Providing great WiFi can make a big difference
Let’s face it. We like to remain connected wherever we are. In some cases, mobile coverage just, well, doesn’t cover it. Patchy or no signal on your smart device is probably one of, if not the most annoying thing for most hyper-connected users.
As a popular in-joke infographic demonstrated earlier this year, access to the internet has become incredibly important to us – and WiFi has become a cornerstone of our everyday lives – that we can now joke about it being one of “the essentials” of life.
We have become almost completely dependent on having access to online services, wherever we are, that we often feel exposed or in the dark when we are unable to pick up messages, keep track of what’s happening within our social circles, or stay abreast on the latest developing news stories (for whatever they are worth).
Big turn-off
Whenever WiFi isn’t available, or doesn’t meet our expectations we notice and that, for many, can be a big turn-off. This is especially true in hospitality. Would you really stay at a hotel that didn’t offer free WiFi? Or go to a pub/bar that had under-performing WiFi access?
Everywhere we go is influenced, to varying degrees, by whether or not the WiFi is available, and good quality. That also includes being reasonably priced (if any of those plans still exist) or free.
It’s the same for businesses – particularly those that encourage the use of smart devices – BYOD – in the workplace; with reasonable policies in place to ensure that work isn’t affected by quickly scrolling through Twitter. The standard of connection provided to your employees and visitors will have an impact on productivity. Provision of good, fast coverage in all areas frees up your staff to handle most tasks via their mobile device or laptop.
There’s also a perception benefit. By providing good, fast wireless connectivity in all areas it gives the impression that you are modern and prepared to invest in technology to get the best results.
Poor wireless coverage and slow speeds will have the opposite effect.
On the cutting-edge
It is vitally important that all organisations – in leisure and hospitality, retail, transport or almost any other sector in fact – have good, up to date WiFi that supports the latest gadgets, and solid coverage over the entirety of their establishment.
Cutting, or leading, edge technology is essential to allow the latest mobile devices, notebooks and tablets that have the capability to take advantage of the latest standards (currently that’ll be 802.11ac, with WiFi6 around the corner) to ensure that the speed and bandwidth is used as efficiently as possible. Online services are offering richer content and higher definition, so it is wise to prepare for that as much as possible.
Good coverage is also essential, on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz radio bands, in all parts of the premises. There is nothing worse than hunting around trying to find “that sweet spot” where the signal is perfect. It should be perfect (or as close as it can be) everywhere.
Life’s little essentials
With dual-band access points and mesh WiFi systems, ZyXEL has solutions that can ensure good, fast and stable coverage throughout any location. If you are not sure that your WiFi is up to scratch, it’s worth checking out the latest options.
Most of the time, you’ll know when the WiFi isn’t meeting the needs of your customers, guests and staff, as they’ll no doubt mention it (on more than one occasion). WiFi, like all the essentials of life – when people don’t have enough of something important, they’ll soon mention it. Keep them fed, keep them warm, and most importantly, keep them connected with good WiFi.
Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash