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

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

---

Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 13:39:44 -0400
Subject: Time Warner Cable NYC, Redux
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From: Richard Tait <rickt () rickt org>
To: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
In-Reply-To: <19a.61e0691.2a783292 () aol com>
Message-Id: <AABBD1EE-A575-11D6-8BB2-003065F66F08 () rickt org>

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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