BT Wi-fi nightmare!!!

[Maxi]

Can anyone help????

I own 2 coffee shops and have BT in both. I have one wireless router in each shop (the same type).

I run the credit card machine through my broadband/router, use the wireless router to connect to the internet when I visit the shops via my laptop AND use the BT Fusion feature for customers to access our 'FREE WI-FI' which we advertise in the window.

Our wi-fi just constantly keeps dropping off, customers are always complaining, our credit card machine is always playing up. We have the same problems at both shops!! Especially with the wi-fi dropping off.

Customer shave totally lost faith in our free wi-fi and have stopped using us for that reason. It's beyond a joke now and feel let down by a service which I pay good money for and am on contract for with BT.

I understand that credit card machines can cause interuptions with broadband (why  dont know) but what about the wi-fi???? I have tried setting it to different channels, we switch off and on pretty much daily, we have had our line checked and apparently its 'really good band width' but still we are left in this situation!!

We have constant problems and have been in touch with BT so many times I've lost count. Hence why I am trying this forum.... please can anyone shed any light on this issue as I'd be very grateful!!

Many thanks,

Maxi

[JohnE]

I am sorry that you are having difficulty with this, Maxi.

The Fusion network is not recommended for general use.  It is featured in order to support "legacy" customers who use the Fusion Mobile/VOIP phone service.  It shouldn't be used for internet access, particularly with many users. it simply isn't intended to support the kind of use you describe.

It seems likely that the drops in connection may be more closely associated with the use of your "card swipe" machines.  We don't recommend their use on broadband lines.

Wireless networking can have extremely limited range indoors because it is heavily dependent on environmental factors.  These include competing wireless network signals (we recommend experimenting with wireless channels for this), where the Hub is sited and if it is sited near any sources of electro-magnetic interference (TV's, loudspeakers, fridges etc).  Intervening walls and ceilings can also limit range, depending on what they are made of.

[Maxi]

Thanks for your feedback JohnE.

I hear what you are saying regarding the chip and pin device but I still cant understand the wi-fi issue.

ie today I arrived in the shop and opened my laptop and started it up. Now, my laptop is not set to BT Fusion, it is set to BT Business Hub and automatically connects to the wireless router each time I start my laptop.Today however, like many days, it could not connect. I then tried to check for the wireless network via my iPhone which is connected to the fusion network (just so I can check if customers are getting on it okay) and this was down also.

The router is located under my desk and the laptop was on top of the desk so there should be no interferrance at all??

I am wondering if I was to buy just a new wireless router I could plug it in the same broadband and customers could use that one??

As a small coffee shop I cant really afford a seperate broadband line just for customers so I need a solution that keeps customers on a seperate network from the back office PC (which in turn connects to the till). This is the only reason why we started using fusion as one of the customers told me he can access private data on the pc/till!!!

Maybe the seperate router would work???

[JohnE]

This is sounding more like a configuration issue with your laptop, it may not be set up correctly in your wireless network list.  I'd recommend that you Contact Us , the technical helpdesk should be able to assist you.

[JohnE]

You may have to clear the device list periodically, particularly if many devices casually connect to the Business Hub.

Go to: http://192.168.1.254 and then click Settings - LAN. scroll down the page to the Devices section where you will see the button to clear the device list.

Also, you should disable BT Openzone, to do this:

Go to: http://192.168.1.254 and then click Services - BT Openzone  You can disable it here if it is enabled.

As for your files being visible, the liklihood is, you have made them available via File sharing within Windows.