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AT&T Wifi Calling
Hi - I have seen a number of threads on this topic and was hoping there was some resolution. We are an AT&T household and are users of the Wifi Calling feature. We have a single Orbi router, ...
What mode is the Verizon router configured for? Router or Bridge mode? IF in router mode, This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router. https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktop
My wife it seems like when she moves into the kitchen with her laptop it seems like the WIFI is momentarily disconnecting and then reconnecting....
WPJoe wrote:My wife it seems like when she moves into the kitchen with her laptop it seems like the WIFI is momentarily disconnecting and then reconnecting....
My investigation would focus on these areas:
- Does the problem appear when the laptop goes into the "shadow" of a large metal appliance (refrigerator, wall oven, etc. is directly in the path between the laptop and Orbi)?
- Does the laptop "change WiFi bands" when this happens?
Looking at the Orbi web interface or Orbi "app", does the laptop connection change from 5G to 2.4G?
Bear in mind that the Attached Devices status does not update instantly.
My experience is that it can take 15-20 seconds for a change in status to show up. - What happens to something like video streaming?
Is there a reproducable pattern. i.e. YouTube stutters or stops when I get to this part of the kitchen? - I use Android phones, so I have access to many WiFi "analyzer" apps that show the actual signal strength, updated as often as every second. Would be interesting to have such an app open and walk around observing how the signal strength changes.
Or, it could be that AT&T WiFi calliing doesn't like kitchens? (nah)
CrimpOn Thanks for your advice. I am trying to troubleshoot this.
When I go into my kitchen with the WiFi Analyzer App running it seems like the signal strength is still good (in the green zone).
I did notice that for some reason when I am in this app trying to chck signal strength, when it asks me to "Select AP" it lists 4 times my SSID that I am using. And maybe related, when I try to select my SSID on my computer from the list of available wif. Not sure where the "4" came from or why its there...I guess it corresponds to the fact that I see 4 different times my AP name in the Wifi ANalyzer app?
How would I use this to try and do the troubleshooting you suggested about whether the phone is jumping channels when near the large appliances?
I have also checked with the Orbi App as you suggested.
Both my phone and my wife's phone show as connected to 5GHz when in the kitchen near appliances, etc. I have full WIFI bars on my Android although she is not getting great coverage on her IPhone in terms of the WIFI bars (only 1-2 showing).
Thanks
Yes, the WiFi Analyzer will recognize every Orbi radio. With one router and one satellite, that should be two 2.4G radios and two 5G radios. Plus, there will be some signals with "Unknown" for the SSID, which are the Orbi backhaul signals, usually in the 5G spectrum about channel 155, plus one "Unknown" 2.4G signal which is a backup Orbi backhaul signal.
If the device changes from 5G to 2.4G or from router to satellite, that change should show up in the "Attached Devices" web page (or on the Orbi app), but not immediately. When I have the Attached Devices page up, it "refreshes" at regular intervals, and sometimes it takes more than one refresh before a change like this shows up.
I appreciate also the comment about the phone recognizing that the cell signal was good enough to switch from WiFi calling to LTE (or not). Obviously, a laptop is not going to do that. I know that some time ago, I was regularly annoyed when I would park my car somewhere, open my cell phone, and have "no internet" because a nearby business had a WiFi signal and my phone wanted to switch to it and dropped my LTE connection for data. My current phone doesn't seem to do this, and I am SO glad.
I tried this both with WIFI Calling on any my phone also able to access LTE, and in Airplane mode where it can only use WIFI Calling. It was definitely no better in Airplane, so I dont think it has anything to do with the phone switching between WIFI Calling and LTE.
So I think its back to focusing on why the quality degrades in that room given my Orbi settings, especially since I see full bars.
As I mentioned, both devices seem to be on 5Ghz in that room which I am surprised. Given that its further and has obstructions, based on what I have read they should perform better on 2.4 GHz there.
Is it possible that the fact they arent on 2.4 might be causing some of these issues? Is there any way to make sure they default to 2.4 so I can check?