Going to the Games? Then Leave Your MiFi at Home Because 3G Wi-Fi is Banned From London Olympics

CAMBRIDGE, England, July 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

Ticket holders for the London 2012 Olympics will be accustomed to some unusual rules
but may still be surprised to learn of one restriction, as the organisers have banned the
use of personal Wi-Fi devices within the Olympic park. Broadbandgenie.co.uk
[http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk ] asks whether this is justified or another example of
LOCOG setting policies to benefit its corporate partners.

Security is naturally a major concern for the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics
and it’s no shock to see them going a little over the top in the name of safety but it is
strange to discover “wireless access points and 3G hubs” on the prohibited list alongside
firearms and toxic waste.

3G Wi-Fi dongles like the 3 MiFi provide mobile broadband access on the move but
unlike USB dongles allow the connection to be shared with multiple devices over a short
range wireless network, making them useful for families and those using tablets and iPads
without built-in 3G support.

Smartphones can also provide a shared internet connection by enabling Wi-Fi tethering,
and this too is prohibited at the Olympics: “smart devices such as Android phones, iPhone
and tablets are permitted inside venues, but must not be used as wireless access points to
connect multiple devices.”

A spokesperson said “LOCOG has undertaken the full coordination and management of
frequency channels which are used to support critical Games operations. A personal/private
wireless device being used as a 3G hub may cause interference on these channels.”

LOCOG was keen to point out that you are allowed to use Wi-Fi within the park, so long
as it’s through BT, an official partner. “To facilitate internet access, BT are offering a
range of Wi-Fi services across London as well and in nine Olympic venues including the
Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and Velodrome. Public Wi-Fi is also available in all
public areas of the Olympic Park.”

“The Olympic organisers have gone to extremes to protect the interests of commercial
partners, it isn’t a stretch to suggest this is being done largely so visitors will have
to pay for BT Wi-Fi”, says Broadband Genie editor Matt Powell. “It’s an unusual
restriction and something likely to surprise many people who face the permanent loss of
their Wi-Fi dongles, which can cost upwards of GBP100 each.”

BT Wi-Fi (previously called Openzone) is free for BT Internet customers and
subscribers on some smartphone contracts but everyone else will have to buy vouchers which
range from GBP5.99 for 90 minutes to GBP39 for 30 days access.

Anyone attending the Olympics may wish to make use of USB mobile broadband dongles to
access the internet as a cheaper alternative to Wi-Fi. To assist visitors Broadband Genie
has produced a guide to mobile broadband
[http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk/blog/20120716-visiting-london-olympics-heres-what-need-know-about-mobile-broadband-uk ]
for those coming to the UK from abroad.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Broadband Genie is the UK’s leading independent broadband, mobile broadband and
smartphone comparison website, providing consumers with an unbiased source of information
on prices and contracts and allowing them to compare providers in an independent
environment. Broadband Genie was launched in March 2004 as the first dedicated consumer
comparison site for broadband, while Mobile Broadband Genie was the first independent
mobile broadband comparison site, launched in October 2007. The sites were combined in
2010, with the addition of smartphone comparison. The site is one of the most popular in
its field, regularly featuring in the national press. http://www.broadbandgenie.co.uk

All queries and interview requests should be directed to Matt Powell at Broadband
Genie, editor@broadbandgenie.co.uk

SOURCE Broadband Genie