Wi-Fi connection and roaming is controlled by the client device, not by the network. Client devices make all decisions about which Wi-Fi Access Points to connect to and when to move their connection to another one. Many factors affect these decisions and depend on hardware, software (including operating system version and drivers), and environmental conditions (such as the number of other devices connected in the same area or interference from other radio sources such as Bluetooth devices and mobile hotspots).
Most modern consumer devices, such as laptops and smartphones, automatically choose the fastest and strongest Wi-Fi signal available to connect to. When a device physically moves away from the Wi-Fi Access Point providing the connection (such as when leaving one room and going to another, or when leaving a building), the devices will switch a slower speed in order to maintain their connection. Then, the devices will automatically scan for stronger and faster Wi-Fi signals and reconnect to a better signal if one is found. This scanning and reconnecting process is often very quick, but it can occasionally take a few minutes. To force your device to scan and reconnect, simply turn Wi-Fi off on your device, wait approximately 10 seconds, and then turn it back on again.
As a metaphor, think of a car approaching the off-ramp at the interchange between two highways. The car is initially travelling at a high speed on the highway, but must slow down as it reaches the ramp. After continuing to travel, it reaches the next highway and it may speed up again.
Dartmouth prioritizes Wi-Fi coverage for indoor spaces. Although outdoor coverage is available in some locations on the campus (such as on the Green), most spaces outside of buildings do not have high-speed Wi-Fi service. ITC does not expect Wi-Fi connections to function outdoors except in locations where we have specifically installed Wi-Fi equipment. When you exit a building, your device may have slow-speed Wi-Fi service (by means of signal from indoors penetrating through the exterior wall of the building) until you return indoors and into an area where high-speed service is available.
Additionally, devices that have cellular service may choose to disconnect from Wi-Fi and connect to a cellular network when entering an area that does not have high-speed Wi-Fi coverage. When this happens, interruptions to Internet connectivity (most notably phone calls, Zoom/Teams meetings, and large file downloads) are likely to be disconnected. ITC does not provide or support cellular service from public carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. For support with cellular service, please contact your provider.
The same Wi-Fi equipment provides both eduroam and Dartmouth Public service - one network will never be stronger or faster than the other regardless of what your device may indicate. All persons with an active affiliation with Dartmouth (current students, faculty, and staff as well as individuals with sponsored accounts) should connect to eduroam only. eduroam is secure and encrypted using the latest standards and provides access to resources on the campus network (such as GreenPrint, screen sharing in classrooms and conference rooms, Library media and databases, and administrative applications such as Oracle and OnBase). Dartmouth Public is provided as a free and open Wi-Fi network for guests on the Dartmouth campus as well as an alternative for devices that truly do not support eduroam. Dartmouth Public is unencrypted Wi-Fi, and as such is not able to access many on-campus resources.