This topic

BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

paul_fuller — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 11:32:37 GMT

Does anyone know how to enable the public wi-fi hot spot on a BT Smart Hub 2?

Having read other forum posts I understand that opting out of BT wi-fi (now EE wi-fi) will prevent subscriber access to the public wi-fi network and disable the wi-fi hotspot on a subscriber's router. I haven't however been able to find any threads explaining how to enable the public hot spot on the router. Toggling BT wi-fi access (Opting out and then opting back in does not directly impact the status of the hotspot).

Prior to an engineers visit earlier this week our router was showing a public wi-fi hot spot. Following a visit which resulted in the router and ONT being figuratively throw around. Although our home broadband is operational we have subsequently lost the public wi-fi hot spot.

Although another long story I would like to use the public wi-fi as an alternative network connection for a streaming service that currently cannot be delivered via our home broadband. At present we receive a DoS from the service provider, their stating that they detect a VPN or proxy device on the connection from our home network. Unfortunately we don't use a VPN or any proxy devices so cannot directly address or resolve this issue.

Re: BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

WSH — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 11:46:30 GMT

It should be enabled by default.

If you turned it off and then on again on MyBT, I seem to recall it may take 24 hours to recognise that change.

If you turned the rest of the Wi-Fi off, it will have turned that off too.

If all else fails, it sounds like a factory reset of the hub. Hold the reset button in until the light on the front goes green. (It can take a while). Just be aware you will need to re-enter any custom settings/contacts etc. if you do that.

Re: BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

paul_fuller — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 11:53:28 GMT

WSH; thanks for the knowledge share......

Having toggled my BT wi-fi subscription via MyBT I'll give it a day before looking at it again. TBH I'd like to try and avoid a factory reset to avoid the issue you have highlighted.... but if needs must....

Re: BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

WSH — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 11:58:14 GMT

I don't really know the inner workings, but I would suspect any changes on MyBT are passed over on the daily "Periodic" CWMP session. I'd have a look for the entry "Value Change" being mentioned in the log if I were you.

Re: BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

imjolly — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 11:59:48 GMT

you may find if your turn of the SH2 for 20/30min you will get a different IP address and probably connect to a different server which may enable you to connect to the site.

BTWIFI is intended for picking up email and browsing the internet. it will reset every so often to stop prolonged use

Re: BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

gg30340 — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 12:01:22 GMT

In case you do not know, BTWifi name no longer shows as a wifi signal. It now shows as EEWifi which can be accessed using a web browser using your MyBT username and password.

The BTWifi app no longer works.

Re: BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

paul_fuller — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 12:42:21 GMT

We've a fault registered with BT/Open reach regarding the detected VPN/proxy device so hopefully this will be resolved in the fullness of time. I was looking to use BT/EE wi-fi as a temporary work around.

Whilst power cycling the router forces it to obtain a new IP address, this does not change the up stream network path where the service provider state that they are detecting a VPN/proxy subsequently resulting in a DoS.

I'd be happy logging into BT/EE wi-fi on an ad hoc basis as a work around until a permanent solution is in place. TBH it'll be better that what we have at the moment which is no connection at all.

Re: BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

chrisjp — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 15:29:25 GMT

Is your plan to access the internet via a neighbour's BT/EE wi-fi hotspot, or do you plan to do so via your own router's hot spot?
If the latter, and your router doesn't have an internet connection until BT resolves the fault you have reported, then I don't think your hot spot will be working either.

Re: BT Smart Hub 2 enable public wi-fi hotspot

paul_fuller — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:42:15 GMT

For clarity our router has an internet connection and we can access internet services via our home network. The router is not currently displaying a BT/EE wi-fi hotspot.

Within the hub manager web browser interface under the Home>Status page the public w-fi status is shown as 'not active'.

***UPDATE*** On the understanding that the default condition for this service is reportedly 'on' this service has not restored following a factory reset of the router 40+ hours ago.

For the reference and to assist future readers of this forum thread, I'll provide an update when/if the public wi-fi hotspot becomes active.