3G Offloading

Available for: Android 2.2 and later clients

In general, a 3G data connection can be much more costly than a local Wi-Fi connection. To help control high connectivity costs, you can configure the client to force existing 3G connections to auto-connect to a set of specified Wi-Fi networks, if Wi-Fi is in range and available.

In order to enable forced auto-connect to less expensive Wi-Fi networks, the following conditions must be met:

  • Forced Auto-connect must be enabled for a custom directory in the user’s client profile, and the SSID must be in the custom directory.
  • Open Mobile must be activated and the enabled Android 2.2.0.103 profile loaded on the user’s device.
  • The user’s credentials have been entered and saved in the app.
  • The Android device must be 3G-enabled and have 3G signal of at least -72 dbM.
  • The offload SSID must be detectable for 15 seconds (when the device is in screen off/dark mode).

Enabling Forced Auto-Connect for a Profile

Before users can use 3G offloading, you must enable this capability in their client profiles on the Open Mobile Portal.

To enable one or more Wi-Fi directories for Forced Auto-Connect:

  1. Select (or create) an Android profile for which you wish to enable Forced Auto-Connect. (Complete instructions for profile creation are found in the Open Mobile Portal Administrator’s Guide, available from the Open Mobile Portal.)
  2. Under Networks and Policies, click Configure.
  3. Under Actions, click Configure.
  4. Under Assign or Remove Wi-Fi Hotspot Lists, using the arrow keys, assign one or more custom directories to the profile.
  5. In the Assigned Lists column, click Set Authentication Format.
  6. Select a custom directory for which you wish to enable Forced Auto-Connect.
  7. Under Forced Auto-Connect, from the drop-down list, select Yes.
  8. Repeat Steps 6-7 for each additional custom directory.
  9. When complete, click Save.
  10. Continue to edit the profile as needed, then save it and publish to your users.

The User Experience

The experience for a user with a 3G offload enabled depends on whether the Android device has its screen turned on, or is dark (but is still powered on).

In order to enable Auto-Connect, the user must enter and save valid login credentials in the app.

Screen On

With the screen on, and the device connected to a 3G network, a user may travel into range of a valid offload SSID. As soon as the network detected, and the network signal strength is within specifications, the user’s 3G connection will be ended, and replaced with a Wi-Fi connection.

Offload SSIDs will also be used for regular Auto-Connect connections, if the screen is on and the user is not already connected to a 3G network.

Screen Off

With the screen off (dark), and the device connected to a 3G network, a user may travel into range of a valid offload SSID. If the network is detected for at least 15 seconds, and the network signal strength is within specifications, the user’s 3G connection will be ended, and replaced with a Wi-Fi connection.

Go to: Open Mobile for Android

 

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