BT upgrades its Home Hub routers
Published: 14 Jul 2008 15:34 BST
BT has launched the latest version of its Home Hub Wi-Fi router.
The new device, unveiled on Monday, is the first released by any UK internet service provider to use 802.11n Wi-Fi technology, BT claimed. It also comes with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) as the default wireless security protocol, rather than the outmoded Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol that was used in previous iterations.
BT's Home Hubs previously offered WEP as the default security protocol, forcing users to set the security up themselves if they wanted to use WPA instead. This approach led to several high-profile Home Hub hacks.
According to BT, the use of 'N' Wi-Fi means the new Home Hub has "up to twice the wireless range" of previous models and those still issued by BT's competitors. A spokesperson confirmed to ZDNet.co.uk on Monday that the specification used is the Draft 2.0 version of 802.11n, which has not yet been officially ratified as a standard.
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"The new Hub will give you up to twice the wireless range of our competitors — giving our customers much more coverage in the home, even in those 'difficult-to-reach' areas, and more freedom to use their broadband wirelessly from wherever they want — whether in the living room, bedroom or even in a garden," said John Petter, the managing director of BT Retail Consumer.
The company also claims the setup process for the new Home Hub involves only half the steps needed to set up older models.
The Home Hub, which is worth £90, is available for free to those signing up to BT's Total Broadband Option 3 contract, and at half-price to existing customers.
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