iTWire - Wi-Fi

Accor’s Le Royal Monceau and RUCKUS Networks complete Olympian effort to deliver world-class connectivity experience in time for summer

2024-08-12T13:18:09+10:00

COMPANY NEWS: Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, part of the world leading Accor hospitality group has successfully completed the upgrade of its Wi-Fi® network in time for guests visiting the French capital this summer, with the help of f CommScope’s ( (NASDAQ; COMM) RUCKUS Networks.

The exclusive hotel has deployed more than 330 RUCKUS® access points (APs) within its 149 guest rooms & suites and back of house, three high density public area APs in its Katara Cinema, six outdoor APs and two RUCKUS SmartZone™ Wi-Fi Controllors. The deployment of RUCKUS access points will elevate the guest experience through enhanced connectivity speeds, low latency, improved security and increased reliability and capacity. Guests will benefit from robust, reliable Wi-Fi that supports high- density environments, perfect for streaming or video calling friends and family back home, as well as other bandwidth-intensive applications.

In addition, the RUCKUS SmartZone controller will simplify network management, providing the hotel's IT team with advanced solutions to optimise performance and swiftly address any issues. This upgrade underscores Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris's commitment to offering a world-class stay, combining luxury with cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of its guests.

"I am thrilled to announce our recent upgrade to RUCKUS Wi-Fi technology, supported by a dedicated 4Gb fiber connection exclusively for our guests,” commented Hedi Elkilani, IT Director of Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris. “This significant enhancement underscores our commitment to providing an unparalleled digital experience for our esteemed guests. With RUCKUS's advanced Wi-Fi solutions, we are now able to deliver seamless, high-speed internet connectivity throughout our property, ensuring that every guest enjoys the same level of performance and reliability they expect at home. This upgrade not only enhances our guests' ability to stream, video conference, and stay connected but also supports our vision of offering a world-class, tech-savvy environment that meets the evolving needs of
today's travelers."

“When traveling far and wide, guests expect a premium experience, including a fast, easy and uninterrupted Wi-Fi connection,” stated Bart Giordano, SVP & President, Networking, Intelligent Cellular and Security Solutions, CommScope. “Our deployment with Le Royal Monceau is a great example of how RUCKUS Networks’ Wi-Fi technology and expertise in network infrastructure offers real value to premium hospitality venues and guests, delivering the caliber of stay that today’s hotel guests expect.”

The deployment of RUCKUS Wi-Fi solution throughout Le Royal Monceau concluded in July 2024, facilitating uninterrupted access to these connectivity benefits to guests checking in during the heightened summer travel months.

Built in 1928, Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris reopened in 2010 as the most exciting luxury hotel in Paris, after a complete two-year transformation by designer Philippe Starck. In 2013, the property’s “Palace” distinction was given, rewarding the hotel of its prestigious 5-star excellence rating. Located near the Champs-Elysées in Paris' 8th arrondissement, Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, is known for its contemporary vibe and as a rendezvous for artists and writers as well as luxury seekers and adventurers. The omnipresent artistic and vibrant culture comes to life through the property’s exclusive Art Concierge, the Art Bookstore, an Art Gallery, a 99-seat Katara Cinema and an impressive private Art collection. With its 149 Parisian designed bedrooms and spacious suites, including 3 Presidential Suites, the only contemporary Palace in Paris is only steps from the Arc de Triomphe. Acclaimed for its international culinary offerings, the hotel’s award-winning restaurants showcase the property’s creative spirit, from the sweet symphony by Chef and Entrepreneur Yazid Ichemrahen, to the effervescence of ‘Le Bar Long’ and its three restaurants: ‘Matsuhisa Paris’, dedicated to Japanese-Peruvian gastronomy from the famous Chef Nobu and ‘Il Carpaccio’, a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant in collaboration with Da Vittorio family. Not to be missed are the outstanding brunches and breakfasts at ‘La Cuisine’ restaurant. Furthermore, the 1,500sqm Clarins & myBlend Spa is an award-winning paradise, featuring one of the longest swimming pools of a Parisian Palace.

WLAN revenues decline in 2024

2024-08-06T08:45:10+10:00

Wireless LAN (WLAN) revenues are expected to drop 13% in 2024 with lower prices exacerbating depressed demand, according to market research firm Dell’Oro Group.

Meanwhile, vendors sensitive to eroding prices are cutting back on some functions of their Wi-Fi 7 APs, and this is expected to increase the adoption of the new technology over the next five years, Dell’Oro Group says.

Dell’Oro Group research director Siân Morgan attributes the drop to the digestion of previous WLAN shipments and cautiousness of some enterprises due to macroeconomic conditions.

“We expect to see signs of recovery in 4Q 2024 once excess inventory is flushed through the system, and the market returns to demand-driven dynamics,” Morgan says.

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“IT budgets are stretched. On one hand, enterprises are under pressure to figure out how Generative AI can revolutionise their businesses. On the other hand, companies need highly performing networks to enable digital transformations. Vendors sensitive to these pressures are releasing cost-effective Wi-Fi 7 APs which will help accelerate the adoption of this latest generation of Wi-Fi,” adds Morgan.

Findings from the Wireless LAN 5-Year July 2024 Forecast Report include:

AIOps features are driving up license revenues and delivering significant value to enterprises facing labour difficulties.

Wi-Fi 6E adoption is still growing but will be eclipsed by Wi-Fi 7 in 2025.

If the closing of HPE’s acquisition of Juniper Networks is delayed due to regulatory concerns, WLAN revenues could suffer as enterprises opt to wait before buying.

The first AP shipments of the standard expected to be branded as “Wi-Fi 8” are expected in 2028 and will be focused on increasing reliability instead of expanding capacity.

Singtel adopts TR-369 standard for enhanced Wi-Fi management

2024-07-31T09:55:40+10:00

Singaporean telco Singtel implemented the international Broadband Forum TR-369 standard for Wi-Fi management, claiming it is the first fixed broadband service provider in the world to do this feat.

With smart home setups becoming more advanced, the adoption of the TR-369 standard and deployment of Nokia’s Corteca Home Controller will enable Singtel to manage multi-vendor home broadband customer premise equipment and accelerate the rollout of new technologies and capabilities like Wi-Fi 7, 10Gbps broadband services and more.

Singtel will gain deeper insights into the network performance and technical issues faced by customers.

These enable agents to pre-empt and solve network-related issues more effectively.

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“With the adoption of an open standard such as TR-369, we can better manage and optimise the Wi-Fi connections using intelligent algorithms, which will automatically ease network congestion and eliminate interference from other Wi-Fi networks to deliver the smoothest, uninterrupted user experience for our customers,” says Singtel Singapore managing director networks Tay Yeow Lian.

Singtel claims it has invested to boost the national broadband network to be able to support rising demands for new technologies.

In December 2023, Singtel launched Singapore’s first symmetrical 10Gbps broadband plan with the newest Wi-Fi 7 protocol, offering speeds of up to 10Gbps wirelessly, for both uploads and downloads.

ICC Sydney upgrades Wi-Fi infrastructure

2024-06-24T09:53:44+10:00

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, has upgraded its technology inventory with a $3 million investment in Wi-Fi 6 capable infrastructure.

The venue now features available Wi-Fi 6 and 6e capable access points and multi-gigabit capable network switches—made available for all visitors to the venue and has a 20Gb of internet connectivity upgrade in the pipeline.

ICC Sydney CEO and ASM Global (APAC) group director – convention centres Geoff Donaghy said the venue team was committed to elevating the event experience by implementing innovative solutions.

“ICC Sydney was purpose-built to cater for ever-evolving meetings and through this investment it has strengthened its ability to execute even better events for our diverse network of clients and visitors,” Donaghy said.

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“Our team members take great pride in presenting seamlessly integrated technological solutions and the latest internet connectivity venue enhancements support this ongoing quest for excellence,” Donaghy added.

Salesforce senior director strategic experiences Asia Pacific Stuart Frank said the venue team’s expertise combined with the upgraded internet network ensured the experience for attendees at the recent Salesforce World Tour was seamless and world-class.

“ICC Sydney’s team provided fantastic technical support and infrastructure at the 2024 Salesforce World Tour event. Their commitment to innovation, with increased Wi-Fi 6 and 6e capability proved invaluable to the seamless operation of our event while enhancing the experience of our 9,800 attendees and exhibitors,” Frank attested.

Donaghy added that ICC Sydney’s continual enhancements of technology products and services reaffirms the “venue’s reputation on a global stage.”

“Working with the latest technology and the best people in the industry, the future possibilities for business and entertainment events are limitless,” Donaghy said.

JCU Singapore deploys Juniper Networks for campus Wi-Fi upgrade

2024-01-30T17:51:15+11:00

James Cook University Singapore (JCU Singapore), the first international campus of James Cook University Australia (JCU Australia), has deployed Juniper Networks’ cloud-delivered wireless access solutions driven by Mist AI for upgrades to its campus network.

During the pandemic, the university conducted over 60,000 online learning and teaching sessions before resuming full campus operations in 2022.

In response to the growing population and students’ feedback to continue providing a flexible learning environment, the university offered most courses through a blended learning approach.

JCU Singapore teamed up with Juniper to overhaul its campus wireless network. The university deployed the Juniper AP43 and AP63 Wireless Access Points across its facilities—including its lecture and seminar rooms, libraries, labs, aquaculture research centres, and sports facilities.

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Using Juniper's Mist AI and cloud, the university's IT team deployed the APs campus-wide, establishing the wireless network before the school term.

The APs work in conjunction with Juniper Mist Wi-Fi Assurance to resolve Wi-Fi issues by pinpointing their source.

“With an AI-driven network, we are confident in our ability to continue offering the innovative events and programs that we believe set us apart as we look to redefine the learning journey at our campus,” said James Cook University assistant manager ICT Abdul Samathu.

“With our AI-driven solutions, we are committed to empowering the university to achieve a revitalized blended learning program for its students, all while enhancing the digital experience for everyone across its campus,” said Juniper Networks vice president Asean and Taiwan Perry Sui.

JCU Singapore now has access to automated troubleshooting, analytics, and optimisation.

The university is also exploring the upgrade of its existing Juniper switches with plans to use Juniper’s Indoor Location Services to develop a campus navigation app.

D-Link launches AI-Powered Aquila Pro M30 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systems

2024-01-16T13:31:54+11:00

Released in Australia today and based on the impression of an eagle, the new D-Link AQUILA PRO AI M30 AX3000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh System is probably the most stylish Wi-Fi router you’re likely to see.

For those interested, Aquila is a star constellation, representing an eagle (‘aquila’ is Latin for eagle).

The Aquila Pro M30 is available in either two- or thee-unit packs and is (according to D-Link) “engineered to address the three most common pain points of Wi-Fi users: coverage, speed, and usability. Featuring built-in AI technology, the AQUILA PRO M30 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systems are set to revolutionise the home networking experience.”

The device may be wall-mounted to blend with existing décor (does anyone remember the three china ducks on the wall in their parents’ lounge room?) or left on any flat surface. D-Link also reports that the router won a prestigious 2023 Good Design Award. Of course, any resemblance to Sally Field as ‘The Flying Nun’ is entirely coincidental.

The M30 includes five internal antennae to provide a wider, more spherical coverage.

To boost their environmental credentials, D-Link has manufactured the chassis from recycled plastics and 99% of the packaging print is using plant-based inks, further various power-saving modes ensure that it is in ultra-low-power modes when the household is asleep (amongst other power-saving features).

The M30 is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, so that users can easily manage their smart home.

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Using a special antenna array designed to extend a stronger Wi-Fi signal, boosting spherical coverage, and eliminating dead zones. The 2-Pack M30 Wi-Fi- Mesh System covers a home up to 465 square metres, whilst the 3-Pack M30 Wi-Fi Mesh System covers up to 650 square metres.

Powered by Wi-Fi 6 technology, the AQUILA PRO AI M30 delivers extreme speeds of up to 3Gbps, supporting 160MHz bandwidth, along with a Gigabit Internet WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports; as a result, the M30 ensures ultra-fast Wi-Fi or Wired connections, even when the entire family is online. Speaking of family, the device also includes a suite of parental controls and guest Wi-Fi domains.

The AQUILA PRO AI M30 employs innovative AI technology, including an AI Wi-Fi Optimiser, AI Mesh Optimiser and AI Traffic Optimiser to ensure superior Wi-Fi performance for all devices. The AI Wi-Fi Optimiser selects the optimal channel for each connected device, minimising interference, whilst the AI Mesh Optimiser provides fast and reliable network coverage using auto path selection and self-healing capabilities. AI Traffic Optimiser guarantees uninterrupted 4K/8K video streaming and video calling with AI-based QoS technology, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted experience.

Key features:

Eco-friendly Design: With a housing made from post-consumer recycled materials and delivered in sustainable packaging, the M30 was designed to reduce its environmental impact
Refined Aesthetics: Boasting an eagle-inspired form and a unique feather-patterned ventilation design, the M30 seamlessly complements any home décor
Rapid Connectivity: Revel in speeds up to 3Gbps with an extra antenna on the faster 5GHz band, assuring seamless video streaming, video conferencing, and smooth gaming
Uninterrupted Wi-Fi Everywhere: Enjoy robust 360° spherical coverage courtesy of a sophisticated antenna design and advanced AI technology, ensuring fast and consistent Wi-Fi in every corner of your home
Scale-as-you-need Mesh: Futureproof your network and easily expand your coverage by adding more AQUILA PRO AI devices to create a whole home Mesh network
Ultra-Fast Gigabit Wired Connections: 1 × Gigabit WAN port plus 4 × Gigabit LAN ports allow you to make fast and reliable connections to wired devices like smart TVs, gaming PCs and more
Help Protect Your Home Network: Help keep your family safer online with our premium home network security features like Advanced Parental Controls, ETSI EN 303 645 cybersecurity certification and WPA3 encryption
Simplified Setup and Management: The intuitive AQUILA PRO AI app helps guide you through setup and monitors your network to help you keep it running at peak performance

The AQUILA PRO AI M30 Wi-Fi Mesh Systems are available in Australia now from D-Link as either a 2-Pack (RRP AUD$399.95) or 3-Pack (RRP AUD$549.95), and in New Zealand (2-Pack RRP $499.99 or 3-Pack RRP $649.99) and from all authorised D-Link partners and retailers in both countries.

iTWire has requested a review unit (2-pack) and will report on our finding in a couple of weeks.

Melbourne’s major public transport hub 'transforms' iWireless audio solutions with Sennheiser

2024-01-10T00:50:33+11:00

Melbourne's major transport hub, Southern Cross Station, has undergone a “groundbreaking transformation” in wireless audio solutions in partnership with Sennheiser.

Sennheiser says Melbourne’s main train hub for regional rail (as well as a key metro rail hub) had a significant issue with communicating with its customers - the regional rail platforms are up to 300m long and are heaving with would-be travellers during rush hour - Southern Cross Station’s old paging solution was a very blunt instrument: There was no zoning – the whole station (all 16 platforms) got the same message.

Sennheiser notes that InSight Systems is Southern Cross Station’s managed services partner, so when Director of Technology, Myke Ireland, and his team were briefed on an improvement to the station’s announcements capability, “they were all ears”.

“The officers wanted to freely walk up and down anywhere along a platform and make announcements to the patrons of that platform,” describes Myke Ireland. “The problem is, Southern Cross Station is a natural Faraday cage – it’s where RF goes to die. Not only that, it’s thrumming with high voltage cables, and there’s EMF everywhere – radio and TV stations – not to mention thousands of people soaking up RF. But the sort of wireless system the station was after would need to be exceptionally robust: interference-free, and work every time someone picks up a mic,” says Ireland.

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Sennheiser says it worked with InSight Systems to assist in mapping the four regional train platforms to model the RF environment and help specify the type and quantity of antennas required and, as expected, this project would require the “big gun, the A5000-CP — the more standard half-/quarter-length ‘paddle’ antennas, normally sufficient in most other contexts, weren’t up to the extreme conditions”.

“The software modelling recommended eight of these helical antennas from Sennheiser for each platform. The antennas are placed at the PIDS (public information display structure) positions. They’re highly directional, which is perfect for the job — each platform is its own zone and intermodulation between platforms would be bad news,” notes Sennheiser.

Sennheiser says InSight Systems was aware that the ‘black dome’ form factor of the A5000-CP was hard to conceal but ‘needs must’ — performance would need to trump any aesthetic concerns - and as it happened a vibrant Reddit thread speculated on the purpose of the A5000-CP units, which were installed during the peak Covid period, and some Redditors suspected the antennas had the capacity to scan commuters’ phones for their vaccine status and, maybe, rayguns would be installed next to quickly dispatch troublemakers.

“With this, InSight Systems selected wireless microphone systems from Sennheiser’s G4 range, including ew300 handheld systems, powered antenna combiners, and receivers. No rayguns were specified (but they would say that, though, right?),” comments Sennheiser.

Sennheiser notes that InSight Systems is using Sennheiser’s Wireless Systems Manager (WSM): “WSM is Sennheiser’s professional software solution for remotely monitoring and controlling wireless systems. It displays the entire data of all controlled devices on the network at Southern Cross Station. It shows all status information and makes setting adjustments including firmware updates for one or multiple devices very easy. For example, if there’s a significant change in the RF environment – a new TV station pops up or a RF-heavy boat moors nearby – InSight Systems can remotely scan and re-stack the RF of the receivers.”

“The Sennheiser aspects of this job were a breeze,” reflects Myke Ireland. “It was so easy to get all the frequencies we wanted and to get the antennas we needed… Sennheiser made the RF design simple.”

George Sotiriadis, Sales Manager Business Communications VIC/TAS at Sennheiser adds, “When Insight Systems contacted me about this project, naturally I was excited because of the long history and prominence of the Southern Cross Train Station in Melbourne, and because I knew Sennheiser would be able to provide a robust solution that simply and effectively fit the station’s needs and unique environment. Working with Myke & the Insight team in the design phase was a pleasure and it’s gratifying to know that everyone involved with this project is so thrilled with the end result”.

Linksys unveils Wi-Fi 7 mesh system

2023-10-29T19:27:08+11:00

Home and small office connectivity company Linksys unveils its first Wi-Fi 7 mesh system home connectivity, Linksys Velop Pro 7.

Linksys describes the Velop Pro 7 as "purpose-built" for Wi-Fi 7, which is five times faster than Wi-Fi 6.

Powered by Qualcomm Networking Pro 620 Platform, the Linksys Velop Pro 7 is capable of multi-link operation that deliver link aggregation and link failover which are common in wired networks.

The Velop Pro 7 is made from 65% recycled material.

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Linksys claims the Linksys Velop Pro 7 can be set up in less than 10 minutes.

“The average household today has at least 10 connected devices. With AR and VR becoming the new normal in solutions across home security, work and entertainment, Linksys Velop Pro 7, our most advanced mesh system yet, opens the door to harness next generation technology without compromise,” said Linksys vice president of experience Jeevan Patil.

“Delivering next-gen Wi-Fi 7 features today, it is an ideal solution for home mesh systems where the growing ecosystem of mobile, compute and XR devices built on the Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 will benefit from elevated Wi-Fi 7 wireless experiences,” said Qualcomm vice president and general manager wireless infrastructure and networking Ganesh Swaminathan.

All systems come with extended three-year warranty and 24/7 worldwide customer support.

Linksys Velop Pro 7 is now available at Linksys.com, Best Buy and Amazon.

$399.99 (1-node pack) – recommended for up to 3 rooms / 1 floor (up to 3,000sq.ft)
$749.99 (2-node pack) – recommended for up to 6 rooms / 2 floors (up to 6,000sq.ft)
$999.99 (3-node pack) – recommended for up to 9 rooms / 3 floors (up to 9,000sq.ft)

Lumen Technologies to ‘revolutionise’ connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 device launch

2023-10-23T10:27:15+11:00

American telecommunications company and enterprise technology platform Lumen Technologies has launched a Wi-Fi 7 capable devices for its Quantum Fibre customers.

The launch was in collaboration with Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company MediaTek and its entity, Airoha and end-to-end managed network service using SD-WAN technology for retail stores provider Axon Network.

MediaTek’s Filogic, a wireless networking SoC (systems-on-a-chip) designed for routers, repeaters, access points, and mesh networking devices, and Airoha 10G-PON platform power the device so customers benefit from faster speeds, lower latency, higher capacity, reliability, and security.

Lumen Technologies did not reveal more details. The device is poised to launch in early 2024.

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Lumen Technologies president mass markets Maxine Moreau said the launch of Wi-Fi 7 is aligned with the company’s step to offer a secure Wi-Fi service in the industry.

Moreau added securing a reliable connection is a priority.

"This investment will help enable Lumen to innovate rapidly in the Wi-Fi space and position itself as a leader in the wireless market," said Moreau. "We look forward to launching the Wi-Fi 7-capable device in select markets in the fourth quarter of 2023 and roll it out nationwide in early 2024."

EE router to showcase Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 platform

2023-09-25T20:15:52+10:00

British provider EE has partnered with semiconductor company Qualcomm to roll out an in-home hardware that in the future will feature Qualcomm Wi-Fi 7 platforms as part of its ongoing plans to deliver home connectivity to consumers across the UK.

Wi-Fi 7 features extra 6GHz channel with 320 MHz channel bandwidth allowing much broader capacity (Wi-Fi 6E is 160MHz), multi link operation which allows data to be sent over multiple bands simultaneously, and 4K QAM, which offers up to 20% increase in peak data transmission performance.

This will provide multi-gigabit Wi-Fi to support bandwidth activities in the future.

The first EE Wi-Fi 7 router will be launched in 2024.

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“We have a long history of collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies to create innovation in mobile for consumers - so we’re delighted to evolve this strategic collaboration into our in-home products for the first time. EE broadband customers will be among the first globally to benefit from access to a certified next-gen Wi-Fi 7 home hub - providing them with the cutting-edge of innovation in connectivity,” said EE CEO Marc Allera.

“Expanding our collaboration beyond 5G to include our leading-edge Wi-Fi 7 platform is further evidence of our mutual and long-term commitment to transforming the ways UK consumers work, learn, connect and are entertained,” said Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.

Further detail on EE’s Wi-Fi 7 next-gen home broadband Smart Hub will be announced closer to launch.