In today’s hybrid workplace, many long-held assumptions about Wi-Fi implementation are outdated or just plain wrong. In this insight-packed seven-part blog series, Senior Project Engineer and Wi-Fi specialist Mark Rigby challenges the misconceptions that could be limiting your teams’ productivity.
From “more APs means better coverage” to “hybrid working reduces Wi-Fi load,” this series examines critical myths affecting enterprise wireless performance. You’ll understand why placing new APs in old locations can compromise performance, how to manage the evolution of video conferencing beyond conference rooms, and why speed tests don’t tell the complete story of user experience.
Each blog breaks down:
- The myth and its origins
- The technical reality
- Impact on network performance and productivity
- Strategic considerations and solutions for IT leaders
About your Wi-Fi expert, Mark Rigby
As organisations increasingly rely on wireless connectivity, Mark has seen it all, helping IT leaders avoid the most common connectivity pitfalls that stand in the way of modern workplace connectivity.
As a seasoned network engineer with 20 years in technology, Mark has built his reputation on solving the most challenging wireless infrastructure problems across enterprise environments. His expertise spans wireless planning, design, troubleshooting, and implementation, with a particular focus on high-density deployments in complex environments.
Mark recently demonstrated his Wi-Fi expertise as the lead network engineer for Co-op Live Arena – Europe’s largest indoor music-first venue. This project showcased his ability to architect Wi-Fi solutions of extreme-scale, delivering a network to support 23,500 concurrent users while integrating 40 distinct building systems. The implementation marked the UK’s first full deployment of the Cisco Catalyst 9800 architecture in an arena setting, establishing new benchmarks for venue connectivity and winning Ideal the Cisco Smart Buildings & Venues Partner of the Year Award.
Mark’s hands-on experience with cutting-edge wireless technologies, combined with deep understanding of real-world implementation challenges, has made him a trusted authority in enterprise Wi-Fi architecture. His practical insights come from years of field experience across multiple industries, where he’s mastered the art of delivering solutions that balance theoretical best practices with operational realities.
In the seven part series summarised below, Mark busts the most endemic WiFi myths, separating fact from fiction for those responsible for delivering highly performant wireless network design.
Check out the links in each myth for a deeper dive.
Myth 1 : More Is Always Better
It’s tempting to deploy additional access points (APs) to boost Wi-Fi performance, but this is one of wireless networking’s most persistent misconceptions. While strategic AP placement can enhance connectivity, indiscriminate expansion of your wireless infrastructure often creates more problems than it solves.
In fact, adding APs without proper planning can degrade network performance through increased radio interference, channel congestion, and coverage conflicts. For IT leaders, understanding this counterintuitive reality is crucial – optimal wireless coverage demands thoughtful design rather than simply increasing AP density.
Click here for a deeper dive on why your wireless strategy needs to focus on smart deployment rather than sheer numbers.
Myth 2: All devices see the network equally
The common belief that all devices share an identical Wi-Fi experience reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of wireless networking. While network administrators might expect uniform performance across all connected devices, the reality is far more nuanced and complex.
Each wireless client experiences your network differently, influenced by a multitude of factors – from device-specific hardware capabilities and environmental conditions to network architecture and core Wi-Fi principles. For IT leaders, recognizing this inherent diversity is crucial for delivering reliable connectivity across your organization’s entire device ecosystem.
Click here for a deeper dive into why the assumption of network equality can undermine your wireless strategy.
Myth 3: Default Configuration is fine
The widespread acceptance of out-of-the-box wireless settings represents one of the most dangerous misconceptions in network management. While default configurations offer a starting point, treating them as optimal can severely compromise your network’s performance, security, and efficiency.
These preset configurations are designed for generalized scenarios, not the unique demands of your enterprise environment. For IT leaders, understanding the limitations of default settings is critical – your network’s specific usage patterns, security requirements, and performance demands require thoughtful customization.
Click here for a deeper dive examining why accepting manufacturer defaults can undermine your network’s potential.
Myth 4: Hybrid working means less Wi-Fi load
The assumption that hybrid work reduces wireless network load represents a critical miscalculation in post-pandemic IT planning. While fewer employees may be present in the office, the reality is that hybrid work models often generate increased demands on enterprise Wi-Fi and security infrastructure.
This counterintuitive truth stems from changing work patterns, increased device density per user, and the surge in bandwidth-intensive collaboration tools. For IT leaders, understanding this shifted landscape is essential – hybrid environments require more robust wireless capabilities, not less, to support new ways of working.
Click here for a deeper dive that challenges conventional thinking about hybrid work’s impact on wireless network demand.
Myth 5: It’s fine to just put a new AP where the last one was
The temptation to simply replace access points in their existing locations represents a deceptively suboptimal approach to network upgrades. While this strategy might seem logical and efficient, it overlooks the fundamental evolution of Wi-Fi technology, workplace dynamics, and connectivity demands.
Given the recent transformation of the workplace, modern wireless environments bear little resemblance to their predecessors, with changes in everything from device density to building infrastructure affecting optimal AP placement. For IT leaders, understanding why historical AP locations may no longer serve current needs is crucial for maintaining network performance and user satisfaction.
Click here for a deeper dive into why the “drop-in replacement” mindset can compromise your network’s performance, and what to do about it.
Myth 6: Video conferencing only happens in conference rooms
The notion that video collaboration remains confined to traditional meeting spaces reflects an outdated understanding of modern workplace dynamics. Today’s reality shows video conferencing happening everywhere – from desk-side conversations and home offices to impromptu huddles and mobile devices.
This shift in collaboration patterns has profound implications for network design and capacity planning. For IT leaders, recognizing video conferencing as a ubiquitous activity rather than a location-specific one is essential for delivering consistent, high-quality connectivity across your entire workspace. To borrow a turn of phrase from one of our partners, Palo Networks, work is no longer a place we go to but rather an activity we perform.
Click here for a deeper dive exploring how to optimise your wireless infrastructure in a world where video conferencing has evolved beyond dedicated meeting rooms.
Myth 7: Speed tests reflect user-experience
The widespread belief that speed tests accurately represent network performance is providing false signals to IT leaders and infrastructure architects. While these tests offer snapshot metrics of bandwidth capacity, they fail to capture the complex dynamics that shape real user satisfaction.
What truly determines network quality extends far beyond raw speeds – from application-specific requirements and device capabilities to latency patterns and network congestion. For IT leaders, understanding the disconnect between speed test results and actual user experience is crucial for delivering reliable enterprise connectivity.
This insight marks our final final chapter, demystifying enterprise Wi-Fi, addressing one of the most persistent misconceptions in network management.
Click here for a deeper dive examining how to go beyond speed measurements alone to understand the full story of your network’s performance.
Do you need support with a Wi-Fi issue?
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