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As a Comcast/Xfinity customer, I don't actually have a problem with that. I need the modem/router anyway and doubt that the extra load would introduce any conge
by gizmo686 7y ago
As a Comcast/Xfinity customer, I don't actually have a problem with that. I need the modem/router anyway and doubt that the extra load would introduce any congestion for me. I would want them to make sure that their usage does not count as part of the rate limiting they apply to me; but since they control the router/modem, and upstream network, I assume this is something they do.
The marginal cost to me is a minimal amount in electricity. However, their policy of doing this allows them to provide me "free" (included in the cost of my internet) WiFi basically everywhere I go. The cost savings of not needing to use my more expensive cellular data easily outweighs what I am spending on the margins to support this scheme.
The only reason I don't do this is because I use my own router (and modem); so now I just freeload off of everyone who does.
- the_jeremy 7y agoThe rate limiting is done via file loaded into the router. AFAIK, it can't be adjusted dynamically as phone users come in and out of your hotspot. Maybe they give you a higher rate if you have the xfinitywifi hotspot enabled, I couldn't find any info. I will say that the public hotspot usage doesn't count toward your data cap, at least.
- ars 7y agoThe xfinity hotspot is a completely separate network from yours. It has its own IP range, and it's own cable-speed configuration. It's as if your neighbor also had WiFi running.
- the_jeremy 7y agoI spent 15 minutes looking (which was 15 more minutes than I should have spent on something that did not affect me at all) and I was unable to find out that it had its own cable-speed config. Good to know that it's not quite as parasitic as I thought.