BT have suggested I split my SSID - Huh?

[Katymac]

this is the page I have been sent to

Does it make any sense at all to do this?

Will it help the Broadband from dropping out 6-8 times an hour?

[Naoko]

It might. Basically they're suggesting that the software on the device you are using to connect might be struggling with the hub broadcasting on both the 2.4 and 5ghz frequencies. If you 'split' it, IE create one that broadcasts on 2.4ghz exclusively and one exclusively for 5ghz, I assume the thought is it'll pick one and stick with it. It can't hurt following those instructions, you can always put it back if it doesn't help.

Have you established whether if it's the broadband connection (ie your connection to the outside world and BT's network) that's dropping or the wireless (ie the signal within your home that your devices are using to connect to your Hub)? If it's the hub, this will not help at all, if it's the wireless, it might. Try connecting a PC or laptop to the hub by cable instead of wirelessly. If it still drops for that device while it's cabled in, the problem is not the wireless.

[Katymac]

It drops out fairly consistently starting between 5-6 in the evening......& lasting until the early hours of the morning - so I assumed it was 'shared' between all of us

It's my 4th box in 4 years so I hope it isn't the hub that has broken again

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

It's BTs way of saying, yes our broadband is shit but it's not our fault, it's your equipment so we aren't going to fix it.

It won't help. I have had the same problems for the last 10 months, 2 different hubs, changed all the settings etc. It's still shit.

The last time I spoke to them they said my it must be my equipment.

Never mind I've connected wirelessly to 7 devices individually and they have all been the same

[Naoko]

That timeframe for dropping would suggest to me that it's struggling to cope with demand, as that's when most people at home and online. That leans it toward 'problem with BT's network' for me, but you'll probably have to jump through the hoops before they'll accept that, so try it anyway.

I would also, if your devices are capable of it, connect them preferentially to the 5Ghz band, as it's generally less prone to interference and more stable. That won't help if it's all just overloaded but if the problem is that, for example, all your neighbours are switching on their routers when they get home from work and the additional wireless networks interfere, 5Ghz should be more stable. (You shouldn't ever turn your router off, btw, if you can help it. Your provider sees that as a drop of service on their end and assumes the connection is unstable, then reduces the speed in an attempt to stabilise it - which is unnecessary if it's not unstable, just switched off). Also, thinking outside the box, is there anything near your hub that you only use in those times? Cordless phone, microwave, baby monitor? All those can interfere, move the hub away from them.

[GraciesMansion]

We had this issue with BT. Switched to talktalk and it's never dropped out at all in the last three/four years.

[Katymac]

[Hmm] tbh we live in the back end of beyond so BT failing seems likely

They offered me superfast BB the other day on the phone then backed down when they took my address