SSID split to 2.4Ghz only

[jab13]

Hi, I am a brand new Vodafone broadband customer and have just set up my system network. I have a white Vodafone Power Hub DSL with WiFi6 router.  Whilst most things have connected to the router OK (including my Echo Dot which is 2.4GHz and had to be connected via the Secondary Wifi, which you can use if you toggle on the Compatibility mode), I have several other 2.4Ghz devices (CCTV, Smart sockets, light bulbs etc) that are unable to connect to the new network. These worked fine with my previous broadband supplier TalkTalk (as I was able to split SSIDs and have one specific to 2.4Ghz only).

Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have an option to split the networks with Vodafone and give a different SSID to the 2.4 network as there are no band selection options. The Compatibility Option does not work as it creates an SSID which combines 2.4Ghz/5Ghz with no option to split it. Or rather the option to split is there but cannot be applied when selected (why have the option there if it cannot be applied)! I have just spent a frustrating 2 hours on WebChat with Vodfone with three seperate advisors to no avail (absolutely frustrating).

In short, all I need is an SSID that has 2.4Ghz (which will ensure a stable connection for my CCTV).

Has anyone had a similar experience and have you resolved it?  

[jab13]

Hi, I've got things working now, so don't really want to press my luck by switching things around😬😆.

I was going to go down the route of setting up a second router but thought I would try the WiFi Extender solution first as it seemed far easier and I wasn't certain that TalkTalk wouldn't ask for their old router back. 

FYI ... for my WiFi Extender to work, I just plugged it into a normal 3 pin wall plug socket and pressed the WPS button on it and then pressed the WPS on my Vodafone Router to pair.  Once paired, the extender showed up on my network as the same WiFi Name as my router with a _EXT at the end of it.  i.e. Vodafone123ABCD_EXT.  As it paired successfully, the WiFi Extender password became the same as the original Vodafone WiFi router password. (If I turned off the Vodafone WiFI, then I could not have paired the WiFi Extender to it...so not sure how that could have worked). This is the WiFi Extender I used ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NIUHAG6?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 

[Jayach]

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@jab13 wrote:
Hi, I've got things working now, so don't really want to press my luck by switching things around😬😆.

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That's what I thought you may say. Don't blame you.

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@jab13 wrote:
(If I turned off the Vodafone WiFI, then I could not have paired the WiFi Extender to it...so not sure how that could have worked). 

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I was assuming the extender was hard wired, so no it wouldn't have worked. (I should have realised it wasn't as you said you connected it by WPS)

Very glad you found a solution, and hopefully it will help some others.

[jab13]

BTW - Does anyone know if Vodafone monitors Forum Q&As?  This seems to be a common question/problem that pops up regularly.  It seems mad that new routers are not backwards compatible to older technology (meaning that people have to buy new tech at more expense and landfill/recycle obsolete tech).  It also seems ridiculous that the Vodafone router appears to have the functionality to actually create a separate 2.4Ghz SSID but not the ability to APPLY it as options are greyed out in Expert Mode.  Unbelievable and so time consuming.  I've wasted about 6 hours of my life on this issue.  You can tell I am not a happy bunny!

[Cynric]

@jab13 What you describe other ISPs also do. I've seen the PlusNet one and it only offers three channels on the 2.4GHz band and you can't select which one to use. It seems to me that if the router has fewer configurable aspects then the less requirements need be fulfilled by the help desk therefore saving money. 

[jab13]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.  Much appreciated. 

To summarise ... two workaround solutions found; just read the threads above.

Thanks again, everyone.

[hezie99]

 managed to sort mine by setting up and old phone as an access point then connecting them that way.. using the same ssid and password. fixed my issue. I still find it mad that you cannot split them even though the router actually has that option built in but is just disabled.

[jab13]

One last thing ... I raised this issue with Vodafone as a complaint on 6/1/24, via their website online complaint form https://complaints.vodafone.co.uk/resource?id=11306244&db=vodafone. To be fair, their Complaints team got back to me quickly (within 24 hours). After a bit of a discussion, we negotiated a £60 credit on my Broadband bill. Not a huge amount but it all helps. I would ask that anyone who has time/inclination, to raise a complaint with this issue as well. If enough of us complain, then maybe someone at Vodafone will sit up and take notice and make this functionality available (it would be so easy to do, as the options in Expert Mode on the Router are there, albeit greyed out; all it would take is for someone in Head Office IT to click a box and make this functionality available...problem solved).