Channel Hopping ! (a.k.a Optinisation)

[mikeyar]

As a loyal customer of TT for the past twenty years I've rarely experienced problems with my service. Through DSL, VDSL and now Fibre 150 things have been fine until now with the TT business decision to 'force' channel optimisation. I suppose management looked at the market place and what competitors were doing and believed that the introduction of optimisation was a "random act of kindness" that we should all be grateful for?

In practice, and from other comments on the forum, it seems that I and a number of others are suffering from channel hopping and 'random interruptions' to a once reliable sevice. In my case my Ring security system (doorbell, cameras etc) does not tolerate optimisation.

My trusty Sagemcom 5364 combined with a Lizard Systems scanner identifies 53 networks in the vicinity of my home (only one of these is also with TT). Some are dual 2.4/5 frequency and some are 2.4 only. Most of my IofTs choose 5 but my Ring system is a couple of years old and requires 2.4 to function. It has always worked ok on channel 6 (RSSI - 60) until recently but optimisation now randomly changes the 2.4 to channel 1 (RSSI - 73) with the corresponding decrement to signal strength, quality and poor functionality.

Some of the nearest nextworks (neighbours also with Ring systems), a mix of Sky, Virgin, Vodaphone and EE (BT), have also suffered through the impact of optimisation as we all seem to be 'fighting' each other daily due to frequent and automatic 'tinkering' with our settings - logical if you think about it.

However, the advantage most of my neighbours have over me, is their supplied hardware has, in settings, the ability to switch off optimisation. So, as TT management believes it knows best in meeting the needs of ALL customers (one size fits all), I appear to have three choices to TT's one - sacrifice my home security system, move supplier (contract expires mid-January) or purchase a third party router capable of blocking 'optimisation'.

Will TT have a change of heart and provide customer choice once more? If it ain't broke don't fix it !

Regards
Mike

[KeithFrench]

Hi @mikeyar 

If you don't want my help that is fine.

[mikeyar]

Hi Michelle

thank you for your contribution but it would seem I'm the "unfortunate" one regarding TT's decision.

Hi Keith

As a longtime 'Star I appreciate your offer of help but my analysis is quite simple -  a constant, reliable fibre 150 mbps each and every day on both 2.4 and 5 frequencies with a signal quality of 99%. Recent analysis of nearby networks using 2.4 reveals two on channel 6 (me and a Virgin customer) 6 networks using channel 11 and 5 networks using channel 1. My other items on 5 are unaffected even when alternating between ranges 44 or 106.

So, I set my Ring system to channel 6 and no problem but a random forced change to channel 1 impacts its functionality. Therefore, I appreciate your offer of help but it looks like the onus falls on the customer and I'll have to consider my options.

Keep up your good work

Mike

[KeithFrench]

Hi @mikeyar 

@Michelle-TalkTalk has asked me to help you. Sometimes I can provide totally impartial advice, but sometimes I find that the problem is not caused by WiFi Optimisation at all. If I think TalkTalk need to do something to resolve your problems I will advise them of that on your behalf.

Slow speed, intermittent dropouts, breaks in the signal or no signal on some or all devices or no internet access might be caused by Wi-Fi interference from other local networks, which can also lead to a permanent reduction in speed. No ISP can be responsible for your local environment, this is mainly a byproduct of the popularity of Wi-Fi.

Generally speaking, the 2.4GHz band suffers a lot more from interference than the much faster 5GHz band, but the 2.4GHz one can sometimes have a better range, but this all depends on your local area.

In other words, I try to help you optimise your Wi-Fi connection. The next stage involves sending out a guide to you to help you get me some important diagnostic results so that I can analyse them for you and recommend changes to your router configuration to solve them.

I only send this out to people who request it.

The information below is provided by TalkTalk, for confirmation please contact @Debbie-TalkTalk or@Michelle-TalkTalk.

KeithFrench is one of our valued Community Stars and can help with a range of issues related to wireless and networking. At times he may ask you to send him test results via a Private Message to help analyse/diagnose an issue. Although Keith does not work for TalkTalk, he very kindly shares his time and knowledge to help with others.

If you need further help or, if we need to take any details such as personal information about your account like phone numbers, account numbers etc. one of the TalkTalk team will jump in and help out.

[Michelle-TalkTalk]

Good morning,

Unfortunately this was a business decision so we're unable to switch off wifi optimisation for you. @KeithFrench would you be able to offer any additional advice on the wireless connection please?

Thanks

Michelle

[Divsec]

Hi @mikeyar I'd be tempted to treat myself to a new router my possibly Asus although many other excellent brands are available.

I'd also be using optimisation to negotiate a really fabulous renewal deal!

your post has been escalated and you should hear on Monday.