HW038: From Coax to Fiber: Wi-Fi Evolution in Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs)
Oct 16, 2024
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Todd Thorpe, an MDU Wi-Fi design expert with over 20 years in telecommunications, shares insights about the evolution of Wi-Fi in apartment and condo settings. He discusses the shift from coax cable to modern managed Wi-Fi solutions. Todd highlights the challenges of retrofitting older buildings and the need for robust connectivity in high-density environments. He explains the benefits of managed services and the innovative use of pre-shared keys to ensure seamless access for residents in shared living spaces.
Todd Thorpe highlights the significant evolution from coax cable services to modern managed Wi-Fi solutions in multiple dwelling units (MDUs).
The podcast discusses the distinct challenges of installing Wi-Fi networks in existing MDUs compared to new constructions, emphasizing infrastructure limitations.
Deep dives
Evolution of MDU Technology
The podcast discusses the significant evolution of technology solutions in multiple dwelling units (MDUs) over the last few decades. Todd Thorpe shares his experiences, starting from the early days of selling cable services door-to-door to the surge of internet technology in these properties. He emphasizes how technology adaptations, such as the introduction of multidwelling sales programs, have transformed the way services are implemented in apartments, condos, and other multifamily housing. The discussion highlights how the market's shift from traditional cable TV to integrated internet and Wi-Fi solutions reflects broader technological advancements in telecommunications.
Design Challenges and Solutions
The conversation examines the distinct challenges encountered when designing Wi-Fi networks for existing versus new MDU properties. Existing buildings often have complex limitations due to infrastructure, which can make the installation of a reliable Wi-Fi network difficult. In contrast, new constructions allow for optimal network placement from the outset, leading to a more seamless user experience. Examples presented illustrate how early designs in existing properties often led to inadequate Wi-Fi coverage due to poor wiring and design choices, necessitating a transition towards better planning methods in newer projects.
Managed Wi-Fi vs. Consumer Solutions
Thorpe elaborates on the differences between managed Wi-Fi services and traditional consumer solutions within MDUs, particularly concerning network performance. Managed Wi-Fi setups, characterized by a unified SSID and better traffic management, provide a significantly improved experience for residents compared to individual consumer-grade routers installed in every unit. He describes how a single SSID allows seamless connectivity across the property, enabling residents to maintain their connection while roaming. This approach minimizes issues related to co-channel interference, common in setups where each unit has its own consumer router, thus ensuring a more reliable service for all residents.
Todd Thorpe is today’s guest on Heavy Wireless joining host Keith Parsons to explain the evolution of Wi-Fi technology in Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs) like apartments and condos. Todd, with over 20 years of MDU experience, discusses the industry’s transformation from early coax cable services to modern managed Wi-Fi solutions. The challenges of retrofitting older... Read more »
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