5g vs wifi 6 technology

5G or WiFi 6? Whose Decision is it Anyway?

The current conversation around 5G and WiFi 6 tends to focus on the competition between the two. Putting specific technology aside, it’s important to remember that the venue and the user have the final say. Captive portals, analytics, marketing – WiFi has evolved through the years with value to the venue in mind. At the same time, users have come to expect (and demand) a simple and accessible experience everywhere they go.

WiFi is not only the de facto standard today, but it will continue to be the most economical and valuable technology to venue owners for the foreseeable future. Why? Venue owners (think shopping plazas, airports, stadiums, restaurants, hospitals) have the ability to completely own the WiFi experience and use it to their business advantage. Today, tools are available to use WiFi to brand the login experience, gather intelligence, analyze trends, and deliver marketing messages. With this in mind, recognize that as WiFi 6 demands increase, technology spending will continue to shift from the IT budget to the marketing budget.

“But what about the end user?” I hear you saying. The argument is: If guests have to log in, share their personal data, and watch an ad, why wouldn’t they just switch off WiFi and use the available cell network?

For starters, your cell coverage is not guaranteed. Especially when you’re inside a large, concrete building (I live in Florida and buildings are hurricane-proof bunkers!) Much of rural America still has poor cell coverage or slow data speeds. Most international travelers are still subject to significant roaming fees or data limits.

Also, there are still a lot of people with limited data plans. It’s unrealistic to assume that they’ll use their cellular data versus a free WiFi option. Most cellular data plans have limits – even though the general perception is “unlimited.” Throttling limits apply to most plans, meaning when a user reaches a data cap their data rate will be reduced to 3G speeds. If relying on a cellular plan alone, most heavy data users (like millennials), will be throttled by their 10th day after the billing cycle reset. How would you like to have dial-up speeds for what you do on the Internet today?

I agree that customer experience is critical here. This is why venues need to understand the balance between using the tools available to them while also providing a non-intrusive guest experience. Most people have no issue with a reasonable trade-off: consent and view an ad or share an email address in exchange for free WiFi access.

Venues already understand the benefits of WiFi. For 2 decades, the technology has been ready and available. With the introduction of WiFi 6, WiFi has increased value, even with the eventual emergence of 5G. At the end of the day, the venue makes the final decision. It’s our job to make sure they understand the value of all available technologies.

Originally posted by Todd Myers on LinkedIn.

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Custom Splash Page Builder

A custom splash page helps give a captive portal the branded look it needs to stand out from the crowd and give guests the peace of mind they’re accessing the network associated with the venue they’re visiting.

WiFi Payments and Vouchers

Offer premium guest WiFi access and promote WiFi upgrades with comprehensive payment and voucher modules. Payments can be used to offer guests varying speeds of WiFi access, while vouchers are great for venues that want to utilize a captive portal that also requires a voucher code for WiFi access.
WiFi payments and vouchers

Guest Plans

Venues can now offer multiple levels of guest WiFi access with our Guest Plan feature. Guest Plans are defined by specific upload and download speeds and session time limits. Brick-and-mortar businesses can offer guest WiFi access and promote WiFi upgrades with our new payment and voucher modules.

Versatile Form Builder

Create and display custom guest surveys on any splash page of your guest flow. Collect feedback and gather additional data points to create smarter marketing.

Enhanced Guest Flow

Guest flow gives venues complete control over the guest WiFi experience. Guest flows help keep a visually pleasing captive portal experience by preventing clutter of multiple marketing assets. Keep it simple, or turn your WiFi into a digital billboard.
WiFi splash page with survey social login

Integrated Ad Spaces

Ad Space Integrations is a powerful feature for venues who want to promote products, deals and specials, online shopping, loyalty programs and other signups, or third-party advertisers all on a pre-authenticated Splash Page.

Increase impressions and clicks for advertising opportunities by showcasing AdSpaces before requiring a guest to connect to WiFi.

Have an app that needs more downloads? The URL redirect function will navigate guests to the app store specific to their device as soon as they click on the advertisement/call-to-action button.

No more will guests have to wait to connect to WiFi to reach interactive ads. Ad Space Integrations takes Ads4WiFi smart advertising tools and places it our smart marketing environment powered by Marketing4WiFi.

Hotspot Scheduler

Determine the specific days and times that WiFi is available to guests. Hotspot Scheduler offers smarter WiFi control by allowing venues to run their guest WiFi during business hours.