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hk1337 parent
What exactly is that doing? Is there some backend limitation for WiFi interfaces that making it think it’s Ethernet is faster?
sodality2
It just resets the MAC address, making the router believe it's a new device, thus not subject to the "x minute" free WiFi.
dizhn
That won't circumvent the sms code requirement most free wifi services use.
catlifeonmars
I have never seen this before
ssl-3
I've only seen it once.

I was doing some work in a small-ish county jail/sheriff's office in the States. As part of that work, I needed some Internet access.

Because jail (thick, reinforced walls and lots of steel) the cell phone coverage was basically shit -- otherwise I'd have just used my phone like I would normally have done approximately anywhere else.

It was a fun dance: Requesting access via wifi, getting sent a code via SMS, and then going outside, turning off wifi to establish an actually-working network connection, retrieving the code (yay Google Voice), and then going back inside, turning on wifi, entering the code, and actually using it.

There was some other detail (perhaps relating to very short timeouts or re-registration issues or MAC randomization) at some stage of the operation that seemed extra-insulting, but my mind has forgotten whatever it was.

I have no idea what this song and dance was intended to provide, prevent, or enforce.

fc417fc802
> I have no idea what this song and dance was intended to provide, prevent, or enforce.

Describes far more corporate IT policy than it ought to.

rafram
It's required by law in some countries, and it leads to some very funny chicken-and-egg situations with airport WiFi.

Istanbul Airport added a workaround: a physical passport scanner that stores your info and generates a code as an alternative to SMS verification. The whole thing just feels like a VPN ad.

dizhn
There's at least one country with laws that say you have to keep track of national ID numbers (and times) if you want to provide wifi service.
popularonion
Never seen it in the US, but it was fairly common when I was on vacation in Europe
lavezzi
Maybe you haven't flown recently then, even T-Mobile has introduced message based verification for trying to use their free in-flight WiFi now.
rs186
I think they are extremely rare, and I would rather just use my mobile data instead of giving them my phone number.

Definitely does not happen on "free trials" on in-flight Wi-Fi for obvious reasons.

dizhn
A now deleted comment reminded me that this is mostly for in-flight wifi where it makes much more sense. Mostly no SMS there either.
rixed
Or the voucher obtained by scanning your boarding pass in some airports.
chipsrafferty
I've never seen "x minute free wifi". What countries is that common in?
sodality2
I’ve seen it at a few places in the US, typically somewhere they have a paid unlimited/fast plan but a free tier for a limited time to be able to say they offer “free wifi”. So places it costs money to offer wifi. Maybe a flight, cruise, etc

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