Top 5 WiFi Network Predictions for 2017

We have seen WiFi undergo rapid changes, and in 2017, we will see more new milestones and developments in the WiFi field with the development of the Internet of Things, new standards, cloud-managed WiFi and other trends. Based on discussions with partners, customers and industry experts, here are our 2017 WiFi predictions:

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1. Integrate IoT security

The Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to reach 10 billion devices by 2020. This rapid growth will continue to drive high-density demands on networks, including WiFi. We are approaching a time when the majority of global Internet traffic will begin or end on WiFi.

In recent years, it has been difficult to connect the growing number of IoT devices to WiFi because they lack keyboards and browsers. As a result, vendors will require IoT networking and security as part of their WiFi management framework. This ensures that devices can only connect to the network through pre-designed ports and protocols, which can prevent the DDoS attacks we saw this year. Based on these features, the next year will continue to improve, and IoT devices will lead us into a world of all WiFi.

2. Cloud hosting gains momentum

Cloud computing brings convenience to millions of users, which also makes it imperative for enterprises to ensure that WiFi is ubiquitous, reliable and secure. At the same time, since many enterprises need to rely on "always online/always connected" connections to cloud computing, WiFi networks must not only be secure, but also have 24/7 monitoring and self-healing capabilities. It must further provide a controlled development environment, reduce the time to market for new features, optimize performance, and eliminate the costs of backup and IT upgrades.

3. WiFi beats LTE

We are seeing a clearing of the playing field between LTE and WiFi in the 5GHz band. Despite changes in data costs, LTE adoption remains limited, deployment is expensive, and is typically charged on a per-byte basis. WiFi, on the other hand, is cheaper to deploy, offers faster operating speeds, and, in almost all cases, is free to the end user. While LTE works well outside, it quickly fails when users enter a building. WiFi can be designed to provide a consistent connectivity experience inside spaces.

To avoid regulatory intervention in the LTE/WiFi issue, the U.S. needs to adopt a simple coexistence protocol, very similar to the one used successfully in Europe: Listen Before Talk (LBT). The LBT protocol in the IEEE 802.11 standard allows many devices to use the same radio channel without pre-coordination.

4. 802.11ax and 802.11ad

While development work continues outside of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz ISM bands, the majority of devices and networks will continue to use these two bands for the next few years, with increased use of the 5GHz band. Within this band, the next big improvement is 802.11ax, which will provide higher speeds and greater spectral efficiency than 802.11ac.

Now, 802.11ad, operating in the 60GHz ISM band, will be the emerging technology of 2017. Think of it as Bluetooth on steroids: it can do for video/monitor connections, docking stations, and mobile device connections what Bluetooth does for audio connections: providing short-range (less than 10 meters) wireless connectivity.

But the most critical aspect of standards is high-quality security for networks and devices. We need standards that make it easier to encrypt and authenticate wireless networks, because most of the time, a lot of our business and personal data is transmitted over WiFi without being automatically protected.

Biometrics could be the future of authentication. We all have unique physical identifiers, such as fingerprints, irises, and other personal characteristics. Emerging technologies can leverage one or more physical attributes to authenticate access to a network. In the coming years, the concept of passwords could become a thing of the past.

5. Connection: A basic human need

WiFi can now even be included in Maslow's hierarchy of basic human needs. Along with clean water, food, and shelter, Internet connectivity is now considered a basic need for many people. Just as everyone should have access to life's basic needs, our society should ensure that this need is met. First, providers must prioritize addressing density, security, and simplicity. For example, users will soon be able to automatically connect to any public WiFi network, enabling a truly global WiFi network.

This goal of connection is a basic human desire. Whether for good or bad, it is the development trend and work focus of the entire world.