plusnet login I was using when it upgraded.
I will have to flash my spare with the sing tel firmware and hope BT cant upgrade that.

Info on how to configure v6 firmware for use with other ISPs is documented here:

http://bt2700hgv.tripod.com/ir1002700HGV.htm

Edited by bill888 (Tue 10-Mar-09 18:45:17)

Thanks for the link! Is it the router that initiates the upgrade or is it being pushed from a remote server?