Here are some feedback questions for those @orionwifi Beta participants who get a chance to visit one of the locations. Your own thoughts beyond the answers to this questions are welcome, as well!
Got some answers from MN:
Thanks @jskeate! This is great!
If you look back now at your list of saved WiFi networks, do you see one labeled “Republic Wireless”? This is what we expect to see saved:
And (for others who have asked about how they’d know they’re on an Orion WiFi network), while connected, this is the type of information we’d expect to see:
Seems like a small 
is in order for being the first to connect and report back! Please let me know your choice of a $10 gift card from one of the vendors listed below, a case for your phone from the options listed, or a Republic Wireless T-shirt. 
(Note: “all of the above” is not an option 
).
$10 gift card options:
Phone case options:
| Brand | Model | Color | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAG | Scout | Black | |
| Speck | Presidio Lite | Black | |
| Incipio | NGP Pure | Black | 5-foot drop protection |
| Gear4 | Wembley | Gray | 10 foot drop protection |
I traveled today to a local gym that was listed as having Orion to see if my phone would connect to Orion. I wasn’t a member so I couldn’t go in (no key fob) but walked around the outside of the building to see if Orion would connect. I got a message that I could connect to local broadband company but no auto connect to Orion.
Is that perhaps because the local broadband WiFi was stronger than the Orion WiFi hotspot? Does the Orion software on the phone periodically scan for an Orion network to connect to regardless of which WiFi hotspot is stronger?
Most excellent! I would love to grab an amazon GC.
Here’s what I see under the saved networks (currently out of range):
This is a great question!
If you’re in the presence of both a network you’ve manually added before (like one of the local broadband networks) and an Orion WiFi network, that manually added network will connect rather than the Orion WiFi network.
I did visit a site (I think! definitely one of the correct dots on the map).
Did your phone automatically connect?
I’m not sure. I looked for an indication that it was on wifi at various points around the building, but never saw one. (I might just be totally clueless here, but I do get on free wifi constantly elsewhere in the city, so I think it just wasn’t connected, despite my being in a location…)
What kinds of WiFi use did you try while connected? Browsing, apps, streaming, calling, texting?
(I’m usually browsing and gchatting.)
Were text messages sent and delivered in a timely fashion?
How was call quality over WiFi?
Was call quality maintained as you moved about the location?
Today I will be passing through my first location with Orion. In the past I’ve needed to manually log into the wi-fi system at this location so it’ll be interesting to see if Orion is capable of getting my logged in without any activity on my part.
What happens in this case if the manually added network requires a web page login? Will orion take over and login to its network or wait until the manually entered network is disconnected or forgotten?
I went to a local shopping center that has Orion and my phone recognized/saw 2 networks (one called Republic Wireless and the other called Orion) and automatically tried to connect to them over and over, but never successfully did. My phone seemingly stayed on cell data the whole time.
Which phone, what level of OS is it on, and is the Republic App at 3.28.7.0?
Actually, yes. My Moto G7 logged into a national mobile service almost immediately upon entering the facility. The connection was lost after a short period of time, but reestablished itself right away. It’s the only location I’ve been in so far, but Orion did exactly what I was told to expect.
H
I visited the [redacted] today. For the approximately 25 minutes I was there my phone showed Connecting to the Republic Wireless network for WiFi. I did walk around. I switch to Airplane mode with WiFi for 10 minutes. But I never connected to Republic Wireless for WiFi. I was able to connect to other free WiFi available at this site.
It was not a complete loss. I bought a Cinnabon while I was there.
Michael
Thanks @Paradox5280 for your report, and I’m glad you were able to enjoy a Cinnabon! If I’m understanding correctly the phone indicating it was “Connecting” but never completed that connection to provide usable WiFi?
I’ll also be in touch by private message to collect some more info for the Orion WiFi team.
Correct. It would say “Connecting”. Then it would say “Saved”. Then it would try to connect again.
I went to the [readacted] Mall yesterday. I am now convinced I am having an issue with my phone. I experienced the exact same issue that I had the [redacted]. The phone would have a Connecting status for the Republic Wireless WiFi. Then the status would go to Saved. I was able to connect to the public WiFi offered by the mall. I powered down and back up. The phone just keep cycling through Connecting to Saved status.
Away from the mall I continue to have issues with my phone connecting to Saved WiFi connections. Even at Starbucks I can cycle through Saved to Connecting, tap to authorize/connect, Connected No IP, then back to Saved.
If you’re able to connect to and use the public WiFi at the mall, but not the Orion WiFi, then I don’t think there’s an issue with your phone, but something the Orion team and our developers need to look at, especially since you’ve now had the same experience in two places. This is useful feedback, and I’ve sent you a private message so we can collect a few more details for the developers and engineers involved.
