how does orcon control a customer's wifi remotely?

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › how does orcon control a customer's wifi remotely?

richgamer

224 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#27016 10-Oct-2008 12:15

Scott bartlett said in the newspaper i think yesterday that orcon can control a customer's wifi security settings remotely. the article was talking about unsecured wifi connections. how does an isp like orcon control a customer's wifi security settings remotely? scott said orcon is the only isp in new zealand to do this.

dan

1134 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#170402 10-Oct-2008 12:27

Only if they have the Orcon Home Hub DSL/Wifi unit..

Madmax77

152 posts

Master Geek

#170403 10-Oct-2008 12:28

I believe they can control certain settings if you have one of their new routers, from the Orcon website

If you really want to get the most from any Orcon@Home or Orcon@Home+ plan, go for the amazing Orcon Homehub. This sleek wireless router lets you access your Broadband from anywhere in your house without plugs or cables.

What's more, because our network can talk to it, our helpdesk can easily support the device remotely to get you back online faster if there is ever a problem.

In the future, we'll be teaching the Homehub some cool new tricks to give you an even better Orcon experience through new and interesting services, so stay tuned...

If you sign up to the Orcon@Home Platinum+ plan, the Orcon Homehub is included as part of the package. On all other plans you can rent the Homehub for just $5 per month.
If you ever decide to leave Orcon this modem will need to be returned to us.

http://www.orcon.net.nz/hardware/

PDAMan

179 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#170459 10-Oct-2008 17:29

It would be great if everyone on the Orcon Helpdesk knew about this.

I've had major problems with my Siemens Gigaset Wireless Router cutting out, over and above the problems with my ADSL+ connection cutting out at the exchange, which is now really good btw, other than the odd exception.

At first I thought it was my notebook at fault, but it was happening with others I tried. So last night instead of relaxing with my family, I thought I'd ring the Orcon Helpdesk.

The guy I spoke to, after listening to the messages about how my call was important to them was very sympathetic, but said that because my connection to the exchange was OK, I had to call the Siemens Helpdesk.

So there I am listening to a message from the Siemens Helpdesk about how my call was important to them. It was probably only 5 minutes, but this is my time and I was booked for a poker tournament online which I ended up not being able to play.

Anyway, they told me that there was a known problem and this had been fixed some time ago with a firmwear update. They told me to go to their website, pick New Zealand, where I would easily find the update, follow the instructions and all would be well.

So I found the website, selected New Zealand, no problem so far except that my model of modem was not there. Being a little bit resourceful I searched their website and found an English download for the modem, downloaded it and clicked on install, following the easy to read instructions in the update notes. It got to the point of going to the admin area in the modem set up area, clicking on the install firmware update button and then it turned pear shaped.

There was a message saying that because the modem is centrally maintained by my ISP, I did not have authorisation to install the firmware.

Back on the waiting line to Siemens Helpdesk and after another few minutes of being told that my business is important to them
I spoke to yet another friendly person on the other side of the world, who did some research and then asked:

"Are you with Orcon?"

"Why yes, that's what I explained on my first call"

"Well you need to go to them because your modem is centrally maintained by them and they will have to install the firmware update for you."

AT this stage the evening was getting on and I was getting a little grumpy with my wife, my daughter and anyone else within earshot and a little concerned that they would go home before I got to talk to somene again. Oddly enough I was polite and friendly with the nice Orcon person who answered my call after I learned that my call was important to them. He told me that the Siemens guy was quite correct and that he would put in a job request for someone to do the firmware upgarde for me after he helped me through a factory reset, which he said seemed to help with his one at home which was the same model.

At that point I had missed my poker tournament by an hour or so and my sense of humour didn't improve. Hopefully it will be working properly this weekend.

But at least I know that everyone thinks my call is important to them!

Luigi
Helping companies with location based problem solving, blogs and social media
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nate

6473 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#170492 10-Oct-2008 20:18

richgamer: Scott bartlett said in the newspaper i think yesterday that orcon can control a customer's wifi security settings remotely. the article was talking about unsecured wifi connections. how does an isp like orcon control a customer's wifi security settings remotely? scott said orcon is the only isp in new zealand to do this.

Sell pre-configured wireless routers with every new broadband connection, and setup remote administration that allows them to modify those wireless settings. Easy.

sparkee

38 posts

Geek

#170507 10-Oct-2008 20:48

See my thread http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=82&TopicId=24656

Have been waiting 2 months for my Firmware to be updated and still waiting.
Told by Orcon that I would have to wait till they next did an upgrade on there firmware as they only updated there home hub in bulk and only when they have an upgrade for then.
They said that the date of the next update was unknown, there were no plans to do it soon.

drxcm

41 posts

Geek

#170513 10-Oct-2008 21:07

Funny. I think the Orcon helpdesk is a waste of time.
While trying to diagnose my DSL connection speed problems, the helpdesk asked
Helpdesk: what router are you using?Me: HomehubHelpdesk: have you tried a different router?Me: I don't have one, why?Helpdesk: some of our customers have better results with other modems..Me: WTF??!