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Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

EmyrEvans — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 08:56:28 GMT

Apologies for a rookie question.

I have a BT Smart Hub 2 and a white disk, hard-wired connected to it for upstairs.

It's showing me two netowrks available: A BT WholeHome and a separate BT network.

I only want my devices to see one network throughout the house. Is is possible to merge them into one?

Many thanks

Emyr

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:42:24 GMT

Yes - & no!

You can rename the SSID of either to match the other to give one visible network. But devices are unlikely to roam seamlessly between them. Not an issue for static devices but mobile devices may well cling onto a weak signal right up to the point where it drops completely before switching. So you may still need to switch manually, which will be more difficult with them having the same name. So rather than just connecting to the other network name you'll have to disconnect & reconnect & hope it then picks up the stronger signal.

But this is all mostly down to the software/drivers on the mobile device, so they only way to find out for sure how it will work for you is to try it.

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

stevebrass — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:28:31 GMT

On iPhones etc you can tell the device to forget a particular wifi network

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

licquorice — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:31:02 GMT

You don't have Complete WiFi, which does act as one network with the hub, you have Whole Home which is a standalone mesh system that can be used with any router.

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

stevebrass — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:36:35 GMT

@licquoricewrote:
You don't have Complete WiFi, which does act as one network with the hub, you have Whole Home which is a standalone mesh system that can be used with any router.

So the OP could switch off the wifi on the hub?

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

EmyrEvans — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:43:43 GMT

Ah, thanks for you replies guys.

This is what BT say I'm on...

They mention Complete Wi-Fi, but I'm a bit confussed - sorry about that!

Let me re-phrase the question... How do I change so that I just have ONE network SSID throughout the house?

Don't mind spending on more hardware if required.

Thanks again

Emyr

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

licquorice — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:48:45 GMT

By simply changing the SSID of the hub to that of the whole home discs, however, as @Anonymous has said, it won't give you seamless roaming.

Do you actually want one network name or a seamless mesh, they are not the same thing.

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:49:25 GMT

Whole Home is the white discs that are purchased.

Complete WiFi is the black discs which as @licquorice said, will give you what you want.

The question is why are BT charging you for Complete WiFi but apparently have not supplied any discs? Did you buy the white discs or have BT maybe supplied the wrong one in error?

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

EmyrEvans — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:56:10 GMT

Thanks.
Seamless mesh I think, so that the signal strength is strong everywhere.
Looks like I need the black disks, not the white one!

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

EmyrEvans — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:57:58 GMT

Not sure - I'll give them a ring I think!
So it looks like I need a black disk so that I just have one network, strong signal everyshere..
Many thanks for your timre 🙂

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

licquorice — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:01:19 GMT

Seamless mesh has nothing to do with signal strength, it just means you can move around with a mobile device and it will switch between WiFi signals without a slight interruption.

Black, complete WiFi discs will accomplish that.

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

Les-Gibson — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:01:37 GMT

If you have the white disks then the only way you can achieve one seamless mesh with one SSID is to disable the Wi-Fi on the hub

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:03:36 GMT

https://www.bt.com/broadband/complete-wifi

So you should have been supplied with at least one black disc as part of your package.

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

EmyrEvans — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:31:24 GMT

THANK YOU for all your help guys - now sorted.

I've rang BT and they are going to send me a black disk so I can have Complete Wi-fi (which I'm paying for).

My confusion was not understanding the difference between Whole Home and Complete Wi-Fi. Now I do.

Thanks again

Emyr

Re: Complete Wi-Fi acting as Two Networks

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:43:25 GMT

If you need them, I think you can request up to three.