f2s Openzone Billing Enhancement

[richard_f2s]

Today we are activating a new panel in your members area. This new panel titled "Your PayAsYouGo Wifi Details" will allow you to monitor your usage when you use our WiFi Hotspot service (which we operate in conjunction with BT Openzone).

For those of you "in the know" this marks the start of proper billing for the PAYG service and we've designed this section so that you can review your connect times, connect locations and charges in one section.

Customers are automatically provisioned with this access switched on (as has been the case since launch), however we've provided the ability for you to switch off the PAYG service if you decide you don't want to use it. Once switched off, you also have the ability to switch it back on.

We anticipate that we'll complete the provisioning of this new feature by the end of the day.

Richard

[kmount]

Oooh...

[stephenc]

Originally Posted by richard_f2s

For those of you "in the know" this marks the start of proper billing for the PAYG service and we've designed this section so that you can review your connect times, connect locations and charges in one section.

Awwwww Richard.........the game is well and truly up but it was good while it lasted.

I did log in at Stansted the other day on my way back from a meeting and at least it worked (as it had stopped while you guys plugged the gap) so just have to start paying for it now

[Old_Crow]

Originally Posted by richard_f2s

...
Customers are automatically provisioned with this access switched on (as has been the case since launch), however we've provided the ability for you to switch off the PAYG service if you decide you don't want to use it. Once switched off, you also have the ability to switch it back on.
...
Richard

Unused services should always be turned OFF by default - it's a basic tenet of good security. Why should this not be adopted for f2s customers? We should all learn from Microsoft's bad experience with Windows networking.

Tony

[stephenc]

not sure it really is a security hole or flaw if it is on or off. To use it you need to have a wireless ready device (laptop for instance), have that device in a BT Openzone area (like an airport) and have a f2s membersarea username and password.

If someone had such a the device and was in a BT Openzone area and they somehow managed to have your username and password to your members area they could switch access to it on or off themselves. The flaw would be them having access to your details not wether the service was switched on or off surely.

I also prefer it being listed in the members area as it can be documented and charged back to my employer as an expense.

[richard_f2s]

Tony - we went back and forth on this several times and concluded that from a customer standpoint it would be more convenient for them to be pre-provisioned with the service so that if at some point when out and about they could at a pinch go to an Openzone hotspot and be able to get online on an ad-hoc basis.

It is secured with a username and password on a fully secured and encrypted link...

[aos101]

Is this now meant to show up for anyone with an active F2S account? I just have a domain with F2S and it isn't showing in my members area that I can see.

[Justin]

Can't see it either.

[atsw]

It's there for me, but then again I've got F2S ADSL. Given that billing for the F2S Wifi is done on a monthly cycle, I can't see how it would work for those of you with services which only bill on an Annual or Bi-Annual basis.

Andrew

[aos101]

I don't see why it wouldn't work. F2S bill me £0.00 every month for my VoIP account I never use (and can't now because they stopped access to the server from outside the F2S network).

[richard_f2s]

Guys - you're right and we'll be addressing non ADSL customers who have monthly billing account in the next few days...

[John]

I see it, now I just need Openzone near me

[stephenc]

over 10,000 in the UK....try your local McDonalds as a start

http://btopenzone.hotspot-directory.com/

[John]

I don't often take my laptop for walks with me, its a huuuuge monster HP ZD7000 laptop (that for those not in the know is one of those laptops with a 17" wide screen) and weights about 10 tonnes , well not quite that much but its rather heavy to lug around. In another 6 months I will change for a new Laptop probably and get a new 17" HP which are much smaller and lighter.

[Myke]

Had my first go on a wireless hotspot (BTOPENZONE), use wireless at home all the time so knew how to connect, was well surprised at how easy it were to get up and running at the services on the motorway. Even held a video msn conversation with the person i was on the way to meet, was a good speed. (I was still sat on my coach in the car park and the signal was strong!)

Well done BT, and well done F2S for allowing us something without problems.

Saying that my ADSL is a lot better the last 2 months.

Ah what the hell, well done

[richard_f2s]

Originally Posted by Myke

Ah what the hell, well done

Aww thanks Myke!! Careful though - it's addictive, long journeys interspersed with frequent stops at Openzone hotspots!

[mrjones]

Does anyone know if you can have multiple wifi payasyou accounts?

I have about 8 ADSL connections and it would be useful for some other people to be able to use the wifi hotspots but I'm not happy to give them my members area username & password.

[ccsnet]

I dont see whats wrong with EDGE or GPRS ...... save stopping then. And with TMobile you get 2GB for next to nothing....

WIFI is good but its far to spread out to be any use....

Terran