Forum Discussion

Jonatha_1353226's avatar
Jonatha_1353226
SMARTY Pioneer
15-12-2022

London underground wifi

Has anyone successfully connected to the London underground wifi? The instructions say to join the "Three_UK" SSID using the AKA method. I have followed this, but I have never successfully connected, so would like to know if it's just me

10 Replies

  • ckcrunch's avatar
    ckcrunch
    SMARTY Pioneer
    21-11-2023

    Did you ever fix this?  I just joined from O2 (where it worked fine connecting to Wifi_Extra, although a bit temperamental), I transferred my number over and the connection to the THREE hotspot just times out and it gives me a generic cannot connect message whether I use EAP-AKA or EAP-SIM. 

  • eekamouse's avatar
    eekamouse
    SMARTY Maverick
    30-03-2023

    Ok, the answer to this problem is actually really simple. The "THREE_WIFI" network (used by both Three and Smarty customers) uses a security protocol called EAP-AKA. To be able to connect to this network, your phone must understand that security protocol. It turns out that OnePlus were really late to implement EAP-AKA into their stock system (i.e. the system that OnePlus puts onto their phones at their factory).

    To give you an idea of how late they were, EAP-AKA is defined in a document called RFC 4187 which was published in January 2006. The system that I was using on my Oneplus 5T was released in 2017, and it still did not contain EAP-AKA.

    In the end, I replaced the standard system on my phone (OxygenOS v10/Android 10) with a "third-party" system (LineageOS v18.1/Android 11), and I can now connect perfectly to THREE_WIFI.

    Hope this helps, Eek.

  • eekamouse's avatar
    eekamouse
    SMARTY Maverick
    04-02-2023

    Jonatha_1353226Did you ever get this to work? I have the same problem even using 2 different mobile phones! (A Oneplus 5T and a Samsung Galaxy S4)

    • Chalkychap's avatar
      Chalkychap
      SMARTY Trendsetter
      13-02-2023

      Hey eekamouse, it worked for me but I'm using an iPhone.

      If you're desperate for free Wi-Fi in London Underground stations, then maybe you should try a Network Reset on your Android devices. 

    • Jonatha_1353226's avatar
      Jonatha_1353226
      SMARTY Pioneer
      04-02-2023

      No! I complained but they just asked me to try another phone, which I don't have. I suggest to complain and tell them you tried multiple phones. Mine is oneplus nord ce

      • eekamouse's avatar
        eekamouse
        SMARTY Maverick
        12-02-2023

        Jonatha_1353226I have not yet succeeded in getting this "fixed", but I do have a question for you.

        When you joined Smarty, did you do a "number transfer" to keep your old number from your previous network, or did you start with a new number that was "allocated" by Smarty?

        (I did a number transfer from my old network, and I am starting to wonder whether Three's Wi-fi authentication mechanism thinks that I am still on O2!)

  • DuncanK_1714967's avatar
    DuncanK_1714967
    SMARTY Pioneer
    16-12-2022

    Yes. After getting my SMARTY SIM i just went on the three network whilst waiting for a train and it connected automatically. Am using an iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • MichaelJ_425957's avatar
    MichaelJ_425957
    SMARTY Pioneer
    16-12-2022

    Yes I've joined it without issue. But it's only in the stations so its use is pretty limited.