Wi-Fi in the Lounge at DME
Apr 28, 2019, 6:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London
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Wi-Fi in the Lounge at DME
They've got a new system implemented that is so ridiculous it would be comical if I didn't have so much work to do. A free telephone call is now required from your mobile phone to ping your device onto the internet. Works a charm. The problem? The same system is in place for your laptop. You get a screen - yes, your computer screen - with a phone number that you click to "place a call". I know that there are computers out there that make phone calls, but come on. Access the wi-fi in the business lounge of an international airport.... with a phone call?!
My only choice was to get my phone on the wi-fi and use a hotspot tether to get my laptop on the internet.
Seriously?
My only choice was to get my phone on the wi-fi and use a hotspot tether to get my laptop on the internet.
Seriously?
Apr 28, 2019, 6:39 am
#2
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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I didn't think it was possible to tether your laptop to your phone using the WiFi connection established on the phone. How did you do that? When needed, I tether machines using the cellular data from my phone. I'm interested if there is indeed a way to pass the WiFi connection established on a phone to a tethered device but I don't think there is. If so, are you perhaps tethering your computer through your cellular data connection which might be costly?
Apr 28, 2019, 6:41 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: London, UK
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I didn't think it was possible to tether your laptop to your phone using the WiFi connection established on the phone. How did you do that? When needed, I tether machines using the cellular data from my phone. I'm interested if there is indeed a way to pass the WiFi connection established on a phone to a tethered device but I don't think there is. If so, are you perhaps tethering your computer through your cellular data connection which might be costly?
Apr 28, 2019, 6:45 am
#4
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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Apr 28, 2019, 7:00 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
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Posts: 7,801
Nope you can do it with WiFi, on Android at least. Works well for inflight WiFi where one logs in with FFP account and can only have on active device
Apr 28, 2019, 10:23 am
#7
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
Yep, it's been available on some Android phones for a while. Great when you are in a hotel that has a limit on devices
Apr 28, 2019, 11:02 am
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London
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I tried desperately to get past that screen. There's even a button that says "use alternate method" that takes you back, each and every time, to the phone call button.
Apr 28, 2019, 11:24 am
#9
Moderator, Emirates
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That must be fairly new then because it wasn’t like that 4 weeks ago (although they had actually changed the password after 2 years)
S
S
Apr 28, 2019, 12:28 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: GGLfL
Posts: 1,126
Are you may be talking about the airport-wide WIFI - the network is called DME FREE. This does require a call. or a code by text.
The Navigator Lounge WIFI is called WiFi Business and until recently had the password businesswifi, which has just been changed (after 10+ years). I logged on simply with the new password 2 weeks ago.
The Navigator Lounge WIFI is called WiFi Business and until recently had the password businesswifi, which has just been changed (after 10+ years). I logged on simply with the new password 2 weeks ago.
Apr 30, 2019, 8:49 am
#11
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Location: London
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When I approached the dragons at reception for any possible advice, they were highly apologetic; said that it was all new and that they had no control over any of it.
I thought it might be good to provide a warning here; I spent 30 minutes trying to find a work-around and never could.
I thought it might be good to provide a warning here; I spent 30 minutes trying to find a work-around and never could.
Apr 30, 2019, 9:10 am
#12
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It is a very common methodology in Russia, it does normally work by keying in your mobile number on the screen on your laptop, and then call from your mobile to activate the WiFi
Though admittedly I have not tried to do it for phone and computer at the same time, as I always run dual SIM for phone data connection in Russia.
Though admittedly I have not tried to do it for phone and computer at the same time, as I always run dual SIM for phone data connection in Russia.
May 1, 2019, 3:16 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
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You were using the free WiFi in the airport not the navigator lounge WiFi which they give a password for.
the reason this is done is not BA. Russian Law requires a person using (public) WiFi to be identified unless it’s a private WiFi. Navigator is private and requires no password, airport WiFi is public and therefore an ID is needed.
this has been the case for a number of years and all public WiFi now requires this.
there is a second option you must have missed which is the SMS option where you enter your number and receive an SMS. Most Russians don’t use this as the call cost is basically zero to them, hence why the call
option is presented first.
the reason this is done is not BA. Russian Law requires a person using (public) WiFi to be identified unless it’s a private WiFi. Navigator is private and requires no password, airport WiFi is public and therefore an ID is needed.
this has been the case for a number of years and all public WiFi now requires this.
there is a second option you must have missed which is the SMS option where you enter your number and receive an SMS. Most Russians don’t use this as the call cost is basically zero to them, hence why the call
option is presented first.
May 1, 2019, 5:20 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London
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Posts: 159
Actually, I was using the Navigator lounge WiFi, which is called "Wifi Business", not the free airport WiFi. There was no password offered for WiFi business. As stated before, the lounge attendants indicated that the changes were very recent. They were armed with nothing more than a new desktop sign with instructions, which provided no help for anybody attempting to log on with a laptop.
Last edited by Buzzz; May 1, 2019 at 6:31 am
May 10, 2019, 12:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: GGLfL
Posts: 1,126
Actually, I was using the Navigator lounge WiFi, which is called "Wifi Business", not the free airport WiFi. There was no password offered for WiFi business. As stated before, the lounge attendants indicated that the changes were very recent. They were armed with nothing more than a new desktop sign with instructions, which provided no help for anybody attempting to log on with a laptop.
The network "WIFI Business" does not exist any more. The reason - according to the lounge agents - "new Russian rules".
The instructions on the lounge desk are to connect to the network "DME Business". This does not require you to call a local number. It then calls you back to verify it is you. And after this call back, you are connected.
There is also a network "DME Free". I managed to connect my laptop to DME Free without any call back, as far as I am aware (I have a SIM in the laptop), but it didn't ask for the number. So next time try DME Free if DME Business does not work.