Are you finding it hard to keep up with Wi-Fi standards?

Whilst we are still in the midst of telecommunications providers rolling out Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7, we’re already being bombarded with how the next generation is taking shape. 

We’re beginning to see the definitions of Wi-Fi 8, with early pre-standard products being expected to land in 2027 followed by standardised devices in 2028. 

The step up to Wi-Fi 7 has largely been about speed, with it being nearly 4 times as fast as Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 8 on the other hand, as you will likely have read about already, is focusing more on real-world performance – Namely reliability and stability. Hugely important things when it comes to Wi-Fi networks we’re sure you’ll agree. 

The industry is also simultaneously being reshaped by AI. We’re seeing AI everywhere – Maybe even at times when you don’t even realise it is in fact AI! Imagery, video content, social media platforms, captions, blogs – It is absolutely everywhere. And it’s coming for your Wi-Fi. 

So how will AI impact connectivity, and how quickly? 

Wi-Fi is getting more powerful and more complex

What we know about tech is that things are constantly striving to improve. Bigger, better, faster, stronger. Wi-Fi 8 and AI are promising significant improvements, but let’s remember that they are arriving in a world where consumers are actually pretty frustrated with Wi-Fi. 

Consumers demand strong connectivity and reliability – But often without the understanding of the fundamentals of Wi-Fi. Do people realise how sensitive Wi-Fi can be to interference? Things like neighbouring networks, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, even people moving about a room or office. 

Every time we move to a new standard and a new generation of Wi-Fi emerges, the number of parameters and optimisations increases. What does this mean? Well, in short, the average person will no longer be able to tune their own networks. You’re probably going to need a Wi-Fi engineer. (Like us here at Geekabit! Hello!).

Now whilst our Wi-Fi expert engineers understand the sensitivities of Wi-Fi interference and other factors, the average consumer may not. And this is where telecommunications providers get in a tricky spot. When the Wi-Fi underperforms, the end user doesn’t think ‘Oh that’s just Margaret heating up her lunch with the microwave’ – They blame the internet provider.

When it comes to Wi-Fi problems, many end users and consumers will blur the lines between ‘My Wi-Fi is slow’ and ‘My internet is slow.’ The broadband being delivered to the premises may well be performing just fine, but it’s actually interference within the building that’s causing the Wi-Fi to buffer and fail. 

So what needs to come next? 

Managed Wi-Fi

The way forward for telecommunications providers and happy, non-frustrated consumers is Managed Wi-Fi.

Telecommunication providers will be able to use a cloud-based control platform, where they can consistently collect performance data from home Wi-Fi devices and automatically optimise key parameters. This would completely remove the burden from the end user. 

Instead of end users trying to guess whether they should change a band or a channel, or change a setting, the network would adjust itself—often even before the customer notices an issue.

As we said above, consumers expert strong, reliable Wi-Fi – And not just to their door, but to every receiving user device. Managed Wi-Fi will also enable telecommunication providers to shift the demarcation point from the front door and actually into the home. 

Companies need to be doing more than just delivering high speeds to the router – Telecommunications providers need to make sure that high quality connectivity is achieved in every room of a premises. Mesh networking and centralised cloud optimisation will allow them to do exactly that.

A managed platform will be able to see all Wi-Fi nodes across a network. This means it will be able to reduce operational expenses by giving customer care agents and network administrators better visibility into the root causes of any issues. 

Managed Wi-Fi significantly shortens resolution time and reduces operating costs, even without AI enhancements.

Transformative AI will accelerate Managed Wi-Fi

Cloud platforms already gather enormous volumes of data. We’re talking around 200 billion data points in a 24 hour period across deployed devices. 

This gives telecommunications companies a huge amount of data and detail about exactly Wi-Fi behaves in real-world environments.  

It won’t be long before AI and machine learning will enable telecommunications providers to use these data points for even deeper insights. 

For example:

• Identifying the root cause of any issues by correlating symptoms across the premises, the access link and the RF environment
• Reducing the need for a customer agent walk through by automatically eliminating unlikely causes
• Assisting support teams by giving improved guidance so that issues can be resolved on the first try
• Optimising Wi-Fi conditions across millions of premises in a way that is not currently practical

Those that have already deployed Managed Wi-Fi will be best positioned to benefit from these insights when the industry makes this leap forward. 

How will this be monetised?

A survey conducted by Nokia gathered data from 600 gamers – A data set known for their hardcore broadband use. Results suggest that 8 out of 10 would be willing to switch broadband providers if it meant better Wi-Fi. Not only that, but they’d also be prepared to pay a premium for it too.

Once a telecommunication provider is delivering reliable, optimised coverage, other value-added opportunities arise. Consumers are increasingly willing to pay for additional services and features like 

• Cybersecurity
• Parental controls
• Smart home protection, etc.

Whilst these can be sold as add-ons, they can also be bundled into higher-tier broadband packages. And once a customer finds a package deal that meets their needs, the tend to rarely downgrade. 

Wi-Fi 8 and AI are well on the way

Whilst there are many fantastic opportunities that Wi-Fi 8 and AI will bring, they will also bring complexities. The best thing to do is prepare for it now.  

Next generation connectivity will be made possible with Managed Wi-Fi through the platform, the data, and the operational framework. Will telecommunication providers take full advantage of what’s coming next?