Johannesburg, 24 Aug 2018
The continued proliferation of the Internet of things (IOT) or the connected world have seen South African households mobilising towards environments that allow for the connection of multiple devices from various points across the home.
Critical to these home technology environments is the WiFi network; most devices today require wireless connectivity to access the Internet. Smartphones and tablets have always relied on WiFi, but now devices like Smart TVs and media streaming boxes require connectivity to deliver online content and video-on-demand services, such as Netflix and Showmax, to televisions.
Moreover, laptops which once came standard with a built-in RJ45 connection for wired network connectivity, have abandoned it in favour of WiFi, says Grant Robertson, product manager at Nology.
The barriers
Clearly, WiFi has emerged as a vital component of the technology engine and needs to run optimally to deliver the myriad abovementioned connections.
Unfortunately, this is not the case in numerous households that are currently experiencing dead spots or weaker WiFi connectivity in certain parts of their homes; a frustrating experience to say the least.
One of the main reasons is that WiFi networks must contend with interference such as many devices sharing the already heavily congested 2.4GHz frequency, or physical barriers like brick walls and concrete roofs. The reality is that a router with a single WiFi access point isn't up to the task anymore.
The good news is that there is an answer: a WiFi mesh network could offer a solution to home users' connectivity woes. In recent months, more and more homes have implemented WiFi mesh systems to strengthen and extend connectivity across their physical environments.
To mesh
Home users will undoubtedly be familiar with WiFi extenders as an option to solve dead spots; however, with the increasing availability of WiFi mesh systems, many users are considering it as a more appealing option.
For one, a WiFi mesh system is relatively easy to set up and use; it usually features three or more router-like devices that work together intelligently to increase WiFi coverage and performance, throughout the home.
It is essentially a system of multiple WiFi access points (also called WiFi nodes) placed around the home, but without the set-up headache; it doesn't require multiple networks or other fussy input controls. Usually all it takes is plugging in the units and following some simple steps in the accompanying mobile app to create a WiFi blanket that covers your entire home.
Once it's all set up, managing the network is again quite easy; most of the advanced and complicated features are managed in the background and the essential features are accessible and simple to use through the app as opposed to the router's complicated admin page on your computer.
Ultimately, it makes it a lot easier to change settings and see a glimpse of your entire home network.
Collective effort
AirTies' Managed Wi-Fi Mesh solution, for instance, utilises lightweight software intelligence embedded with each node to support consistent coverage across the home at optimal data rates for each connection. Also, users can, with a push of a button, easily integrate more extenders into the home wireless network when needed.
These WiFi nodes also collectively monitor shifting demand for broadband and TV streams from whatever devices are in use at any time and assign the best path for each transmission to ensure optimal utilisation of the WiFi network.
Think of it as a relay race where runners hand off the baton to the next runner to advance down the track; WiFi mesh systems work the same way.
A WiFi mesh network does not replace your current router, but works alongside it, handling only the WiFi component. While WiFi extenders boost your existing router's signal, a mesh system will create a whole new WiFi system separate from the router's current network, ultimately creating an optimised environment for your connected home.
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