Changing the wireless network name is one of the first tasks a new ISP owner faces. Standard names assigned by the manufacturer often contain complex combinations of letters and numbers that are difficult to remember or quickly find in the list of available connections on a smartphone. Personalization SSID (Network ID) not only makes it easier to find your signal among dozens of neighboring access points, but also increases the overall level of security by hiding the model of the device being used from prying eyes.
Changing broadcast settings doesn't require extensive networking knowledge and only takes a few minutes. You don't need to be a system administrator to perform this procedure, as the interface of modern routers Rostelecom (be it Sagemcom, Sercomm or Eltex) is designed with the average user in mind. The main thing is to have a device with internet access and know the basic login information for the control panel.
In this article, we'll detail the steps for various models of equipment used by your ISP. We'll cover the nuances of setting up dual-band routers, where issues often arise with the separate naming of the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, and discuss the rules for creating secure passwords. Properly configuring your network name is the foundation for a stable home internet connection, eliminating confusion when connecting new devices.
Preparing to change router settings
Before making any changes to your hardware configuration, ensure a stable connection between your computer or smartphone and the router. It's best to configure the connection via cable. LANBy connecting your laptop directly to one of the device's yellow ports. This eliminates the risk of losing the connection while saving new settings, which is especially important if you're changing not only the name but also the broadcast channels.
If using a cable isn't possible, make sure your mobile device or laptop is connected to the router's current Wi-Fi network. Please note that when the new settings are applied, the connection will be lost, and you'll have to re-search for the network with the updated name in the list of available networks. Prepare a piece of paper or open a text editor in advance to write down the new information if you plan to change the access password.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of your personal account and the router web interface may differ slightly depending on the firmware version of your device. Providers regularly update their software, so the location of some menu items may vary.
If you don't find an exact match, look for sections with similar names, such as "WLAN," "Wireless," or "Wireless Network."
It's also worth finding out the address to access the settings in advance. In most cases, for equipment Rostelecom the standard IP address is used 192.168.1.1 or domain name 192.168.0.1This information is often found on a sticker located on the bottom of the router, next to the factory password and MAC address.
☑️ Preparing for setup
Login to the device's web interface
Once you have prepared your equipment, open any modern web browser: Google Chrome, Yandex Browser, Mozilla Firefox or SafariIn the address bar, where you usually type the website address, enter your router's IP address. Most often, this is 192.168.1.1. Press the key EnterIf the address is entered correctly, the browser will request authorization.
The security system will require you to enter your login and password. By default, for most router models issued Rostelecom, standard credentials are used. The login most often looks like this admin, and the password too adminHowever, on newer models or devices configured by a wizard during installation, the password may be unique—it is also indicated on the factory sticker under the name "Password."
If the default login/password pair doesn't work, it's possible the data was previously changed. In this case, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings. To do this, look for the small hole marked "Reset" on the powered-on device. Reset and press it with a thin object (paper clip) for 10-15 seconds until the indicators blink simultaneously.
Standard login details:Login: admin
Password: admin
(or data from the sticker on the bottom of the router)
After successful authorization, you'll be taken to the main page of the control panel. This displays general information about the network status, connected users, and software version. We're interested in the section responsible for wireless connections.
Find the Wireless Network (WLAN) section
Router interfaces may look different, but their design logic is the same. You need to find the tab responsible for Wi-Fi settings. Depending on the device model (Sagemcom, Sercomm, ZTE), this section may be called WLAN, Wireless, Wi-Fi or "Wireless Network." It's usually located in the top horizontal menu or in the side navigation bar.
This section often contains several subsections. To change the name, we'll need a tab. Basic (Basic settings) or SSID SettingsThis is where you set the network name that your devices will see. Don't confuse this section with the security settings (Security), where the password is changed, although they are often located nearby.
If you have a dual-band router that supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, you may see separate tabs for each band. This allows you to assign unique names to each frequency, such as MyHome_2.4 And MyHome_5GThis is useful for manual connection management: older devices are left on 2.4 GHz, while modern smartphones and TVs are switched to the faster 5 GHz.
Why doesn't my router allow me to access the settings?
If your browser displays "Unable to access the site" or "Connection is not secure," check that you've entered your IP address correctly. Also, try opening the page in incognito mode or using a different browser. Sometimes ad-blocking extensions can cause blocking.
Changing the network name (SSID)
Having found the field SSID Name or "Network Name," you'll see the current name. Delete the existing text and enter your desired name. When choosing a name, it's important to follow certain guidelines to avoid connection issues on different devices. The name can contain Latin letters, numbers, and some special characters.
It's important to use only Latin characters. Cyrillic characters (Russian letters) may not display correctly on iOS or Android smartphones, turning into a jumble of incomprehensible symbols, making connection impossible. Also, avoid spaces at the beginning and end of names, although they are allowed within words.
After entering the new name, be sure to click the button Apply (Apply) or Save (Save) at the bottom of the page. The router will warn you that the wireless connection will be interrupted. Confirm the action. The device will reboot the wireless module, and after 10-20 seconds, your new name will appear in the list of available networks.
Setting up security and password
Changing the network name is the perfect time to check your security settings. You can do this in the same section where you changed the SSID, or in a separate tab. Security, make sure the encryption method is selected WPA2-PSK or WPA3These protocols provide reliable protection of data from interception. Outdated encryption methods such as WEP, it is strictly not recommended to use them, as they can be hacked in a few minutes.
A passphrase (pre-shared key) should be complex. The optimal length is between 8 and 63 characters. A good password contains uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid simple combinations like "12345678" or your date of birth.
The table below shows the recommended security settings for your home network:
| Parameter | Recommended value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Security mode | WPA2-PSK / WPA3 | Modern encryption standard |
| Version | Auto or WPA2-Only | Ensures compatibility |
| Encryption | AES | The most reliable algorithm |
| Key length | 12+ characters | Protection against password guessing |
Peculiarities of setting up dual-band routers
Modern tariffs Rostelecom often involve the use of equipment that supports the standard 802.11ac or ax (Wi-Fi 6). These routers operate in two frequency bands simultaneously. When changing the name, you may encounter the function Smart Connect or "Network Integration".
When this feature is enabled, the router creates a single network with a single name for both frequencies, automatically switching clients between 2.4 and 5 GHz depending on signal strength. In this case, you change the shared name. If you want to manually manage the connection, disable the network aggregation feature.
After disconnection Smart Connect Two separate fields for entering names will appear. It is recommended to give them similar but distinguishable names. For example, call the main network Home_WiFi, and the second Home_WiFi_5GThis will allow you to force speed-intensive devices (4K TVs, gaming consoles) to connect to the more available 5 GHz band.
⚠️ Attention: When disabling network aggregation, devices that were previously connected to the same network may lose connection. You'll need to reconnect them, selecting the appropriate frequency band.
Possible problems and their solutions
Sometimes, after changing settings, users encounter problems with their devices not seeing the new network or being unable to connect to it. The primary cause may be the DNS cache or saved profiles on the devices. The smartphone or laptop may be attempting to connect to the old name with the new settings, causing a conflict. The solution is simple: forget the network on the device and reconnect.
Another common issue is the router freezing after applying settings. If the network still doesn't appear after 2-3 minutes, try physically rebooting the router: unplug it from the power outlet for 10 seconds, and then plug it back in. This fixes 90% of software issues.
- 📱 The device does not see the network: Check that the SSID isn't hidden. The "Enable SSID Broadcast" box should be checked in the settings.
- 🔒 Connection error: Make sure your password is case-sensitive. The letters I (ai) and L (el), 0 (zero) and O (o) are often confused.
- 📶 Weak signal: If the signal has deteriorated after changing the name, you may have accidentally changed not only the name but also the channel or channel width. Reset the channel settings to "Auto."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to use Russian letters in the Wi-Fi name?
Technically, some routers allow you to enter Cyrillic characters, but this is not recommended. Many devices (especially smart devices, cameras, and older smartphones) do not support Cyrillic encoding in their SSIDs and will display the name as a string of characters or fail to connect at all.
Does the length of a network name affect internet speed?
No, the length of the network name (SSID) does not affect data transfer speed or connection stability. However, extremely long names (more than 32 characters) may be truncated on some devices, creating confusion. The optimal length is 15-20 characters.
What should I do if I forgot my router settings password?
If you haven't changed your web interface login password, try the default one. adminIf it doesn't fit and you don't remember it, the only way out is to reset the settings using the button. Reset on the case. After this, the router will return to factory settings, and you will have to re-enter the internet access details provided by your provider.
Do I need to change the network name when I buy a new router?
This isn't required, but it's recommended. If you leave the old network name and password the same, all your devices will automatically connect to the new router without having to reconfigure each device individually. This will save you a lot of time.