THE FUTURE OF

THE FUTURE OF CONNECTIVITY

Sakkeer Hussain, Director, Sales and Marketing, D-Link Middle East and Africa, explores the future of connectivity and highlights the potential of mesh networks.

Technology will continue to be even more deeply rooted in our lives than it already is – in the future everything will be about connectivity. Home automation will increasingly become the norm, with customer expectations nothing short of unprecedented technologies that are seamless and unified. The main technologies that will define the connected and smart home future include cloud, IoT, latest Wi-Fi versions and hardware, innovations within networks and so on. This year we have seen the accelerated adoption of digital transformation technologies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and as we enter into the newyear, this is expected to further increase.

The global smart home market is expected to reach a value of more than $53 billion by 2022. The backbone technologies fueling the growth of this segment include Internet of Things (IoT), enabled by fast and stable Wi-Fi connections. According to a report by research firm IDC, spending on IoT technologies in the Middle East and Africa is set to reach $17.63 billion by 2023, as governments and organizations prioritize and invest in digital transformation projects.

Technologies such as 5G and Wi-Fi 6 will also play a key role in customer adoption of smart homes. The rampant growth of 5G networks will clear the path for even more intelligent means of home automation. 5G will enable seamless uninterrupted networks all around the house, satiating users’ need for speed and higher bandwidth. The latest generation of wireless technology offers better reliable coverage, lower cost-per-bit, enhanced network performance and unified integration of 4G systems and Wi-Fi. It will also allow for a much higher number of devices to be connected to the Internet.

Wi-Fi 6, also known as AX Wi-Fi or 802.11ax Wi-Fi, also offers users the opportunity to achieve speedier and even more efficient performance from routers and other devices. Wi-Fi 6, introduced in the market in 2019, greatly expands and enriches the current 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard.

According to research firm IDC, Wi-Fi 6 will offer extensive benefits to a vast number of users and use cases. The most important advantages will be seen in areas with high densities of users or client devices connecting to and transferring data over wireless networks. The research firm states that businesses that face these challenges will be the first adopters of the technology while others will integrate it as part of regular cyclical refreshes of WLAN hardware upgrades. With so many different devices and appliances being connected to the Internet, it is worth ensuring that the router is updated and can distribute connections to your devices effectively. Sometimes, owners only think of checking the reliability of the WiFi connection after they have moved into the house, only to then realize they might have to invest even more to have the connections up to standard.

The smart homes of the future should be built with connectivity as its foundation. Robust, fast and reliable Wi-Fi connections are essential to the smooth operation of a smart home or building. There is nothing more frustrating for homeowners when they experience inadequate quality of connectivity or poor coverage of Wi-Fi, making their homes momentarily unintelligent. This is why Mesh Wi-Fi routers can be the answer to most Wi-Fi-related challenges.

Mesh Wi-Fi Routers

Mesh routers are the cutting-edge technology upgrade for home Wi-Fi setups, that can be the answer to most Wi-Fi challenges. It has been in use for many years in big spaces where network security was vital such as military bases and other businesses. It is a proven and stable technology. Today, the technology can be applied at residential spaces to enhance home Wi-Fi.

Many channel partners and customers are still not clear about how mesh routers work and why it is the better option. Partners find it challenging to convince

customers to upgrade their old routers, let alone make the switch to mesh routers.

So, what are mesh networks and how do they work? Often one of the biggest problems for most users is having spaces in their homes where the Wi-Fi connection is not strong enough or suddenly drops. A mesh router system employs multiple WiFi routers, part of a single wireless network, to operate together to cover every part of your home with an uninterrupted and strong wireless data connection. Technologies are evolving at a dynamic pace. It is important to stay up to date with the latest technology to get the best possible results. Mesh networks adapt more efficiently to the way customers use technology today.

The advanced Mesh Wi-fi technology from global connectivity solutions provider D-Link boosts wireless network connectivity, effortlessly facilitating domotics or home automation across smart homes. A home automation system usually includes regulating lighting, climate, entertainment systems, and appliances. Sometimes it may also have to manage home security such as access control and alarm systems. D-Link’s mesh technology innovation Covr offers a seamless Wi-Fi solution that is ideal for modern smart homes. It envelops every inch of the home with high speed AC1200 Dual-Band WiFi, enabling users to experience stable, consistent and seamless Wi-Fi.

D-Link had also introduced its all-new Exo Smart Mesh Wi-Fi Router series recently, adding to its portfolio of seamless connection solutions for the home, in the Middle East and Africa market. The next-generation routers offer high-performance Wi-Fi connectivity combined with McAfee protection, providing a faster and more secure home network.

ADVANTAGES OF MESH NETWORKING

There are several advantages of using mesh networks in your home or small to medium office spaces. Sakkeer Hussain Director, Sales and Marketing, D-Link MEA

1. They are devised to offer easy network access from any point of your home or office.

2. No longer do you have to walk in and out of rooms searching for a spot that has the strongest Wi-Fi connection. Mesh networks offer uniform signal quality and strength, giving you an uninterrupted wireless experience.

3. With IoT spending on the rise, one of the key issues that arises is security around connected devices and routers. Mesh networks offer advanced security and enable automatic check and installation of firmware updates. Some of the latest mesh routers are equipped with features to screen and block malicious sites.

The biggest benefit of mesh networks is that customers no longer have to worry about dead zones or connection gaps and can have a true seamless experience, whether they are streaming movies or video calling. The use cases and potential of mesh networks are far and wide. To sum up, the way we communicate, and speed of connectivity will transform greatly in the future. It is essential to stay tuned to the market developments to leverage the advantages a connected future can offer.