How Wireless Networks Are Designed — and What a Wi-Fi Heatmap Is Used For?

A well-designed wireless network starts with a site survey, and a Wi-Fi heatmap is the result: a colour-coded map of your building showing where the signal is strong, weak or missing. It takes the guesswork out of where to put access points.

How wireless networks are designed

1. Requirements: how many people and devices, what they do (video calls, stock scanners, guest Wi-Fi) and which areas need coverage.
2. Site survey: an engineer measures signal strength and interference throughout the building. Walls, glass, metal shelving and neighbouring networks all affect Wi-Fi.
3. Heatmap and design: the survey data produces a heatmap, which is used to plan the number, position and settings of access points.
4. Installation and validation: after installation, a second survey confirms the coverage matches the design.

What a heatmap shows

• Signal strength across every floor and room
• Dead spots and weak areas
• Interference and channel overlap
• Where to add or move access points

When you need one

Consider a survey when you move office, add staff, see dropouts on video calls, or plan a new Wi-Fi system.

See our wireless survey and heatmap service or business connectivity options.