I just moved into a student dorm for a semester abroad, and beforehand I emailed them asking whether they had ethernet ports to plug my router into (I use it to connect all my devices, and for WiVRn VR streaming). They confirmed that I could, but now that I’m here the wifi login portal is asking me to accept these terms from the ISP, which forbid plugging in a router. There’s another clause that forbids “Disruptive Devices” entirely, defined as:
“Disruptive Device” means any device that prevents or interferes with our provision of the 4Wireless to other customers (such as a wireless access point such as wireless routers) or any other device used by you in breach of the Acceptable Use Policy;
So what are my options? I don’t think I can use this service without accepting the terms, but also I was told by the student dorm support that I could bring a router, which contradicts this.
EDIT: some additional context:
- dorm provider is a company separate from my uni (they have an agreement but that’s it)
- ISP (ask4) is totally separate from dorm provider, and have installed a mesh network that requires an account. On account creation, there are many upsells including one for connecting more than one device. The “free” plan only allows me to sign in on a single device, and I can upgrade to two devices for 15 pounds.
- ethernet requires login too
- VR streaming requires a high performance wifi 6 network, which is why I bought this router (Archer C6 from tp-link)
That’s just using a router with extra steps.
An extra step that doesn’t go against their TOS, though.
Is it though? It seems the prohibition is against using any form of wireless access point, it doesn’t matter where the network cable plugs in. When you have too many wifi networks blasting in a small area, the experience is degraded for everyone.
That might be one of the concern, but the TOS clearly doesn’t state that. They only prohibit against attaching multiple devices to the network. If you attach it to your desktop PC, it could be considered not on the network as long as you don’t bridge the two connections together.
That’s in the OP, so it specifically calls out any kind of wireless access point.
Yeah, it might not be on the network, but the prohibition doesn’t seem to be limited to network-connected devices. Bridging from your phone to your AP/router w/o touching the network may still be against TOS.
Oh yeah, they did mention that clause. I guess you can still limit the power of the wireless router so it doesn’t penetrate too far outside the rooms, as well as using bands that is not as congrsted. That might be good enough to comply to the TOS, or it might not.
Oh sure. Personally, I would just break the rule and drop the transmit power on my router, banking on them not bothering to enforce it. They’ll most likely give a warning first, especially since the dorm rep said it would be fine. I have broken plenty of dorm rules, yet never got as much as an email because I made sure my rule-breaking didn’t bother other people so nobody reported it.
A lot of times, those rules are in place because someone ruined things for everyone and they added it so they have something to point to. If you don’t cause problems with others, it shouldn’t be an issue.