Digitalisation has been the key enabler of the post-pandemic rebound for many organisations, and of the changes that have driven the recovery, perhaps the most transformative has been the exponential adoption of connected devices. Asia Pacific looks poised to be the leading geography for this trend, with industry reports forecasting the regional Internet of Things (IoT) market to grow exponentially to US$437 billion by 2026. However, the current Wi-Fi connectivity standards might not provide sufficient bandwidth to support the increasing volume of simultaneously connected devices without compromising network speeds.
The latest generation of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6, has been eagerly anticipated due to its potential for much faster network performance, lower power usage and enhanced security features compared to its predecessors. As vaccine rollouts start to accelerate throughout the region, it is only a matter of time for large-scale venues such as airports and stadiums to fill up again with crowds, made possible by whole new ecosystems that simultaneously connect tens of thousands of Wi-Fi 6-powered applications and devices. To ensure seamless connected experiences for the growing volume of Wi-Fi 6 users, and to avoid bandwidth bottlenecks or throttling issues, robust Wi-Fi infrastructure support will certainly be essential.
Wi-Fi’s potential starts with infrastructure
Many organisations have deployed a wider combination of data-intensive applications such as real-time streaming media, high-speed conferencing, and data downloads on their enterprise networks, so upgrading indoor enterprise connectivity to modern Wi-Fi 6 standards has become a strategic consideration. Network connectivity has always been built on a foundation of infrastructure investment and it will be no different when looking to maximise an organisation’s Wi-Fi 6 capabilities. Some of the key considerations when looking to future-proof the investment in networking infrastructure should include the following assessments:
- Converged Network: Look for network access points (APs) that drive down IoT complexity and costs. Enterprises are launching a wide range of new IoT-related applications such as digital classrooms, building energy monitoring, and digital healthcare. Too often though, the technology required to support these applications creates multiple, siloed, overlay networks for different IoT standards and devices. These networks could be managed more efficiently over a converged platform that supports all devices.
- Improved network capacity: Network capacity is re-emerging as the most critical concern, as users increasingly look to connect exclusively via Wi-Fi. Solutions that can support large venues are most equipped to offer the superior performance people will need now and in the future.
- Management versatility: Consider enterprise Wi-Fi systems that allow a larger range of connected solutions to migrate from on-premises to cloud management as network requirements change.
- Smarter networking: Even with future-proofed infrastructure in place, there must be buffers in place to accommodate sudden changes in business trends or user demand. Invest in solutions equipped with management tools that allow for the network to be adaptive, self-healing, and self-forming.
Not all network hardware will be the same
When it comes to ensuring the fastest, most seamless connected experiences with Wi-Fi 6, not all hardware and infrastructure solutions are the same. A recent Wi-Fi 6 stress test conducted by Packet6, a Certified Wireless Network consulting firm, indicates that there might be performance differences in the network while connected on various Wi-Fi APs, even if the solutions feature the same specifications.
The test involved over sixty IoT devices benchmarking five APs’ overall performance in a mixed traffic scenario that simulated today’s environments where the enterprise network is heavily relied upon for video conferencing and large file-sharing. The test included applications such as large and small file transfers, high-definition (HD) video streaming and high-speed conferencing.
The test’s results were quite conclusive, showing that only one of out the five APs tested was able to provide uninterrupted video streaming across thirty laptops and maintain high-quality voice audio while still under heavy network load. The results can also indicate that for environments with larger and more complex network demands, multiple APs and other connectivity hardware should first be stress-tested to find out the optimal infrastructure deployment, before committing to Wi-Fi 6 investments.
As connectivity becomes more crucial in the post-pandemic world, deployment of Wi-Fi 6 will continue to ramp up. It is therefore critical for companies to invest in the right network infrastructure solutions to future-proof themselves in digital transformation.
