PLW1000 and cell phone WiFi (extender)

Question

I have successfullg installed a PLW1000 in townhouse with thick walls. I changed the SSID for the PLW1000 network to the same SSID as my main router.

I can see the "bars" drop off from themain WiFi network as I walk away from main router. My PC laptop will then AUTOMATICALLY switch to the PLW1000 network without any trouble.

BUT, my Samsung phone won't automatically switch over to the new network, even though it's the same SSID. I have to turn off WiFi on the phone, turn it on, and then it grabs the stronger PLW1000 signal.

So, why do WiFi devices behave differently. BTW, The guys at BestBuy tel me they have 4-6 in-store router hotspots and all devices dynamically connect to the strongest signal.

ps: i MUST use the same SSID throughout the house due to SONOS WiFi audio system

clithes · Answer

Your cell phone is probably still maintaining a reasonable connection (in its own settings) so keeps the original wi-fi. Your laptop may have software to ensure it always picks the strongest signal.

There's an app for cell phones called Wifi Manager where one of the options is to always pick the strongest wi-fi.

I have never used it before, may be worth a look?

hope this helps

DrHitch · Answer

Yes, I have tried a couple of Android apps that supposedly "correct" the problem when moving around the facility (house) from one access point to another. It seems the bog problem with Android devices is their inability to auto-switch between two access points that are on the SAME network (same SSID).

So, when I move around the house, I have to turn off the Android device (phone, tablet) WiFi and then re-start the EiFi and it re-connects to the stronger signal. Here's the thread from the Android forum.

http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/74754/can-android-switch-to-the-wireless-ap-with-the-strongest-signal

ps: problem does NOT happen with a PC and its WiFi is smart enough to auto-switch access points to strongest signal.

TheEther · Answer

It's not just Android. It happens with Apple iOS, too.

It may seem counterintuitive but try moving the PLW1000 further apart or reducing the transmit power on the router, if it has support to do so (many models do not). The idea is to reduce the overlap in Wi-Fi signals, which will encourage devices to switch signals more readily. The downside is that those may introduce dead spots.

There are a trio of protocols that deal with Wi-Fi roaming (802.11k, 802.11r and 802.11v), but most consumer network brands don't support them.

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PLW1000 and cell phone WiFi (extender)

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