Forum Discussion
Auto Wi-Fi log in London Underground?
Thanks for this information eekamouse.
There doesn't seem to be mechanism in Apple's iOS operating system (for iPhone devices) for the user to choose an authentication method for the Wi-Fi network they're joining.
The latest iOS (16.3.1) has an "Ask to Join Networks" option in Settings > Wi-Fi, which has three sub-categories:
- Off (If no known networks are available, you will have to manually select a network.)
- Notify (If no known networks are available, you will be notified of available networks.)
- Ask (If no known networks are available, you will be asked before joining a new network.)
For each of these, "Known networks will be joined automatically."
As suggested, might well be worth StevenB_1465005 'forgetting' the "THREE_WIFI" network on their iPhone. Thereafter, setting-up a 'new' connection at a London Underground station, before going underground.
It could all change from tomorrow though, because BAI take-over the Wi-Fi network operation from Virgin Media.
ChalkychapOn your iPhone, when you manually connect to an 802.1X Wi-Fi network such as THREE_WIFI (if you're with Smarty or Three) or "Wi-Fi Extra" (if you're with O2 or Giffgaff) for the very first time, do you get a screen asking you for any information? On Android, we must manually select the EAP method (EAP-SIM, EAP-AKA, EAP-AKA', EAP-MD5, EAP-TLS, etc) and I am wondering whether you get asked a similar question on iOS.
I am intrigued about this changeover to BAI - there is nothing about it at all on the Smarty website (the instructions still only say to connect to THREE_WIFI). Do you have any details (such as which SSID to select), or is your info from the press releases?
Best wishes, Eek.
eekamouse, I'm not in London often, but whenever connecting to a Wi-Fi network for the 1st time, iOS only asks for the network p/word (if it's required).
The Mayor of London awarded BAI Communications a 20-year concession to operate an underground mobile network for 4G and 5G services. This also involves BAI running station Wi-Fi, taking over from Virgin Media, end of March/beginning of April 2023.
Virgin Media mention end of hosting TfL station Wi-Fi online at:
https://www.virginmedia.com/help/broadband/wifi-hotspots
Scroll down to "How do I connect to Virgin Media WiFi on London underground?".The TfL piece is online at https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/station-wifi, and it appears the 'old' SSID names are ongoing.
Three still say you just need to a valid Three SIM card present in your device, in order to connect automatically to the station Wi-Fi, provided:
- You have iOS 15.4, or later.
- You set the "access method" to "EAP", and the "EAP method" to "SIM", with an Android device.
ChalkychapWe might be talking about 2 different things. I'm talking about connecting to an 802.1x Wi-Fi network (such as THREE_WIFI or "Wi-Fi Extra"), not an ordinary domestic Wi-Fi network - they are very different beasts. Are you talking about connecting to a domestic Wi-Fi network or an 802.1x network (secured by an EAP Radius server)?
Good point eekamouse, I don’t use Wi-Fi networks secured by a radius server very often. TfL being a good example. Not sure when I’m going to next get a chance to test 802.1x connection with iPhone.
