Broadband ISP BT Launch Free Wi-Fi Controls on Smart Hub 2

UK ISP BT has today introduced new ‘Wi-Fi Controls’ for their latest Smart Hub 2 broadband router, which essentially gives customers a greater ability to manage the internet access of their family or network members (e.g. pausing internet access and setting timed access for up to 15 specific network devices / users etc.).

The features (these are free additions), which have been added to BT’s Smart Hub 2 router via the latest firmware update, can also be controlled via the ISP’s MyBT app on a Smartphone. According to BT, the aim of all this is to “encourage more family time and remove distractions with a simple touch of a button.”

For devices which may need different rules for younger kids or teenagers, customers can also set-up their own groups and manage multiple screen time rules all at once.

Pete Oliver, BT’s Managing Director for Consumer Marketing, said:

“At BT, we are dedicated to keeping families connected and there’s so much entertainment and education available to us, but it’s also so important to have time away from screens. With our new Wi-Fi Controls, we’re helping families create a healthy relationship with technology, so families can decide when they want to be offline so they can focus on homework or enjoy quality time together.”

We’ve seen similar features like this on other ISPs, although most of those tend to control access to certain online services while this feature makes it possible to easily manage access by device. Some other wireless routers also support device-level access controls, although those do tend to require a little more knowledge, can’t always be controlled via an app and may not offer as many options.