iPhone & WiFi on BC Ferries

Question

Level 2

254 points

iPhone & WiFi on BC Ferries

Just got home from a trip to Vancouver Island via BC Ferries, which offer free WiFi. I could sense the network and apparently connect to it. I got all bars displayed for a WiFi connection, but I couldn't use it for any Internet access. I tried all the standard tricks, including toggling Airplane mode on then off again, and doing a power reset on the phone (home & sleep/wake buttons). I also tried the browser, looking for a starter "rules" webpage to accept before using the WiFi system (a local hospital has their public WiFi set up this way). Didn't get a page like this on the ferry. I did have Data Roaming off. However, with this setup, I was able to connect to a hotel's WiFi system in Victoria.

Anyone have an idea why I couldn't use the ferry's free WiFi from my iPhone?

Dual 2 GHz G5, Mac OS X (10.5.1), 3 GB RAM

Posted on Apr 7, 2008 8:42 PM

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Answer 1

ilancen

Level 1

10 points

May 12, 2008 11:13 AM in response to Bob Rodenburg

I take the BC Ferries to the Island quite a bit and have found the same thing as you. I asked a steward if they offered public access to their network and was told "no, not at this time". Even though it appears that it is open through your iPhone, and that you have a strong signal, it is closed. Bummer indeed.

Cheers!

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Answer 2

Bob Rodenburg Author

Level 2

254 points

May 11, 2008 8:54 PM in response to Bob Rodenburg

I've now experienced the same problem again hooking up to free WiFi, this time at Logan Airport in Boston. I had the time to call 1-800-myiphone, and all they could tell me was that some wireless routers won't provide access to smartphones (not just iPhones). Anybody out there have similar problems and/or have a solution?

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