Is Bad WiFi Hurting Efforts to Upgrade Your Internet Connection? – Future-proofing corporate networks for next-generation applications is today a top priority for most networking executives. However, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where this could be accomplished without better, scalable connectivity. Moreover, you can’t make the most of your upgraded internet with outdated wireless access points.
Up-to-date WiFi is becoming increasingly vital for optimizing the performance of devices that rely on high-speed infrastructure. It’s at the core of enterprise innovations that deliver better customer experiences, efficiency-centred business models, or even superior products.
When looking to upgrade your internet connection, bad WiFi can stand in the way. Here’s why:
Speed Mismatch
Many businesses upgrade their internet primarily to improve speed. If you work with partners or vendors across different locations, high-speed broadband lets you collaborate smoothly in real-time. Better connectivity facilitates prompt sharing of information and transfer of large files between remote-based teams. Unfortunately, traditional wireless equipment isn’t always built to swiftly adapt to faster internet.
Your older WiFi routers may lack the capacity for your current or future broadband requirements. This deficiency can hurt your organization’s workforce productivity. So, you need to upgrade your wireless access points to take full advantage of high-speed internet in your office. In this age of remote working, faster connectivity is more vital for business success than ever. Your employees may need it to collaborate more efficiently with tools/features like productivity apps, video conferencing, and real-time chat.
Lack of Scalability
In all fairness, older wireless platforms still do a great job supporting network expansions in offices. Organizations can still use them to create more flexible workplaces by enabling employees to access networks from their mobile devices. However, many of these frameworks’ “ad hoc” design limits their scalability and overall utility.
They’re built to support a fixed number of devices. When many people with WiFI-enabled devices access the networks at the same time, connection speeds often come down. In many of these scenarios, outdated wireless technology can inhibit a business’ ability to offer superior customer or guest experiences.
Next-generation WiFi enables organizations to move from ad-hoc to scalable deployment. Notably, WiFi 6 or 802.11ax supports dynamic connectivity on-demand without appreciable speed interruptions. Access points that have this technology can quickly adjust support from a few devices to hundreds or even thousands without shrinking the shared bandwidth.
Perhaps, most small businesses don’t have an urgent need for the top bandwidth speeds that come with the 802.11ax wireless standard. But the ability to connect at scale remains important. It merits serious consideration if you have a lot of customer or employee devices connecting to your fast corporate internet every day.
Mobility Issues
Do your enterprise-grade WiFi routers support optimal roaming experiences? If not, you’re probably not getting the most out of your corporate internet. Consider a more mobile-centred wireless setup to correct this. As you plan the upgrade, take into account the fact that user devices will be moving in and out of range. This is where user experiences can suffer as wireless access points handoff mobile devices from one overage area to another. Your goal should be to streamline the handoffs, ensuring seamless connectivity.
Try using WiFi access points with the smart antenna. This technology can help streamline wireless connectivity and stabilize internet speeds, including in crowded environments with mobile users. It eliminates interference that can compromise wireless performance when multiple access points share the same channel.
Cyber Threats
Customer-facing WiFi is a worthwhile investment for competitive businesses, but it introduces numerous cybersecurity challenges. It lets more people access your network through potentially unsecured personal devices. Bad actors could try to breach your system via your wireless routers. While older technology is highly vulnerable to cyber attacks, modern access points provide stronger reinforcements against various threats. They offer advanced encryption, such as WPA2 or even WPA3. To protect your corporate network, you’ll need wireless platforms that meet the latest IT security standards.
The Need for Separate Wireless Guest Access
This is a vital wireless security feature. If your current access points don’t support this function, it could delay your plans to safely upgrade your internet connectivity. You wish to make your customers or guests happy when they visit your premises, but you’re not sure that their smartphones or tablets are secure. With some modern routers, you can set up guest WiFi. This would create a separate access point on your router.
Employees can access your office network through one point, and customers or guests can browse the free internet through another. This way, outsiders won’t be able to connect to your office computers or servers through their WiFi-enabled devices. For example, if a customer accesses the WiFi via a malware-infested smartphone, your company network remains protected against infection. It’s a great way to remain hospitable while protecting your sensitive customer and enterprise data.
Why Wi-Fi and Broadband Upgrades Should Go Hand in Hand?
If you’re considering upgrading your office internet today, it’s because you acknowledge the critical role that reliable connectivity plays in driving business growth and competitiveness. The next important step is to ensure you have the right infrastructure to make the most of your faster and more reliable connectivity. Up-to-date WiFi is a very crucial component of the transformation you have in mind. Upgrading your wireless technology will enable you to optimally harness the internet to improve workforce productivity and customer experiences.