Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a request from a portable device for authentication to a first WLAN, wherein the user is not registered as a WLAN user. An identifier of the device is compared with entries in a list associated with the WLAN and, responsive to a first determination that the identifier corresponds to an entry in the list, wireless access is using the first WLAN facilitated. Responsive to a second determination that the identifier does not correspond to an entry in the list, a message is transmitted to equipment of the network subscriber regarding the request. Responsive approval of the request, wireless access is facilitated of the device to a broadband network using the first WLAN, wherein the portable device provides a second WLAN for initiating a second communication session via the device that provides broadband access to a plurality of Wi-Fi enabled devices.