Many people assume that WiFi mesh networking is a technology only for the municipal wireless market, and not for the enterprise. In reality, we see many corporations and enterprises using mesh technology to deliver wireless connectivity in certain types of environments. Few enterprises are using mesh devices to provide coverage in carpeted office areas where it’s not too difficult to provide an ethernet connection. But many are using mesh where it’s more challenging and costly to deliver ethernet: in large warehouses or manufacturing floors, in mines, in large airport terminals, etc. In these areas, the cost of delivering an ethernet connection can be many times the price of a wireless access point.

Where this is the case, mesh technology’s ability to extend the reach of wireless without costly cable drop offers significant cost savings and a very attractive value proposition. Over the past several years, we’ve seen IT organizations become much more sophisticated in the design of their wireless networks. Rather than trying to find a single ‘one-size-fits-all’ technology, they’re selecting the best technology for each operating environment and to support the applications that will be used in that area.

At AirWave, we often talk about how wireless networks inherently become more heterogeneous as they mature and expand. The selective, intelligent use of different wireless technologies is just one more example of this heterogeneity.