First question: why are we restricted to only one computer? Subscribers normally have only one outgoing/incoming connection to the Internet. This connection has a fixed bandwidth depending on the subscription plan. Does it matter if we have one or four computers using that single connection? Each computer does not get full bandwidth but it SHARES the bandwidth with the other computers. The bottleneck and controlling variable, in this case, is the broadband connection. It should not matter whether or not one or ten computers are connected, right? I just do not get the logic of the ISPs in restricting the number of computers.

Related to the above, why discourage users from having a broadband router? Most broadband routers have wireless access points built-in. With practically all portable computers equipped with WI-FI transceivers, it makes sense to WI-FI enable your home, right? Why restrict yourself to just one place near your ISP connection to get online? Do ISPs want their users restricted to wired access only? It is so Jurassic!

In addition, routers often come with filters and a built-in firewall. These features, when set-up properly, help prevent the user’s computer from getting compromised by crackers from the Internet. While it is true that modern operating systems now come with their own software firewall, another hardware firewall won’t hurt.

My broadband router is set-up to filter all ActiveX, which is often the cause of a lot of malicious content, and to drop all incoming connections. While I do not have a static IP address, crackers often scan IP addresses to find holes in the system. So if you are connected directly to your broadband modem and you are using a vulnerable operating system like Microsoft’s Windows XP, chances are crackers are already trying to hack into your computer. It does slow down your connection in addition to having your computer compromised. Believe me; it helps to use a router even if you only have one computer.

I am asking these questions because ISPs are aware of the fact that subscribers are using routers and yet they do not allow its use. Try calling your ISP and one of the questions they will ask is "Are you using a router?" followed by "How many computers are connected?" I use a Mac and more often than not, these technical folks do not have a clue as to how to help a non-Windows user. Just for kicks, tell them you are using Linux; let us see how they react! I remember the time when I was waiting for my flight at the San Francisco International airport (after the WorldWide Developer Conference) and I tried using T-mobile’s hotspot. While it was not free (it costs USD9.99; they have a free trial but I used it when I was there for JavaOne earlier that year!), it was fast. Unfortunately, I had problems but when I called support and told them I was using a Mac, it did not take long for them to give me instructions so I can connect. I wish this was the same here. Oh well.

Back to the questions - I am hoping that the ISPs can give us an explanation on these restrictions. Don’t you think it is high time for them to change their policies and allow subscribers to have multiple computers use the broadband connection using broadband routers? It is not as if we are re-selling it anyway. Even so, we are paying for the bandwidth and it is not that we are getting more if we have more computers connected, right? I wish that local ISPs will wake up and allow its subscribers to join the Fon (www.fon.com) social WI-FI network.

What do you guys think? Which ISP, do you think, will be the first to allow us to use broadband routers and have multiple computers connected to a single broadband connection?