Comcast XFINITY → Re: [WiFi] Comcast using rental gateway devices as xfinity hotspots

Yes, but both the residential rented gateways and public hotspots use the same "xfinitywifi" SSID, so it's not always easy to know what is the source.

Darknessfall is right. What I saw logged on to my main account was the map here: »hotspots.wifi.comcast.com/

So, apologies ... obviously I didn't realize there was a difference between residential and business xfinity hotspots. As I move around in that map I see some which do appear to be identified by an individual's name and address. They look residential, perhaps business accounts in a residential area?

Based on what I've noticed:
Residential xfinitywifi -
- Same/similar MAC to a HOME-XXXX signal
- Check for nearby HOME-XXXX of same signal

Business DPC3939B xfinitywifi -
- Same/similar MAC to a CBCI-XXXX-2.4 signal
- Check for nearby CBCI-XXXX-2.4 of same signal

Outdoor Hotspots(in my area at least) xfinitywifi -
- Have multiple ssids such as
xfinitywifi
CoxWiFi
XFBSECA7HE6H
CableWiFi
- Listed on the hotspot map as "XFINITY WiFi" without a business name

Included above is a picture from Wigle.net based on user reports. This map shows the location of xfinitywifi outdoor hotspots at the moment(assume it's a few months outdated due to no reports in the area).

I actually live in the city now. a couple people talking to each other likely aren't using WiFi unless briefly checking their phones for 30 seconds. If they're walking by then they would be connected for all of 30 seconds.

Of course the easiest way to prevent anyone from connecting is to purchase your own equipment (which is cheaper overall than renting for 10 bucks a month).

Actually it will have some effect in BT's case, because BT is almost always *DSL and every customer's line connects at the maximum possible speed, so they are unable to provision more capacity just for WiFi. I would guess that BT mitigates it by using QoS to deprioritise wifi users if the connection is busy with the customer's own traffic.

You can get some good speeds on it though - I've used it in preference to shitty hotel wifi. All traffic is tunneled to a BT server somewhere and you have to authenticate to get a connection.

BT are also noticeably better at turning off the public WiFi if you ask - or you can replace it with your own router if you want (they just use PPPoE, no fuss) AFAIK no one has tried to sue BT over it, because we have much more important problems to deal with and no one can afford a solicitor anyway. No one has had their door busted down by the police in relation to dodgy activities on the public side of their BT router, too

Same here - Most recently I used it for a holiday let in the wilds of Norfolk. The end of terrace I was in didn't have any service, but obviously someone living nearby did. Good enough speeds to participate in a couple of company conference calls and keep up with my email. And it definitely is more convenient than the pay as you cellco dongles I used to use.

It would be linked to the logged in account [you have to log in using that email account no one ever wants when they provision the modem], but lets be honest the wifi in the gateways is not stellar by any means, so unless you live in an apartment or condo, no one can even see it outside of your house unless they are trespassing in your yard. In which case, call 911 and post a sign.