FITUG e.V.

Förderverein Informationstechnik und Gesellschaft

Cable firms target wireless users

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_2125000/2125922.stm

Friday, 12 July, 2002, 21:43 GMT 22:43 UK

[...]

Grassroots groups hail the proliferation of the devices because it may herald a new era of cheap, easy access to the internet.

Puzzling crackdown

It is precisely that sort of enthusiasm that has cable television firms in New York clamping down on subscribers who offer free access to the firms' networks.

Time Warner Cable, a unit of media giant AOL Time Warner, has issued warnings to about a dozen users it believes use their accounts to provide internet access to others via wireless networks.

While it drums up images of similar crackdowns on those who connect illegally to cable TV systems, finding offenders accessing the internet wirelessly is a touch trickier.

Without wires to trace, it is tough to determine who is taking, who is getting something for nothing.

For some subscribers, the crackdown is a bit puzzling.

After all, upon establishing such wireless networks within their own homes or apartments, they cannot help it if those within about 300 feet can also access the network.

Princely sum

Security software that would require a password to wireless networks is available, but many users are not aware of it or just do not bother.

Cable firms and other internet service providers (ISPs) admit they are trying to preserve their subscriber base and prevent paying customers from cancelling their service to jump on a free, wireless bandwagon.

AT&T Broadband, another supplier of high-speed internet access in New York, has begun trawling web sites to find abusers and it plans to issue warnings to those who misuse its network.

But AT&T, Time Warner and others may have a harder time finding such offenders, given the growing trend in the US by municipalities, businesses and other enterprises that are establishing wireless networks.

They do it with the intention of providing high-speed access for little or minimal cost.

Currently, traditional ISPs charge a hefty fee for high-speed digital- subscriber (DSL) or cable line - about $50 a month in most US cities. [...]

Zurück