Companies want a fast and stable WiFi network, but hardly half have already upgraded to WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E.

A Lancom survey of 361 companies with at least 250 workplaces shows that data processing speed is a top priority for 55 percent of those surveyed. The second most important requirement is network security (53%). Stability and reliability come third (48%).

Despite the high demand for fast and powerful WiFi, it is surprising that 51 percent have not yet switched to WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E. Those who have not yet upgraded either work with devices from the WiFi 5 generation (37 percent) or even with older standards that only operate in the 2.4 GHz band (14 percent). 29 percent have already switched to WiFi 6. Another 20 percent use the latest WiFi generation, WiFi 6E.

Accurate WiFi coverage

With increasing digitalization, not only is the number of WLAN devices increasing, but data-hungry applications are also causing data volumes to grow rapidly. 49 percent of those surveyed see this as the biggest challenge. In addition, 47 percent see the increase in data traffic due to hybrid working methods as a challenge.

In third place is ensuring quality and performance: 43 percent say that high user densities and load peaks affect the stability and performance of WLANs. Four out of ten IT managers cite disruptions in signal quality and data transmission from external networks and non-WLAN radio sources as a further challenge.

To ensure the best possible connectivity, 61 percent of the companies surveyed rely on precise WiFi coverage. This includes location analyzes and precise capacity planning. 42 percent use cloud-based management solutions to manage their WLAN centrally and with a high level of automation. In this way they combat the shortage of skilled workers.