Types of Wi-Fi and other Wireless Tech and Their Best Uses

Wireless technology has taken the world by storm. Initially, we only connected our computers to it, but soon enough, our phones could also connect to WiFi. With time, this wireless technology started making its way deep into our appliances, and that is where the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) started.

IoT uses wireless services to connect different elements together to make complex tasks easier. So let’s discuss four major wireless technology applications, starting with the most common of them all, Wi-Fi.

The Most Common Wireless Service – Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is as close as you can get to a one-size-fits-all communication solution. It can connect a wide range of components simultaneously, transmit complex signals extremely fast, and allow users to take advantage of a network environment across a large area.

We should mention here that cellular 5G, 4G/LTE, and 3G have a wider range of operation (a few kilometers), but they use more power as well. Wi-Fi has a data rate of over 100 MBps (9.6 GB throughput for Wi-Fi 6) with an average range of 10 meters.

Features

Wi-Fi isn’t the most cost-efficient solution out there when we look at just the operating or maintenance costs. However, if we compare the functionality of the four major wireless technologies, it becomes evident that Wi-Fi is the most cost-effective one.

Here is a table to help you understand the costs and salient features of the technology;

Feature	Wi-Fi	Bluetooth	RFID	Cellular
Cost*	$400	$150	System: $25 Chips: 4.5 cents	Tower: $175,000 Booster: 199.97
Range	10m Wi-Fi HaLow: 120m	10m	3m – 5m	1.2 km
Data Rate	+100 MBps	1 MBps	900 bytes	+100 MBps
Power	2-20 watts	1 watt	Less than 1 watt	3G: 26 watts 4G: 40-100 watts 5G: 40-150 watts

*national average

Costs

Wi-Fi has found extensive use in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, allowing users to communicate with each other and the world quickly. As the table above suggests, Wi-Fi is one of the most cost-effective solutions because of the value it offers.

Other Benefits

It can be a bit of an investment but it gives you more control over your communication because of its relatively larger coverage area, low power requirement, and high data rate. In-house systems or connections via LAN cables can be particularly useful.

The technology also allows for a much more diverse environment because of quicker transfer rates, better coverage, scalability, and its ability to be connected with nearly every gadget and equipment these days.

Wi-Fi 6 has been implemented in several key areas, especially in public life, mass entertainment, car networks, and more.

Every IoT vertical and application is unique, from Bluetooth to cellular data and WiFi, each offering a different perspective and its different uses. If you are interested in harnessing these technologies, and figuring out how they can best work with your business, give us a call so we can discuss your next project, today!