Nowadays Wi-Fi becomes part of life and an essential aspect in hospitality world. Almost 90% hotel in Indonesia benefited Wi-Fi technology as media to set up their internet connectivity for their users/guests. Some hotels even provide internet connection for free via Wi-Fi as part of the excellent service. Wi-Fi technology often used because it is a simple technology that able to be connected everywhere. But it doesn’t mean that Wi-Fi has no weakness factor, often Wi-Fi caused complaints from users/guests when they are not able to be connected to internet.
Nowadays Wi-Fi becomes part of life and an essential aspect in hospitality world. Almost 90% hotel in Indonesia benefited Wi-Fi technology as media to set up their internet connectivity for their users/guests. Some hotels even provide internet connection for free via Wi-Fi as part of the excellent service. Wi-Fi technology often used because it is a simple technology that able to be connected everywhere. But it doesn’t mean that Wi-Fi has no weakness factor, often Wi-Fi caused complaints from users/guests when they are not able to be connected to internet.
To support internet connection for daily activities usage, hotel uses two alternatives to boost up their Internet connectivity, which are cable and Wi-Fi. During daily usage of Internet Connection, the effectiveness of Internet connection often measured by these two things, such as:
1) The convenience of user to be connected, either using cable or Wi-Fi
2) Internet connection speed.
On this article we will discuss about WiFi while speed of Internet connection will be discussed on the next article.
Based on some complaint about Wi-Fi, some complain often heard are:
1) Wi-Fi signal is found and connected to devices but devices still not able to connect to internet.
2) Wi-Fi signal found but devices cannot connect to certain Access Point.
What is actually happening when users/guests are not able to connect to Wi-Fi?
1. Frequency
Frequency 2.4 Ghz is a default frequency used in any devices that has ability to connect to internet via Wi-Fi. All standard Access Point devices distributed in the market usually work in frequency 2.4 Ghz, but “Dual Band” device is able to function in another frequency of 5.8 Ghz.
Not all Access Point devices sold in the market are able to work with two frequencies. Any devices that works on frequency 5.8 Ghz must be able to work in 2.4 Ghz, but it doesn’t happen vice versa because device that works in 2.4 Ghz not necessary able to work in 5.8 Ghz. It is due to differences of chips used.
Generally, new releases gadget is able to work with both 2.4 Ghz and 5.8 Ghz frequencies. Gadget distributed in market today has no ability to automatically work with both frequencies, users/guests has to choose either one frequency to work with on their gadget setting. There are some high end new gadget that automatically set their device prioritizing to work with frequency 5.8 Ghz.
Nevertheless, there are some information you needed to know about frequency above. Frequency 2.4 Ghz is sensitive to water, for example if an Access Point were set up outdoor close to swimming pool, Wi-Fi signal from that Access Point will be absorb by water from that swimming pool. Not only that, morning dew that settles on tree will also affect frequency of 2.4 Ghz because morning dew absorb signal as well. Besides that, frequency 2.4 Ghz also sensitive to any cloth material and hay, so a room with closed curtains and closed door will have difficulty to get Wi-Fi signal from Access Point.
Unlike frequency 2.4 Ghz, frequency 5.8 Ghz relatively has more resistance to weather and complicated condition but it doesn’t mean frequency 5.8 Ghz free from any trouble. Problem on frequency 5.8 Ghz usually happen on gadget itself.
2. Bandwidth and Range
In daily life we often hear a standard a/n/n, it is a term used to describe bandwidth ability of a devices. You need to know to that the speed of internet connection will vary based on the radius of distance covered by certain Access Point. The greater bandwidth capacity used means the less of distance coverage area. (Courtesy: Apple Inc)
3. Number of user connected and bandwidth capacity
Technical design of an Access Point may affect performance of certain Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi devices distributed on market have their own standards, such as industrial grade, home grade and SMB grade.
Basic differences of those devices are the transmission sensitivity, feature presented, number of user, bandwidth traffic control, frequency and the most important is power, bandwidth and electricity used.
Example:
- By using a home grade device, what is going to happen when one user is downloading 30 Mbps speed? Thing that happen is bandwidth capacity will lessen as well as radius of coverage. Other user will experience weaken Wi-Fi signal and slower internet speed.
- There is a home grade device which set for less than 10 people. What is going to happen if that device is being connected by 200 users all together? Internet connection will get to be very slow and some user might experience failed connection. This is because processor and ram of the device is not able to accommodate internet connection need for 200 users.
4. Device priority
Hyper trading technology is a technology known by its ability to decrease a processer performance while electricity supply is not in maximum condition. That principle generally adapted by brand new gadget, while the battery is not on optimal condition, gadget performance will automatically lessen. Gadget will automatically support the main performance as a cellular phone rather that as internet devices. So it can be understood that gadget will not perform it best internet performance while the battery is low.
