Why do some WiFis not work? (DSL, email, reboot, working)

[NJDevil]

There are 2 restaurants I go to with wifi and my phone will connect to it but I cannot use it....it doesn't "connect", can't check email, can't go on web, etc. One of these places is Panera and the signal/connection is good, but I have to turn the wifi off in order to use the internet. Why is this? Is the problem my phone - how can that be when it works on everyone else's wifi? (Motorola Electrify M)

[rhawkins74]

Since Panera is the place you did mention by name, I can speak on it. It is on their end and not yours. While yes they offer wifi services, to be honest they are not set up to properly offer these services. They have one internet connection that is used for everything in the facility. The free wifi and the stores internet are one in the same, therefore there is a competition for use of bandwidth. Then you factor in, Panera uses DSL internet services, which of course is on the lower end of broadband speeds.

Another issue that is ran into is the equipment that is being used on their end. The networking equipment is not business class and the set up is no different than what many people use in their own houses. They use a basic wifi router that allows a guest network.

So when you connect to their wifi you are dealing with the fact, the stores company equipment has first priority on the bandwidth and than the guests share the limited bandwidth that is remaining.

[NJDevil]

Thanks. People obviously have no problem using their computers on Panera's wifi, I understand your answer but why does it work for computers and not for cell phones?

[Peregrine]

I respectfully disagree with RHawkins.
It is certainly possible that the problem COULD be on Panera's end, but if it was an issue of an over crowded or poorly configured router it would not happen EVERY SINGLE TIME you were there. If that was the problem, you should have sporadic connectivity... not ZERO connectivity.

Next ti9me at Peanera, try this:
Go to SETTINGS > WiFi.
Click the PANERA network. Click FORGET.
Reboot phone.
Try connecting again.

[NJDevil]

OK thanks. I don't recall what happens at other Paneras. I do recall my computer connecting / using it without a problem.