To provide some background to the problems....
Initially, the tablet connected with a very weak signal, and dropped out regularly. So following Vodafone's guidance, we waited c. 10 days for the router to "optimize" itself. If anything the problem got worse. The devices only connect when they are within 1 metre of the router. Moving out of the hall where the router is, the signal is lost, even though I am still less than 2 metres from the router.
I have been in contact with support a number of times, and following their guidance have tried:
- Splitting the SSID
- Resetting the router
- Provided video connection from my mobile phone for the support engineer to view the location and cabling.
- Demonstrated to the support engineer that moving the device away from the router results in the connection being lost.
I've used WiFi Analyzer software on my mobile and laptop, both show the same results - the router is using the same band as other routers in the neighbourhood. On one occasion, there were 6 networks sharing the channel, and despite being beside the router, the Vodafone router was the 5th out of 6 in terms of signal strength.
On one occasion the channel changed - to another clogged up channel. There does appear to be a saturation problem on 2.4ghz, but that doesn't explain why Vodafone's signal is weaker despite easily the closest, with no walls in the way. It's a terrace house by the way, not a flat.
I've been talking to support engineers 5 times now, 3 of them while at the premises. But still they want me to go back again, to do the same checks that have already been done (reset router, video feed). Only one has hinted that the Vodafone router is not up to the job. Next post - options available.
