Two networks, fully separated

When a router radiates Streetwifi, the public network and the home network are isolated at Layer 2 and Layer 3 with independent VLANs and secure tunnels to the network core. Someone using Streetwifi from a home router cannot see the household’s traffic or devices.

The public network only uses the spare capacity of the access point and the link: the ISP customer’s contracted bandwidth is protected and does not decrease even when many users are nearby.

Authentication and sessions

Access is managed through a captive portal and a secure web API. A central high-availability AAA cluster validates devices, applies speed profiles and accounts for usage, with RADIUS servers controlling the start, duration and end of every session.

Why we ask for the real MAC address

Recent versions of iOS and Android use a random MAC address by default. Streetwifi needs the real address to recognize the device: otherwise, duplicated random addresses could confuse users and make someone consume another person’s data. That is why users are asked to turn off “private address” for the Streetwifi network only.

  • The MAC is processed encrypted and used only for network management and traffic control, never for personal tracking.
  • The setting is changed once; the device remembers it for future connections.
  • If it is not turned off, users can still connect, but will go through the portal on every new session.

What data is stored and who holds it

  • Technical browsing data is not linked to individuals. The system records connected devices and, in some cases, email addresses.
  • Personal data is held by the entity that charges for the service (usually the local ISP), which must comply with its country’s data protection law.
  • Only the technical connection logs required by local cybersecurity laws are stored.

Regulatory compliance

Streetwifi provides the network management technology. The physical WiFi service is provided by the licensed ISP, which is legally responsible for complying with its country’s telecom regulations. In Chile, personal data processing is governed by the new personal data protection law (Law 21.719).

The ISP customer decides

Streetwifi activation on routers is communicated in the service terms and conditions or on the bill. Customers can ask to turn off the public signal through their ISP’s self-service portal without affecting their home internet (by doing so they lose the right to use Streetwifi on the street).