Wi-Fi roaming (802.11k/v/r): how a phone switches between access points
Wi-Fi roaming is a device moving from one access point (or mesh node) to another within the same network. The 802.11k, 802.11v and 802.11r standards make this handover faster and keep calls and video from dropping.
In plain words
Imagine walking down a long corridor with a guard holding a radio in every room. Without roaming you stubbornly stick with the first guard even when you can barely hear them. With 802.11k/v/r the guards tell you, "They can hear you better in the next room - move over," and hand you on without checking your papers again.
How it works
- 802.11k: the access point gives the device a list of neighbouring points and their signal quality.
- 802.11v: the network can advise the device to move to a better point.
- 802.11r: fast re-authentication - no need to "check the password" again.
- The device switches in tens of milliseconds instead of seconds.
- A video call or game does not drop as you move between rooms.
Where you'll see it
These features are supported by most mesh systems and mid-range routers with mesh, as well as modern phones and laptops. In settings they are sometimes called "fast roaming", "Fast Roaming" or "802.11k/v/r".
Does it matter when buying
If you have mesh or several access points and walk around the house on calls, yes. With a single router you do not need them. Some older devices work poorly with 802.11r; in that case it is worth turning it off.
Myths
- Myth: A phone always connects to the nearest point by itself. Reality: Without hints it may cling to a weak signal until the last moment.
- Myth: Wi-Fi roaming is about mobile roaming abroad. Reality: No, it is about moving between points of the same Wi-Fi network.
FAQ
Should I turn on 802.11r?
It is often on in mesh systems; if older devices have problems, turn it off.
Why does my video call drop when I go into another room?
Probably the device lingers on a weak point, or there is no fast roaming.
Does roaming work between routers of different brands?
It works best within one system or EasyMesh.