Zero Point Networks

Why we don’t recommend mesh Wi-Fi networks or Wi-Fi repeaters for your business

In the fast-paced world of business, where every second counts, a reliable and lightning-fast Internet connection isn’t just a convenience – it’s the lifeblood of your operations. Imagine the frustration of your team as they wait for web pages to load, or the anxiety of your customers as video calls stutter and buffer. In this digital age, these delays aren’t just inconvenient; they can cost you customers and revenue.

Now, picture a solution that promises to extend your Wi-Fi coverage, seemingly resolving your connectivity woes with ease. Sounds tempting, right? But before you rush to embrace the idea of mesh Wi-Fi networks or Wi-Fi repeaters, let us unveil the hidden challenges that could leave your business stranded in a sea of frustration and inefficiency.

The Bandwidth Challenge

Mesh Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi repeaters (range extenders) share a common limitation – they both come at a cost of reduced available bandwidth. Whether it’s the multi-hop nature of mesh networks or the signal-splitting approach of Wi-Fi repeaters, each introduces latency and consumes a portion of the available bandwidth. For businesses, especially those with high data demands, these limitations can lead to performance issues that hinder productivity.

Remote Management Headaches

Another drawback common to both mesh networks and Wi-Fi repeaters is the complexity of remote management. Managing multiple access points, whether in a mesh network or a set of Wi-Fi repeaters, scattered across your business premises can be challenging. This can lead to potential downtime and frustration when troubleshooting issues and optimizing performance, which is something no business owner wants to deal with.

An access point that is off-line can create an area of reduced coverage, but one that’s disconnected from the network but still broadcasting creates a situation that can be very difficult to diagnose.

Our Preferred Solutions

We can deploy the most advanced and powerful access points available, but without a reliable Internet backhaul, even the best hardware can’t deliver the seamless connectivity and performance your business needs. Here’s how we prefer to extend Wireless networks to cover a larger area.

• Ethernet Cabling: Whenever possible, we run Ethernet cables to strategically place wireless access points. This ensures a stable and high-speed connection, eliminating the problems associated with mesh networks and Wi-Fi repeaters.

• Point-to-Point Wi-Fi: In cases where Ethernet cabling isn’t feasible, we recommend a point-to-point Wi-Fi solution. This technology offers a dedicated, interference-free link that ensures the highest data rates possible. It’s a cost-effective choice for clients with multiple buildings close together or those covering large outdoor areas like caravan parks or marinas. These devices often use a different frequency to the access points, reducing interference and achieving very high speeds.

• VDSL: For clients with existing phone cables running between locations, we offer VDSL (Very High Bit Rate Digital Subscriber Line) as an alternative to Ethernet. It repurposes your phone lines to connect your network, providing an economical and effective way to extend your network’s reach. While the bandwidth of the phone lines is limited, in many cases this is enough, and works out significantly cheaper than running cables.

The Bottom Line

In the world of networking, one size doesn’t fit all. While mesh Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi repeaters may be suitable for some residential applications, they often fall short when it comes to business needs. At Zero Point Networks, we are committed to providing businesses with the best internet and networking solutions, ensuring you have the speed and reliability necessary to succeed.

Don’t compromise on your business’s connectivity. Contact us today to discuss your specific networking requirements and let us tailor a solution that meets your needs without the drawbacks of mesh Wi-Fi networks and Wi-Fi repeaters.