Interesting People mailing list archives

IP: Another round in Time Warner cable nastygrams over WiFi access


From: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Fri, 02 Aug 2002 20:58:35 -0400


------ Forwarded Message
From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>


Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 13:39:44 -0400
Subject: Time Warner Cable NYC, Redux
From: Richard Tait <rickt () rickt org>
To: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>


Declan,

More news from the TWCNYC/wi-fi front. The second nastygram they sent me is
below.

Let me say outright that I will happily comply with their stipulation (1).
I realise that TWCNYC isn't a charity and that unrestricted redistribution
of their network services isn't such a good thing.

That said, I have a serious issue with their outrageous demands in
stipulation (2).

First of all, their language is vague to the extreme. They do not specify
if non-residents would be allowed to access LOCAL resources on my wi-fi
network, they are just lumping it all together. It goes without saying that
TWCNYC has absolutely no power whatsoever to tell me who can or can't
utilise local resources on my network, as long as no traffic due to this
non-resident use traverses their (external to my residence) network. So in
order for me to comply to even that small piece, they would have to re-word
the whole thing.

Secondly - is a firm such as TWCNYC even allowed to say that only
non-residents can use this service? What if a pal of mine comes to my
apartment and wants to check their email - I'm supposed to say to him/her,
sorry pal, I can't give you the WEP key! Preposterous! Would a guest not be
able to use *my* laptop to access the network either?

Since TWCNYC likes to consider their data network in the same logical
viewpoint as their video network, surely that would mean that guests at my
residence also couldn't watch my TV! Preposterous!

IANAL, so I would like to ask if anyone on the list knows what recourse I
may have here. The bottom line is that I *will* make my network closed, and
it will require a WEP key to gain access to it. That WEP key will *not* be
made public by me. But I'll be damned if my friends/visitors/guests can't
check their email/use my network. That surely is an infringement on my
civil rights?

Please - someone tell me if I'm being unreasonable! I pay my $40+/month for
this service, as long as I'm not letting any old Tom Dick and Harry in
Soho/Nolita access TWCNYC's network through my wi-fi node, what damn
business is it of TWCNYC as to who is using it? If I make it a closed
network, and allow people who visit me to use it - am I in breach of
contract?

Sure, I could lie through my teeth and say I'd never give a guest in my
residence the WEP key, but this is more about the principle of the thing
now. Who are they to say who can use what when I'm paying for it?

Prior posts:
    http://www.politechbot.com/p-03701.html
    http://www.politechbot.com/p-03689.html

Thanks,
RMT.


On Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at 02:18 PM, internet.security () twcable com wrote:

July 30, 2002

Dear Mr. Tait:

By letter dated June 27th, you were advised that your Road Runner account
was transmitting the Road Runner service over a wireless network so that
anyone with a wireless network card could tap into our service.  We
requested written assurance that your account would no longer be utilized
in this manner, and advised you that continued unauthorized use would
result in suspension of your account.

Upon further review, we have been advised that despite a note on your
nycwireless.com web page that your node has "temporarily gone private,"
your listed access point information remains valid, and there are, in
fact, no access restrictions in place.

In light of the above, we are writing to advise you that in order to
continue using the Road Runner service, we require that you: (1) remove
all information listed on the nycwireless.com website in regard to
accessing your Road Runner account; and, (2) configure your network
security to limit access only to permanent residents of your household.

If you have not complied with the terms of this by Friday, August 2, 2002,
we will suspend your account and we may pursue our legal remedies.

Please contact Internet Security directly at either (718) 670-6621 or
internet.security () twcable com if you have any questions.

                                          Sincerely,


Gregory Powell
Abuse & Security, Supervisor
High Speed Online Services
Time Warner Cable of NYC


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