In the fifth of the 7-part series of Enterprise Wi-Fi Myths, Senior Project Engineer and Wi-Fi specialist Mark Rigby explores whether it’s best practice to simply use the same location for an AP when refreshing a network.

Myth 5 of 7: It’s fine to just put a new AP where the last one was

The myth that “It’s fine to just put a new access point (AP) where the last one was” is based on the assumption that a simple replacement will automatically result in improved or maintained network performance. However, Wi-Fi technology, network environments, and device needs change over time, making a “drop-in replacement” approach often ineffective or even detrimental. Here we understand more about the external factors will effect the location of an AP.

Different APs Have Different Coverage Patterns

Misconception: A new AP will provide the same or better coverage as the old one if installed in the same location.

Reality: Different access points have different antenna configurations, signal patterns, and power outputs, which means their coverage areas may vary significantly. Newer APs might have directional antennas, beamforming, or other features that optimise signal delivery in specific directions, unlike older APs which may have had more omnidirectional antennas.

Impact: Placing a new AP in the same spot as the old one could result in coverage gaps or overlap, leading to dead zones, poor signal quality, or excessive interference. An AP survey should be conducted to determine the optimal placement based on the specific AP model’s coverage characteristics.

New APs Have Different Frequency Capabilities

Misconception: The new AP will perform the same as the old one in the same location.

Reality: Newer APs will likely support tri-band (adding 6 GHz) operation, whereas older APs might have only supported dual or single band. Different frequency bands behave differently—2.4 GHz signals travel further but are more prone to interference, while 5 GHz and 6 GHz signals offer higher speeds but shorter range.

Impact: Installing a new AP without adjusting its location can lead to imbalanced coverage. For instance, placing a dual-band AP where a single-band AP was might result in 5 GHz coverage gaps due to its shorter range. To ensure both bands are utilised optimally, the AP placement should be reconsidered based on the specific frequency bands in use.

Changes in User Density and Device Usage

Misconception: The number of users and the space hasn’t changed significantly, so the AP placement is still ideal.

Reality: The number of devices per user has increased over the years due to smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, and wearables. Additionally, applications like video conferencing, cloud services, and streaming consume much more bandwidth than they did when the old AP was installed. Adding collaboration pods, additional meeting rooms, soundproofing all will contribute to changes in the wireless propagation.

Impact: A higher density of devices and greater bandwidth demand require careful placement and possibly more APs to prevent congestion. Placing a new AP where the old one was may not distribute the load effectively across users and devices, resulting in slow speeds and overloaded access points. The network might need more APs or better placement to handle the increased device density and bandwidth demands.

New AP Features Might Go Unused

Misconception: Installing the new AP in the same spot will automatically yield better performance due to newer technology.

Reality: New APs often come with advanced features like beamforming, MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input Multiple Output), or band steering, but these features may not function optimally if the AP is placed in the wrong location. These technologies require strategic placement to work as intended, especially in areas where devices are moving frequently or densely concentrated. Also remember that both client and AP need to support a feature for it to be used on the wireless network.

Impact: Poor placement can limit the effectiveness of the new AP’s advanced features, leading to underperformance. For instance, beamforming may not reach its potential if the AP is placed in a suboptimal location, wasting the benefits of the new technology. A proper site survey can ensure the new AP is positioned to make the most of its modern capabilities.

Increased Wi-Fi Interference from Neighbours

Misconception: Wi-Fi interference hasn’t changed much, so the old AP location will still be fine.

Reality: The Wi-Fi landscape has become much more congested over the years. More businesses, homes, and public spaces are deploying wireless networks, creating more interference from neighbouring networks, especially in urban or densely populated areas.

Impact: The old AP location may now be subject to channel overlap and interference from nearby networks that didn’t exist before. Simply installing the new AP in the same spot without conducting a Wi-Fi spectrum assessment can lead to channel congestion, dropped connections, and poor performance. A new AP installation should include selecting the right channels or enabling features like dynamic channel assignment to avoid interference.

Incorrectly installed APs

Misconception: Installing the AP like a clock on a wall, above the ceiling or close to other objects won’t affect the Wi-Fi experience. It’s what they did last time.

Reality: Putting a physical barrier close to an AP can cause significant detrimental effects, especially if the barrier causes scattering of signal or reflection. Ceiling fascia’s often hide a substantial amount of plant equipment, all of which tends to diminish the wireless signal. Signal degradation happens the most within the first few metres of an AP. Placing a standard omnidirectional AP on the wall can cause signal propagation to be directed in the wrong plane thus creating signal gaps and irregular roaming patterns.

Impact: Physical barriers and improper installation all effect signal propagation and can cause blackspots, retransmissions and poor user experience. Changing AP’s like for like when installed in this way is less likely to return improvements in the network quality. A Wi-Fi survey should be conducted to determine the best placement based on the current layout and building materials.

AP Placement Can Impact Roaming and Handoff Efficiency

Misconception: Replacing an AP in the same location will have no impact on network performance or user experience.

Reality: Improper placement of new APs can affect how well devices roam between access points. Flexible work environments now require users to be able to move throughout the workspace whilst conducting a call without the any perceived experience detriment. Legacy office environments however tended to suit a more static user approach.

Impact: If APs are not placed carefully, users may experience slow roaming, dropped connections, or increased latency as their devices struggle to transition between APs. Proper placement ensures efficient Wi-Fi roaming and seamless handoffs, especially in high-mobility environments.

Conclusion: Simply Replacing an AP Isn’t Always Enough

The idea that it’s fine to just put a new AP where the old one was overlooks many critical factors that influence Wi-Fi performance. Wi-Fi technology, building environments, and device usage have evolved, making it necessary to reconsider AP placement for optimal performance. To maximise the benefits of new APs and prevent network issues, organisations should:
Taking a strategic approach ensures that new access points deliver better coverage, higher speeds, and improved user experiences, rather than simply being a drop-in replacement for old equipment.