Samsung Galaxy S2 - 5GHz WiFi Question

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prevaljo

175 posts

Master Geek

#103414 6-Jun-2012 20:18

I recently had the opportunity to replace my old D-Link Wireless Router, I selected as its replacement a Belkin N750DB Wireless Router which seems to function well. This gives me the option of a 2.4GHz and a 5GHz channels.

I set the router up with different SSIDs on each channel, and hoped that I would be able to connect at 5GHz with my SGS2.

I can see both SSIDs with my iPad 1, and can connect to the 5GHz channel.

My SGS2 can only see and connect to the 2.4GHz channel, it cannot see the 5GHz SSID at all. Using the android app "WiFi Analyser" the SGS2 cannot see the 5GHz channel at all.

The SGS2 is running ICS

Android 4.0.3,
Baseband Version l9100XXLPS
Kernal Version 3.0.15-l9100XWLP7-CL340913 dpi@DELL134#3
Build Number IML74K.XWLP7

Does anybody know if there is a known issue with ICS and WiFi at 5GHz, the net seems to have a number of people having issues with locking up and rebooting and needing to remove the battery to restart since ICS was released, I have only had one reboot when enabling WiFi and that was while trying to get the 5GHz wireless to connect.

John

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#636965 6-Jun-2012 21:13

Most older mobile chipsets only support 2.4GHz at 72Mbps, however the SGS2 does appear to support 5GHz.

The 'newer' Snapdragon S4 supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

The SG2 may only support 802.11n and not 802.11a
Check you are using 5GHz 802.11n on the router.

Also check you're not using a 40MHz wide channel and if that doesn't help then try using a lower number channel as there may be limitations due to international regulations on WiFi use.

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#636988 6-Jun-2012 21:45

I didn't think apple did 5ghz n? The S2 definitely does do 5ghz n though

prevaljo

175 posts

Master Geek

#637046 6-Jun-2012 23:16

Thanks for the responses I've tried changing the channels etc and it made no difference. But it did give me food for thought. The Belkin 5GHz channels are 149, 153, 157, 161, 165, these are standard for America and Australia (I assume NZ also). These channels are not allowed in Europe where they use 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140 and others.

Is it a possibility that the SGS2 which was a parallel import (Germany I think) is blocked in the Android OS from accessing the 5GHz channels used in NZ. It's just a theory....

John

DrStrangelove

368 posts

Ultimate Geek

#637066 7-Jun-2012 01:00

I think you'll find you can't use those high frequencies and you have to stick with channels 36 - 48 in the 5,180GHz to 5.240GHz range. I think your assumptions are probably correct.

Like everything else, Germany has rules for WiFi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

If your WiFi router can accommodate a third party firmware, you may be able to transmit a wider range of 5GHz frequencies.

Interestingly the only country that doesn't operate in the 5.170GHz to 5.320GHz range is China, so bit surprised if your router doesn't support the lower frequencies.

You get your Belkin 'cheap' from China?????? ;-)

Even standard Linksys firmware provide 36 through to 48.

prevaljo

175 posts

Master Geek

#637082 7-Jun-2012 06:54

Not China, from Noel Leemings and not particularly cheap. I am surprised about the fact it doesn't appear on the surface to support a wider number of channels. I presume this is part of the zoning a la DVDs (zone1-4) to meet the regulations of the country in which it is sold.

I will continue to search the Belkin site for clues on how to change. I presume America isn't the only market for Belkin.

There presumably must also be an option at the phone end to extend the channel range as once again the hardware will be standard, only the software will be regionalised.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#637391 7-Jun-2012 15:44

SGS2 supports 11n, but not 11a. Not all modems/radios and/or firmware(s) support it though.

It may be locked to the low band 36-48Mhz frequencies.

The Galaxy Note _does_ support 5Ghz, but as it's only single channel, there's still not much benefit other than maybe a less crowded spectrum.

@KnightNZ

nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#637399 7-Jun-2012 16:01

Possibly a silly question, but have you set the Wifi frequency band on your S2? Go into the wifi network list, menu button, advanced, wifi frequency band > auto

My S2 works fine connecting to a 5ghz only Airport express set on Ch 36

Equinox IT

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richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#637405 7-Jun-2012 16:16

My s2 is connecting fine to a linksys dual band G and A accesspoint, no N at all. Means I can browse while nuking food in the kitchen, while the flatmates network grinds to a halt ;)

Richard rich.ms

prevaljo

175 posts

Master Geek

#637494 7-Jun-2012 20:00

I have checked all the settings and they are all as they should be (I think).

The router doesn't appear to support the channels 36-48 which would allow connection to the SGS2..

I have logged a support question with Belkin and hope the answer is positive. Finding any detail about this router is harder than it should be.