Connect to EE routers over Wi-Fi from EE Mobile SIM

[Beer24]

Hi,

I'm an EE SIM only customer and also a Plusnet Broadband customer (both parts of the greater BT Group Plc empire).

When I'm out and about, I often see EE Routers come up on my W-Fi  "Networks available" list, yet when I try to connect to them, I get prompted for an EE Broadband or BT Broadband user ID to log in, but I don't think I have one.

I've tried my Plusnet Broadband ID, but that doesn't seem to work.

The bottom line question is, can I "piggyback" onto EE Routers via Wi-Fi? if so, how?

If not, can this be added on, as I'm a customer for both products as part of the BT Group?

[Schockwave]

Hello @Beer24 ,

Welcome to the community,

Are you trying to use public or private routers? You cannot just connect and use someone else’s router, so not sure what you are trying to do.

[Beer24]

Yes, I'm trying to connect to EE customer's routers, which advertise their availability.  i.e. yes, "piggybacking" onto a private router. But I am very sure that this is a standard facility for EE Broadband and BT customers to be able to do. When I try to connect, I see a corporate splash screen and am invited to log in using an EE or BT broadband customer ID. BUt as I am a Plusnet customer, it doesn't seem to work, I can only assume that we are the "poor relations" of the BT Group Empire.....

[XRaySpeX]

There is a public WiFi network known as EE WiFi whereby certain EE & BT BB users allow their routers to be accessed & contribute to that public network. This public network can be used for free by other New EE & BT BB users. Anybody else incl. PN users. need to pay to access EE WiFi.

[Beer24]

Yes, that's my experience.

But I was hoping that it was just that I was ignorant of the method for Plusnet BB customers to make use of the same facility as BT and EE BB customers, as I was hoping that we were all part of the "great big happy BT GROUP Plc Family".......

Maybe someone from EE will take this up as a policy question and see if it could be changed?

[XRaySpeX]

"Happy" is a subjective word!

I would have thought it was a matter of PN's policy, not EE's.

[Schockwave]

@Beer24 , if you are wanting to access someone’s personal wifi, then you would need permission before you can do so, if they have a lock on them when you check for wifi in the area you are in, then you certainly need permission, if public then click on it and you should be able to use it once taken to a page and asked to put your email address, this is how it is done in hospitals, or  you are given a PIN code to enter in some places.

[carguy143]

I think the OP is referring to a network that's open to customers like what BT had, known as FON. Basically, home broadband customers could allow their router to be part of this network and in return, it would allow them access to the FON network when out and about. 

As for EE Wifi for pay monthly customers, I have never seen it available near me and looking online suggests it's on London Underground but no further details are given. Is a map available?