The wireless mesh network has become increasingly popular in the past few years (since 2015, to be precise). However, this marvelous invention made its first appearance around the 1980s in military experiments. Later (around the 1990s), it was made available in high-end production hardware.
It took another decade for the network to become publicly available due to high costs, complexity, and radio spectrum limitations. Today, homeowners are not willing to gamble with their precious internet connectivity.
Those working from home and residing in larger properties with multiple devices accessing the internet find the mesh network an inviting convenience. This network is also suitable for those experiencing slow connectivity and coverage blackspot issues.
The worldwide mesh network market currently stands at $8.29 billion and is expanding at a CAGR of 8.6%. Have you still not revolutionized your home using this Wi-Fi network? This article will give you four compelling reasons to invest in a mesh network.
No Downtime Issues
We all have faced downtime issues at one point or the other when the Wi-Fi network is temporarily inaccessible. Ironically, this usually happens right when you need the network the most. Downtime issues may occur due to several reasons, including maintenance or upgrades, outages, or equipment failure.
Sometimes, inclement weather conditions or network congestion may be responsible for internet downtime. In the case of a conventional Wi-Fi network, you have to wait for the issue to be resolved. This could take anywhere from a couple of minutes to even a few hours.
With a mesh network, downtime is not a problem. Despite the entire network sharing the same Service Set Identifier (SSID), a particular node may face weak connectivity.
Then, the devices using the mesh network will be automatically connected to another node with a stronger signal. This way, there are no downtime issues, and no time is lost.
Easy Installation
Another benefit of mesh Wi-Fi is the ease with which you can install it. The setup is pretty straightforward as you only need to plug in nodes into power sockets. Then, use the mobile application to configure the whole thing, and you’re good to go.
Unlike traditional Wi-Fi systems with an unsightly router one would desperately try to hide out of sight, mesh systems include smaller nodes. They are designed to be attractive enough to seamlessly blend with the surroundings.
Moreover, each node uses the same SSID and password. This means you can roam from one room to the other without logging into a secondary extended network each time. Whether you stay within the range of the extender or the main router, the same login details will suffice.
Top-Notch Multi-Device Handling
With traditional Wi-Fi systems, it is not uncommon to experience spotty network coverage throughout the house. Essentially, there are certain high-access points or rooms where you enjoy great connectivity whereas other areas remain dry and shaky.
According to WOW!, the mesh network is designed to support multiple devices through lightning-fast fiber internet. With a single base or router, the system requires several nodes to be connected. These nodes, acting as satellites, may be spread across the property.
Since the network coverage is now sprinkled throughout your home, you can expect reliable connections practically everywhere. This also means saying goodbye to dead zones despite multiple devices.
If you want the numbers, a mesh network can be strong enough to support over 100 devices at a time. In the case of high-bandwidth activities like hardcore gaming, the number of devices can come down to 28 to 30.
Smooth Scaling
The fourth way mesh networks revolutionize homes is through their vast scope for scalability. Let’s understand it this way – the mesh topology is such that each device is connected to every other device across the network.
This means data has numerous paths to take. If one link fails because the connected node is experiencing connectivity issues, the rest of the network will still function. It is for this reason that adding or removing devices does not affect the network’s strength.
In case you’re wondering, the distance between each node will affect the mesh network’s connectivity. Thankfully, mesh’s node placement is not as troublesome as moving around with your main router across the house.
The ideal distance between one node and the other would be halfway between the dead zone and the main router. To put things into perspective, you should place each node not more than 30 feet apart – the approximate distance between two rooms.
Wrapping Up
To determine whether the mesh network is the right Wi-Fi choice for your home, ask yourself a few important questions. These include your current internet speed, budget, whether you’re facing network issues frequently, and the realistic coverage you need.
A mesh network is most suitable for those relying on a Wi-Fi network, having a high budget, dwelling in multi-level large properties, and experiencing annoying downtime issues. It is also possible that your home is modest, but the walls are thick enough to prevent effective signal distribution.
Once you have a reliable mesh system installed, you will know first-hand how convenient, user-friendly, and scalable it is. Then, be it the basement or the attic, the blanket network will have it all covered!
