Prioritise Wifi home connection over 3G connection

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Prioritise Wifi home connection over 3G connection

Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#54432 17-Dec-2009 16:42

I'm just trying to make sure that my new phone isn't going to connect to 3G randomly as it appears to be doing at the moment. I've tried searching but don't really know what to search for.

So what i want is this.
When within range of a known Wifi signal, i want the phone to connect to this.
When out of range of a known Wifi signal, i want it to ask me no matter what app i'm using if i want to connect through 3G.

The new phone is an N86. I have been using an N82 for ages but it's older Sybian version always pops up asking what connection i want to use. The N86 doesn't appear to do this so i'm pretty sur eyou need a third party app to get this done.

So far i've looked at Psilock and SmartConnect. SmartConnect is currently installed but i really have no idea how to get it going.

Has anyone used either of these apps and knows what i need to do to get the desired result or am i in a losing battle?

Thanks in advance.

Damo-K

67 posts

Master Geek

#283487 17-Dec-2009 16:58

Hey there, I've been using SmartConnect. The aim is to create a connection group for what you want and set the applications to use the connection group instead of the single access point. I have two set up - one for Wi-Fi connections and one for Wi-Fi + 3G connections (depending on whether the app is appropriate to use on only WiFi or both).

So, create at least one Connection Group, enter it and then put all the Wi-Fi connections at the top and end it with the 3G connection. The top entry has the highest priority, whereas the lowest one (3G) will have the lowest and used only if the rest aren't available.

Then, in each of the applications there's generally the option of setting it to use a specific connection so set it to use your new Connection Group (it'll show up like another access pont).

Caveats I've found so far:
- Not all applications will allow you to choose a default AP, most Java apps included
- "Smart" applications that detect whether you are on a 3G or Wi-Fi will detect it as a Wi-Fi regardless
- Roaming between Wi-Fi and 3G will not be autodetected (at least, wasn't for me on my N95) and the app will need to relinquish the connection and reconnect to pick up if Wi-Fi is in range.
- Connecting to 3G is a bit slower as it will sniff out Wi-Fi SSIDs first before determining there are no suitable ones available.

This is pretty rough but it should get you started - it took a little while to get the hang of it for me too.

Edit: Sorry, just actually *read* what you wanted. You may not get the desired effect (at least when using SmartConnect) but you might be able to get close by setting up a Wi-Fi group of all known Wi-Fi and then telling the apps to use this connection group. Then, when it fails, you get the prompt to choose a network and at that point you could choose 3G but that really depends on whether the app prompts you for another connection on failure or whether it just cries foul upon not finding the desired connection.

Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#283497 17-Dec-2009 17:57

Thanks for the reply, i think i understand it now. Simpler than i had thought... heh.

I guess i'll have a few weeks of tinkering and will just have to wait and see if i have any trouble i'll play with something else.

Thanks for the help.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#283642 18-Dec-2009 09:37

SmartConnect is a fantastic app, I've used it for a long time on my E65 and E71. It's far superior to the Psiloc program which I paid for and hated because of the way it managed AP's.

My understanding was all newer Symbian FP2 and above handsets had connection groups built in which makes SMartConnect obsolete, does the N86 not have this?

Disrespective

1926 posts

Uber Geek

#283647 18-Dec-2009 09:46

It may well have them built in, but i'm just not up with the play enough to know what i'm looking for *shame* I'm still doing my research so will tack that on the list of things to get sorted out.

jmosen

551 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#284240 20-Dec-2009 20:15

The N86 has this functionality built in, no need for a third party app.

Find what you're looking for under Settings, Connection, Destinations. I have all WiFi access points I visit regularly prioritised over my Vodafone connection.

Jonathan