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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
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?
WPJoe wrote: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?
You cannot force a device to go to 2.4G, and I do not see how that would make any difference. If the phone seems to "drop" and then reconnect to the same Orbi, then you may have to inch patiently across the kitchen, looking for the exact spot where this happens. As long as this experiment is providing stimulation while you "shelter in place", that's all I can suggest. Or, stay out of the kitchen.
Hahaha understood thanks.
One last question - I am confused by what I am seeing.
My wife's iphone shows on the Orbi App under Device Manager as having low WIFI bars even though her phone shows high WIFI bars.
In fact, when I put her phone in airplane mode completely and turn the Wifi Off, the Orbi Device Manager app is still showing her phone as connected with low WIFI. I waited for several minutes to allow refresh and it never disappeared from the list or showed different bar coverage. Is that potentially an issue?
WPJoe wrote:In fact, when I put her phone in airplane mode completely and turn the Wifi Off, the Orbi Device Manager app is still showing her phone as connected with low WIFI. I waited for several minutes to allow refresh and it never disappeared from the list or showed different bar coverage. Is that potentially an issue?
The Orbi "app" remains sort of mystery to me, as are "Bars". Probably a topic for the forum devoted entirely to the Orbi app:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-App/bd-p/en-home-orbi-app
Ordinarily, I would suggest trying to "Ping" the phone from some other device. But, I just tried my wife's iPhone and iPad and neither respond to ping. I do not know if they have to be "open" to respond, or if they simply do not allow ping at all.
- I suggest to try different wifi channels for the 5 and 2.4 GHz bands. It seems that you have disturbances on the 2.4 GHz band in the kitchen, maybe from the microwave oven or something else.
This is (yet) another factor that might be in play, except that back in message 22 he said the phones were connected to the 5G band.
Microwave interference on the 2.4G band is fairly well known. On the 5G band, I'm not so certain.
We dont own a microwave.
I have been running Wifi Analyzer in the kitchen and it shows the interference as shown in the attached screenshot (couldnt figure out how to post a picture?)
Its then suggesting better channels would be "9+13" or "13+9" but I dont understand what that means? Those arent single channels...sorry if that should be obvious
There should also be a screen for the 5G band.
Attached for 5G.
Can these settings be changed from the Orbi App?
Looks like Advanced Settings can only by changed via PC login?
Also noticing that it is recommending channels like 157 but Orbi doesnt allow for anything more than 48?
WPJoe wrote:.....
Its then suggesting better channels would be "9+13" or "13+9" but I dont understand what that means? Those arent single channels...sorry if that should be obvious
- Which network is yours in this graph, is it the OBADLG? Why do you have 2 networks if you don't have satellites?
- Looks from the graph that you are using channel 6 currently, and that channel is pretty busy as seen on the graph. Please try channel 11.
- Which channels are available in Orbi in your country, in the settings in the web GUI?
- You can't use the Orbi app to change channels, you need to use the web GUI.
- Does the same issue happen in all your phones? What type of phones are you using in your household? I think the phone should choose LTE or 3G radio when the quality of the wifi radio is bad. If it does not do that then it seems that the phone does not have the correct threasholds to correctly select the radios.
CrimpOn wrote:This is (yet) another factor that might be in play, except that back in message 22 he said the phones were connected to the 5G band.
Microwave interference on the 2.4G band is fairly well known. On the 5G band, I'm not so certain.
I meant that the phone should switch from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz in the kitchen, but it seems that interference on the 2.4 GHz in the kitchen is not allowing this so the phone stays on the 5 GHz band. This is what I think.
Im not sure why its showing 2. ABove I asked why I was seeing 4 OBADLG's and someone said there are two each for 2.4 and 5...so I thought maybe thats why?
Here in the US, my choices max out at 11 channels for 2.4 and channel 48 for 5 Mhz
WPJoe wrote:Im not sure why its showing 2. ABove I asked why I was seeing 4 OBADLG's and someone said there are two each for 2.4 and 5...so I thought maybe thats why?
Here in the US, my choices max out at 11 channels for 2.4 and channel 48 for 5 Mhz
You don't have a satellite so you should only see 1 x 2.4 GHz channel and 1 x 5 GHz channels belonging to the main network.
Do you happen to have the Guest network SSID same as the main network?
Well....this is embarassing!
After your post I went to investigate. My son had originally set up this network and it turns out I was incorrect. We do have a second Orbi! It i sin the basement which is underneath the kitchen. Which must be what were seeing.
I imagine that opens up different issues that could be affecting why I lose the Wifi coverage in the kitchen and different settings I need to check?
Really sorry for that idiotic oversight :(This second Orbi has the identical WiFi name (SSID) and password as the primary Orbi?
Or, is this another satellite off the primary Orbi router?
(I understand the situation is stressful for you, but it is a welcome distraction for some of us. "Why" and "How" are questions we enjoy.)
Haha well thanks for making me feel a little less bad for leading you on a wild goose chase.
I think the second orbi has the same SSID and pw? I think it was set up as a satellite - it shows up as "Connected Satellites" under the Attached Devices tab on the Orbilogin. It says "Orbi Router" under the column titled "Connected Orbi" and it says tehe Backhaul Status is Good.
But I dont want to share the wrong ifo (again) so is there something I should be doing to check and give you a more precise answer?
As you can see it looks like in the kitchen it has almost the same signal strength as the primary router...
I am also now seeing three durves that all seem associated with my WIFI as far as I can tell?
The Yellow one was not overlapping yesterday and its unlabeled...not sure what it is?
Trying to restart this - do you guys think that the overlap of the two 5GHz networks from the Orbi and from its satellite is causing the issues I may be having with WIFI Calling in that room? And if so is there anything I can do to manage that?
What is the distance between the router and satellite(s)? 30 feet is recommended in between RBR and RBS to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected. https://kb.netgear.com/000036466/How-far-should-I-place-my-Orbi-satellite-from-my-Orbi-router
Beamforming and MIMO(MIMO may or maynot be needed) and WMM should be enabled. Under Advanced Tab/Advanced Settings/Wireless Settings
Try enabling the following and see:
Fast Roaming, Set 20/40Mhz Coexistence to 40Mhz only. Set Short preamble instead of Long preamble modes. Save settings and reboot the router and satellite(s).Otherwise it's up to the connecting devices to pick and choose the signals they connect too. Also some may not have any roaming support as well.
WPJoe wrote:Trying to restart this - do you guys think that the overlap of the two 5GHz networks from the Orbi and from its satellite is causing the issues I may be having with WIFI Calling in that room? And if so is there anything I can do to manage that?
Thanks so much for this reply I really appreciate it.
I did change to those settings as you suggested on the main router, but I never rebooted the satellite. So I will do that.
All of the satellite settings are managed by the settings of the rrouter correct? Also someone asked if the satellite has the same SSID as the router...I think thats automatically the case?
Yes RBS settings are managed by the RBR and Yes the RBS should have same SSID name. You can check this by logging into the RBS web page using the IP address give to by the RBR.
WPJoe wrote:Thanks so much for this reply I really appreciate it.
I did change to those settings as you suggested on the main router, but I never rebooted the satellite. So I will do that.
All of the satellite settings are managed by the settings of the rrouter correct? Also someone asked if the satellite has the same SSID as the router...I think thats automatically the case?
Yes I did make those changes - currently operating on channels 11 & 48
FURRYe38 - my routers are more than 30 feet apart. they are on two different levels of my house. but my house isnt that large (~2500 sq ft) and the kitchen is probably about halfway between the router and satellite.
In researching this issue I had read that in these circumstances I should NOT activate Fast Roaming as its really more for larger, more spread out networks.
Just wanted to confirm - you think I should try activating it?
Ok. Thanks for the info.
You can enable Fast roaming to see whether it changes anything or not. If not, then you can always disable Fast Roaming.
WPJoe wrote:FURRYe38 - my routers are more than 30 feet apart. they are on two different levels of my house. but my house isnt that large (~2500 sq ft) and the kitchen is probably about halfway between the router and satellite.
In researching this issue I had read that in these circumstances I should NOT activate Fast Roaming as its really more for larger, more spread out networks.
Just wanted to confirm - you think I should try activating it?
- 1. Does the same issue happen in all your phones? What type of phones are you using in your household? I think the phone should choose LTE or 3G radio when the quality of the wifi radio is bad. If it does not do that then it seems that the phone does not have the correct threasholds to correctly select the radios.
2. In the phone settings for wifi calling, is the any setting if 4G or wifi calling is preferred?
3. If you disable wifi on the phone does it then connect to 4G (LTE) or 3G? Yes this happens on both my Galaxy S9 and my wife's iPhone.
The issue is we have weak wireless coverage in our home that goes in and out constantly, so we use Wifi Calling. I dont know exactly how AT&Ts WIFI calling works. On my phone its eihter On or Off but I dont see a settings for it.
If you disable WIFI it will try to connect to 4G but the coverage is often very spotty.
The WIFI Calling is working. It sometimes goes in and out a little bit around the house (even though the WIFI signal is strong) and there is one room in particular (our kitchen) where it is consistently very bad.
