The pandemic accelerated a shift that was already underway: a significant increase in laptop use. With millions of employees setting up home offices and students attending virtual classes, the demand for reliable and robust wireless networking skyrocketed.

Here are a few key impacts:

Increased Bandwidth Demand: Offices transformed into multi-device environments, straining existing networks. High-definition video conferencing, streaming, and collaborative tools require substantial bandwidth and are pushing networks for real-time data requirements.

Improved Wireless Technologies: The need for better connectivity increased the adoption of Wi-Fi 6 and other advanced wireless technologies. These newer standards offer faster speeds, better performance in crowded areas, and improved energy efficiency, making them ideal for the new normal.

Coverage: Organisations have had to rethink where they now need coverage and also the densities. With people going wires-free and increasing the wireless device counts by roughly 20x. This has out a huge strain on access point placements, requiring an AP placement redesign to provide more consistent coverage throughout larger spaces, eliminating dead zones that could disrupt work or learning.

As we move forward, the lessons learned during this period will continue to influence how we approach wireless networking. Ensuring seamless connectivity is not just a convenience but a necessity in our increasingly digital world.