The Shocking Truth About Wi-Fi Issues in Your Home Office

As more people are now working from home, the demand for reliable internet connectivity has increased significantly. While Wi-Fi is convenient and easy to use, it comes with its own set of drawbacks and challenges. In this article, I will discuss some of the common issues associated with Wi-Fi in a hybrid home-office model.

Interference:??

One of the major issues associated with Wi-Fi is interference. There are many devices that operate on similar frequencies as Wi-Fi such as microwaves, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices. When these devices are used near the router or access point, they can cause interference that can lead to slow speeds or dropped connections.?

?Security:??

Wi-Fi networks are more susceptible to security breaches compared to wired networks. Hackers can easily intercept data transmitted over wireless networks if they gain access to them. This can be particularly problematic when sensitive data is being transmitted over the network.?

Distance limitations:??

Another limitation of Wi-Fi is distance limitations. The range of a typical Wi-Fi router is limited, which means you may have difficulty connecting to your network if you're far away from the router. Additionally, walls and other physical barriers can also affect signal strength.?

Domain joined devices:??

Cloud and domain devices need a connection to the relevant cloud services, in particular Azure AD, to authenticate and synchronize data and security protocols. When the user password is changed on the cloud and the Wi-Fi connectivity is lost, the lack of synchronization will cause a mismatch between the computer’s cached credentials and that which is stored in Azure/M365.??

Reliability:??

Finally, one of the most significant disadvantages of using Wi-Fi in a hybrid home-office model is reliability issues. Even though modern routers are designed to provide fast and reliable internet access, there are still times when your connection might drop or become unstable due to various reasons such as interference or signal congestion.?

Given these challenges with using Wi-Fi in a hybrid home-office model, it's recommended that users consider cable connectivity instead for their workstations when possible. Cable connectivity provides several advantages over Wi-Fi:? ?

Faster speeds:??

Cable connectivity can provide faster speeds than those offered by Wi-Fi connections because it offers direct connection between your device and your modem or router without any intermediaries between them like Wi-Fi signal repeaters/boosters etc.,?

More stable connection:??

Since cables transmit data through wires rather than radio signals, they tend to be more stable than wireless connections.?

Less susceptible to interference:??

Cables do not suffer from interference problems like those encountered by wireless signals which makes them more reliable for streaming video or audio content without buffering.?

In conclusion, while Wi-Fi may be convenient for personal use at home where reliability isn't paramount. In a hybrid work setting where productivity matters tethering yourself directly via cable will offer better stability and speed if possible.?Image by FreePik

Personal Bio:

Marc Rossmann is an experienced IT professional with over 40 years of experience in the fields of ITC, Telecoms, End User Support and Microsoft products. In this article, Marc shares his personal opinions and insights on Wi-Fi issues in a hybrid home-office model. All opinions expressed in this article are his own and do not relate to any current or past employment.