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Broadband-pushers expand user piggyback rides on private Wi-Fi

Universal public coverage, one home router at a time

The number of public Wi-Fi hotspots piggybacking on private routers in the UK is set to increase "significantly" by next year, according to research.

Currently 47 per cent of public Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK are derived from "homespot" routers. That proportion that will increase as broadband providers compete to to offer customers universal Wi-Fi coverage, said Juniper Research's head of forecasting and consultancy Windsor Holden.

According to the analyst company, the global number of home Wi-Fi routers also acting as public Wi-Fi spots will reach one in three by 2017. It said the total number of "dual-use" routers will reach 366 million globally by the end of 2020.

Holden said the method of piggybacking on existing routers is a preferred method by providers, as it means they do not have to install additional infrastructure.

"It's far cheaper and allows them to more easily roll out their plans for universal coverage," he said.

Under this model, routers essentially create two wireless networks separated by a firewall: one network is for private use whilst the other is offered as a public Wi-Fi hotspot by the broadband operators.

However, Gareth Owen, author of the report, noted that although operators allow users to opt out, many do not know their routers are being used in this way.

He said: "Given the current concerns around privacy and data security, the realisation that home routers can be accessed by complete strangers is unlikely to be viewed in a positive light.” ®

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