What is WiFi Optimization?
A Comprehensive Guide | Mastering Carrier Grade WiFi Networks
Enhance Your WiFi Performance and Connectivity
Carrier-grade WiFi Networks
Growing Challenges of Carrier-Grade WiFi in the Era of IoT and 5G
Demand for carrier-grade WiFi offerings is rapidly increasing due to the growing adoption of IoT and 5G applications, alongside the rise of smart devices. Today, WiFi performance is the primary factor in how residential customers perceive the Quality of Experience (QoE) provided by their Communication Service Provider (CSP). In fact, WiFi is often the biggest bottleneck in subscriber performance—whether the uplink connection is wired fiber, cable, copper, or LTE.
Currently, around 30% of calls to a CSP’s help desk are related to poor in-home connectivity. While CSPs have been delivering gigabit broadband connections to homes, they typically do not control the in-house coverage situation. One of the main challenges of in-home WiFi networks is intermediate interference, which can be caused by other WiFi devices (e.g., different WiFi networks) or non-WiFi devices (e.g., microwaves, baby monitors, LTE, DECT equipment). This interference becomes even more problematic in apartment buildings with a large number of neighbors.
The Role of WiFi Technology in Modern Broadband Strategies
WiFi technology is therefore becoming a viable and integral component of CSPs' broadband strategies. Thus, they will have to deploy and operate high-performance carrier-grade WiFi networks that are scalable, capable of supporting customers’ demand, and providing a high-quality user experience. To achieve these objectives, carrier WiFi networks need to provide three basic attributes to truly be branded as "carrier-grade":
Consistent WiFi user experience
A fully integrated end-to-end WiFi network
WiFi network management & WiFi service support capabilities
What is WiFi Optimization?
WiFi Optimization is the process of configuring a WiFi network for optimal performance by minimizing dropouts and maximizing signal strength and speed. This process is crucial for Telcos, ISPs, and businesses that rely on WiFi, such as hotels, restaurants, and retail stores, as it enhances customer satisfaction, reduces churn, and boosts operational efficiency and profits. Home users also benefit from WiFi optimization by getting the most out of their networks.
As end-user devices have shifted to cloud-based applications, WiFi has become the primary network for connectivity, especially with newer devices that rely exclusively on WiFi. The role of WiFi in homes has evolved from supporting a few laptop-based applications to becoming a mission-critical network that handles data, video, and voice services across multiple devices.
For Communication Service Providers (CSPs), WiFi is now an essential part of their business strategy and plays a significant role in the success of their service offerings. WiFi's importance is set to grow even more with the advent of 5G networks.
WiFi optimization involves enhancing the user access layer, application layer, hardware layer, spectrum, and capacity. While CSPs have limited control over the application and device layers, they can manage WiFi spectrum and capacity to improve network performance.
WiFi Optimization Solution?
AXWIFI is Axiros’s very own WiFi Optimization suite of tools that helps telco brands and ISP providers improve the WiFi experience for their customers. It includes features like automatic WiFi troubleshooting, WiFi performance optimization, and WiFi coverage mapping. WiFi Optimization is important because it helps telcos and ISPs improve customer satisfaction, reduce support costs, and increase revenue. In addition, WiFi Optimization can help telcos and ISPs improve their network planning and WiFi deployment.
WiFi Spectrum Optimization
WiFi spectrum is a limited resource, making its efficient use crucial, especially in high-density areas. Traditionally, adding more Access Points (APs) has been the solution to increased bandwidth demands, but this quickly hits the spectrum limits. The 2.4GHz band, with only three non-overlapping channels, can support just three APs effectively; adding more causes interference and reduces throughput.
The 5GHz band provides more channels—up to 24, depending on the country.
In public spaces, many WiFi devices, particularly smartphones, are present but unconnected. These unassociated devices still consume significant spectrum by probing for networks, with probe messages and AP responses occurring at the lowest WiFi rates, consuming valuable air time.
WiFi Capacity Optimization
WiFi is a shared medium—you can only place limited number of users on a given radio before performance begins to suffer. Handling a high density of wireless users and/or a high traffic capacity therefore comes down to providing more wireless radios for communication. Leveraging the available spectrum to the greatest extent possible requires up to 27 radios - the total number of channels available with WiFi.
Traditional APs operate with just two radios - one each fixed in 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This means up to 24 APs would be required in a given area to fully utilize the spectrum and provide maximum WiFi capacity. Traditional APs utilize omnidirectional antennas that transmit wireless signal in a 360-degree pattern—similar to a light bulb.
City of Prague: Residential area with several block of flats. In total 31 x 2.4 GHz and 49 x 5 GHz APs per one location
WiFi Spectrum
Our Solution for WiFi Optimization
All Axiros products can be deployed and operated “On-Premises” or “as a Service”.