Overview

Shaw is committed to delivering Canadians access to the best network experience possible. We are on a mission to be Canada’s leading connectivity company and are always working to expand our network to meet the growing data needs of our customers.

As part of this expansion, we have begun leveraging a feature on new Shaw Internet customers’ Advanced WiFi modems that provides the ability to broadcast a secondary WiFi network from a single home modem. This secondary WiFi network is accessible by Freedom Mobile customers to keep them better connected.

This feature benefits Shaw Internet customers by no longer requiring them to give out their private network information to visiting Freedom Mobile customers. Freedom Mobile customers also benefit from improved indoor coverage by accessing a network of WiFi hotspots broadcast from Shaw Internet customers’ home modems.

The secondary WiFi network is designed to run parallel to our Shaw customers’ primary, password-protected, private network, with no impact to their wired in-home broadband connection or data usage.

Shaw Internet customers who do not wish to have the secondary network broadcast from their modem can disable it at any time at my.shaw.ca by navigating to the “Internet” side bar tab and clicking the ‘disable’ button under “Shaw Hotspot.”

FAQ

What is the “ShawMobileHotspot” WiFi network?

We are now leveraging a feature on Shaw Internet customers’ Hitron modems that broadcasts a secondary WiFi network from a single home modem.

This secondary WiFi network is accessible by Freedom Mobile customers to keep them better connected.



How did you notify Shaw customers of this change?

Beginning November 8, 2017, we began notifying all new Shaw Internet customers that their modem was equipped with this feature and that it would be activated at a later date.

Can customers now use this secondary WiFi network?

Yes, Freedom Mobile customers can now access this secondary WiFi network by downloading the Freedom WiFi app through Google Play or the App Store and completing registration.

Why is Shaw enabling this secondary WiFi network?

This feature creates a secondary WiFi network for Freedom Mobile customers that helps to keep them better connected.

Who has access to this secondary WiFi network?

This new secondary WiFi network is accessible by Freedom Mobile customers, giving them improved indoor coverage through a network of WiFi hotspots broadcast from Shaw Internet customers’ home modems.

This feature benefits Shaw Internet customers by no longer requiring them to give their private network information to Freedom Mobile customers who happen to be visiting.

Why don’t Shaw customers have access to this network?

We are launching this additional WiFi network to help keep Freedom Mobile customers better connected.

We provide Shaw Internet customers with on-to-go connectivity through our Shaw Go WiFi network, which is available at approximately 100,000 locations across Canada.

Which modems are now broadcasting this secondary WiFi network?

Shaw’s Hitron Advanced WiFi modems are now broadcasting this secondary WiFi network.

The XB6 Advanced WiFi modem is also capable of broadcasting this secondary WiFi network, and is expected to launch at a later date.

If you have disabled the feature on shaw.ca, your modem will not broadcast the network.

How do I disable the secondary WiFi network on my modem?

Shaw Internet customers who wish to have the secondary WiFi network disabled on their modem can do so at any time by visiting my.shaw.ca, navigating to the “Internet” side bar tab and clicking the ‘disable’ button under “Shaw Hotspot.”

How can I turn on this feature if it has not been made available to me automatically?

Shaw Internet customers who wish to have the secondary WiFi network enabled on their Advanced WiFi modem can simply go to their My Shaw account select Internet, and scroll down to hardware it will give you the option to enable a secondary WIFI network for your Hitrom modem.

If you’re a current Shaw Internet customer who has had services with us since November 8, 2017, are renting a Hitron Advanced WiFi modem and have not opted out, this feature will be automatically activated in the coming weeks.

Can I turn this feature back on if I disabled it then changed my mind?

If you have disabled the secondary WiFi network on your Advanced WiFi modem, you can contact us to re-enable it at any time.

If you have disabled the secondary WiFi network on your XB6 Advanced WiFi modem, you will be able to re-enable it at any time once the secondary WiFi network begins broadcasting from XB6 modems at a later date.

Will my home’s location be shown on a location map for hotspots?

No, your home’s location will not be shown on any hotspot location maps.

Will broadcasting the secondary WiFi network impact the security of the modem in my home?

No, the secondary WiFi network is designed to run parallel to our Shaw customers’ primary, password-protected, private network, with no impact to their wired in-home broadband connection or data usage.

Will broadcasting a secondary WiFi network impact my modem’s power consumption?

We anticipate that the secondary WiFi network will have minimal-to-no impact on the power consumption of our customers’ modem.

Will the operation of this secondary WiFi network impact my broadband connection or data usage?

No, this secondary WiFi network runs as a separate network parallel to our Shaw Internet customers’ primary WiFi network, and will have no impact to your wired broadband connection or data usage.

Will the operation of this secondary WiFi network impact my private WiFi network speeds?

As with all WiFi connections, WiFi network speeds are dependent on the users’ proximity to the modem, data usage patterns and the total number of connections.

Our Shaw Internet customers’ in-home WiFi network will be given priority over the secondary WiFi network to minimize any potential impacts that may arise. We expect that there will be little-to-no noticeable effect on Shaw Internet customers’ in-home WiFi network.

Will I be responsible for the activities and data usage of others using this secondary WiFi network?

No, Shaw customers will not be responsible for the activities and data usage of others using the public, secondary WiFi network being broadcast through their modem.

This has been updated in Shaw’s Terms of Service.

Does Shaw Hotspot use the same channel as my home WiFi? Will there be increased band utilization?

Yes, Shaw Hotspot does operate on the same channel as your home WiFi network and can increase band utilization.

Will I be compensated for having this feature enabled on my modem?