Why is wi-fi so slow on mobile devices?

[Dark Penguin]

I recently changed carriers, and in the process went from a Windows Mobile smart phone to an Android. I've been intending to keep the WinMo device around to use on wi-fi networks as available; among other things, this device has a better camera than my new phone. I also thought it made sense just to have a spare device just in case. If I ever have to have my new device replaced or repaired, at least I could still use the old one to check my email or listen to radio streams via my household router.

Or so I thought. Because whenever I try to access anything on the Internet this way, I can't do it. The progress bar just hangs...and hangs...and hangs...and eventually times out. I thought that might be happening because there's some blocking mechanism that prevents the device from accessing any kind of network, unless there's a currently active contract with the carrier. I really don't understand yet what "locking" is--is this it?

But regardless: when I tried to do the same thing with my new Optimus, I got the same thing--nothing would load, at least not within a reasonable amount of time.

With regard to the new Android, would rooting it make this work better? And for the old one, changing it over from WinMo to Android??

 

[srkmagnus]

WiFi wouldn't be impacted by rooting the device. Hows your proximity to the router? If you are far away you'll probably have this problem. Otherwise, try a reset on the router and see if that improves the connection. I have no problems with my cdma Hero, Evo, blackberry and other devices brought over by friends and family.

 

[Dark Penguin]

WiFi wouldn't be impacted by rooting the device. Hows your proximity to the router? If you are far away you'll probably have this problem. Otherwise, try a reset on the router and see if that improves the connection. I have no problems with my cdma Hero, Evo, blackberry and other devices brought over by friends and family.

The router is in the next room, probably about 15 feet away as the x-ray flies, situated on top of a china cabinet (hence, well off the ground). In the same general direction, although not directly interposed, is the bedroom satellite box and TV, and the TV itself is a large analog model.

I'll go and reset the router now, but I tend to doubt that's the issue. No matter how good my notebook or mobile device says the locally dominant WLAN signal is, the result's the same.

 

[jwolfe99]

Works on mine as well but with the new 2.3.4 release (Gingerbread) it takes like 1-1.5 mins to negotiate the connection. Before with Froyo it took like 10-15 secs. Same phone and everything, only difference is the OS.



Julian

 

[oxymoron]

I have no problems with wifi on my D1 running 2.3.5

Do you need to authenticate your session first, as when you connect to an open network like McD's or Starbucks?

*customized tapatalk signature*

 

[Devinator]

I recently changed carriers, and in the process went from a Windows Mobile smart phone to an Android. I've been intending to keep the WinMo device around to use on wi-fi networks as available; among other things, this device has a better camera than my new phone. I also thought it made sense just to have a spare device just in case. If I ever have to have my new device replaced or repaired, at least I could still use the old one to check my email or listen to radio streams via my household router.

Or so I thought. Because whenever I try to access anything on the Internet this way, I can't do it. The progress bar just hangs...and hangs...and hangs...and eventually times out. I thought that might be happening because there's some blocking mechanism that prevents the device from accessing any kind of network, unless there's a currently active contract with the carrier. I really don't understand yet what "locking" is--is this it?

But regardless: when I tried to do the same thing with my new Optimus, I got the same thing--nothing would load, at least not within a reasonable amount of time.

With regard to the new Android, would rooting it make this work better? And for the old one, changing it over from WinMo to Android??

Do you have another router you can try and test this with? Or, have you tried a friend's network? If you don't have this problem with another network, then, you know the problem is with your router. If you still have the same problem, then, at least you know the problem is with the phone. I'd get that sorted out first.