Setting up OBi202/wireless adapter to work in a new WiFi Network w/o a computer.
Robin:
FYI: I did set the Preferred Access Point, exact SSID, and exact Password for a local restaurant which uses standard Comcast Cable high speed internet access but was unable to make calls. In essence, I duplicated the restaurant's WiFi environment at home, used my home computer to make the above-referenced settings, and it worked perfectly in that simulated setting at home. But as soon as I transported the OBi202 to the restaurant with the same SSID/Password it completely failed to work. I did not try any "hard coding" or make any other changes. Can anyone explain to me what I am missing here? I don't understand why it doesn't work?
I can't speak for hotels in general, but AT&T has a special division that provides technical support for people using their WiFi Networks at Starbuck's and McDonald's throughout the United States. They did indicate that, although the SSID/Password was standardized everywhere, I would be still be unable to use the OBi in those environments because of a security "welcome screen" that requires input from a computer. However, they also indicated that they would be happy to waive that security screen for me from their end if I called them upon arriving at the venue in question. They told me that following this procedure would enable me to use the VOIP capabilities of the OBi202. According to them, they do not have any other "blocks" that would affect my ability to use VOIP over their public WiFi Networks.
I believe that being able to use the OBi [which serves as my landline] at any Starbuck's, McDonald's, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and the multitude of hotels offering free WiFi would greatly enhance the value of the OBi202. I tried getting an answer to my question from the OBi technicians, but never received a direct response to my question. I am pretty sure that a portable WiFi Hotspot would work. But, of course, the point is not to have to incur major monthly charges for WiFi access when there are so many open WiFi access points available to the public.
There are many highly knowledgeable and experienced OBi owners on this Forum and I am still hopeful that someone out there will be able to provide an answer to my question. Perhaps, even one of the senior OBi technicians will find the time to address this issue.
Ostracus:
Quote from: Robin on June 26, 2012, 12:08:37 am
I believe that being able to use the OBi [which serves as my landline] at any Starbuck's, McDonald's, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and the multitude of hotels offering free WiFi would greatly enhance the value of the OBi202.
It might, but from the POV of the hotspot provider it may not be such a great idea. Generally when mobile I just use a WiFi-enable cell phone with appropriate software (mine has this built-in) to make free calls. I only have to authenticate and click 'I agree" once.
Lavarock7:
Any way we can use a smartphone to make a Wifi connection to the Obi202? If that connection could be working in advance (limited by a password or MAC address of the phone) then we could use the cellphone to continue the setup with the hotel SSID for the outbound internet connection.
Rick:
Seems to me you're spending a lot of time trying to make free local calls when traveling, but want to bring your OBi for some reason, which shouldn't be necessary. Here's some other options:
1) You can call through your OBi via the OBI Softphone app. I don't use that, but that's what it's for.
2) Depending on your cellphone plan, you may have some type of "friends / circle" of numbers that are "free" to call or receive calls from. If you do, designate your GV number as one of the numbers. Then, using Google's GV app (or other apps), you can make all your calls via GV and not use minutes.
3) There are apps that allow you on some phones to make calls using a wifi network, such as GrooVe IP for Android phones, which uses your GV number.
Do you really make that many calls that you're worried about using too many cell minutes?
Felix:
Quote from: Rick on June 27, 2012, 06:05:13 am
Do you really make that many calls that you're worried about using too many cell minutes?
I was wondering the same for "out-of-state" trips; however, if you travel internationally, ability to call US was a very big deal. Granted, I had a laptop, and it has a Lync client; so, using hotel WifFi was straightforward, and I essentially called the way as if I was in in the office. However, I also tried Google Voice client from my iPhone, and had no problems, either. AT&T was kind enough to alert when I was about to use data roaming (which I didn't); but as long as I was on WiFi, it didn't cost me anything extra.
So, getting OBi + adapter may be over-complicating things ;)
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