BT SmartHub 2

[Graham J]

Just helped a friend connect one of these. His ISP is BT - the VDSL
login is ***@business.btclick.com

It shows its SSID (BTB-HNFMKQ) and key; and I can see that and connect
to it from my laptop.

I use a WiFi analyser on an Android phone, and can see that WiFi signal.
On the same channel and at the same strength there is another network
called EE-WiFi, generated by the BT Smart Hub 2. Confirmed by powering
of the BT Smart Hub 2 - both WiFi signals disappear at the same time.

So why does this router generate two SSIDs? And why on the same channel?

[Mark Carver]

Just helped a friend connect one of these.  His ISP is BT - the VDSL
It shows its SSID (BTB-HNFMKQ) and key; and I can see that and connect
to it from my laptop.
I use a WiFi analyser on an Android phone, and can see that WiFi signal.
 On the same channel and at the same strength there is another network
called EE-WiFi, generated by the BT Smart Hub 2.  Confirmed by powering
of the BT Smart Hub 2 - both WiFi signals disappear at the same time.
So why does this router generate two SSIDs?  And why on the same channel?

Don't all BT/EE Hubs generate a public access WiFi network by default,
for anybodypassing by with a BT or EE account to connect to ? It's BT's
idea of philanthropy.

[JMB99]

Post by Mark Carver
Don't all BT/EE Hubs generate a public access WiFi network by default,
for anybodypassing by with a BT or EE account to connect to ?  It's BT's
idea of philanthropy.

It was a way of getting wider WiFi coverage originally, in an urban area
you could usually find a signal.

You could opt out but most did not. either because they did not know
they could or because they occasionally found the service useful.

[Tim+]

Post by JMB99

Post by Mark Carver
Don't all BT/EE Hubs generate a public access WiFi network by default,
for anybodypassing by with a BT or EE account to connect to ?  It's BT's
idea of philanthropy.

It was a way of getting wider WiFi coverage originally, in an urban area
you could usually find a signal.
You could opt out but most did not. either because they did not know
they could or because they occasionally found the service useful.

Random roaming Wi-Fi is nearly always worse than 4G or even 3G!

Tim

[JMB99]

Post by Tim+
Random roaming Wi-Fi is nearly always worse than 4G or even 3G!

But when introduced these either did not exist or had very little coverage.

[Rupert Moss-Eccardt]

Post by Graham J
Just helped a friend connect one of these. His ISP is BT - the VDSL
It shows its SSID (BTB-HNFMKQ) and key; and I can see that and connect
to it from my laptop.
I use a WiFi analyser on an Android phone, and can see that WiFi signal.
On the same channel and at the same strength there is another network
called EE-WiFi, generated by the BT Smart Hub 2. Confirmed by powering
of the BT Smart Hub 2 - both WiFi signals disappear at the same time.
So why does this router generate two SSIDs? And why on the same channel?

It used to be called BT-WiFi and originally "Fon".
As part of the "deal" the sub can use any BT/EE Wi-Fi they find as long
as they, too, offer it from their premises.

I think the business version is slightly different to the "home"
version in that it can offered as a free service rather than requiring
the "visitors" to have a BT ID.

[RayG]

Just helped a friend connect one of these.  His ISP is BT - the VDSL login is
It shows its SSID (BTB-HNFMKQ) and key; and I can see that and connect to it
from my laptop.
I use a WiFi analyser on an Android phone, and can see that WiFi signal.  On the
same channel and at the same strength there is another network called EE-WiFi,
generated by the BT Smart Hub 2.  Confirmed by powering of the BT Smart Hub 2 -
both WiFi signals disappear at the same time.
So why does this router generate two SSIDs?  And why on the same channel?

The EE router also has the ability to provide a Guest Wi-Fi to which you can
assign your own password or leave it open.

[[e-mail]]

Just helped a friend connect one of these. His ISP is BT - the VDSL
It shows its SSID (BTB-HNFMKQ) and key; and I can see that and connect
to it from my laptop.
I use a WiFi analyser on an Android phone, and can see that WiFi signal.
On the same channel and at the same strength there is another network
called EE-WiFi, generated by the BT Smart Hub 2. Confirmed by powering
of the BT Smart Hub 2 - both WiFi signals disappear at the same time.
So why does this router generate two SSIDs? And why on the same channel?
--
Graham J

If you are a residential customer a BT router will show EE-WiFi (formerly BT-WiFi) which BT broadband and mobile customers can log into or one can pay for access.
If you are a BT business customer IIRC you also get this, but in addition the subscriber can optionally make the SSID BT_Guest freely available to all, without sign in.

[Brian Gregory]

So why does this router generate two SSIDs?  And why on the same channel?

You have to have two Wi-Fi radios if you wanted them to be on different
channels.