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WiFi Buying Guide
Five things worth evaluating before you sign a WiFi contract, in the order they actually matter.
Start with deployment mode, not features
Before comparing feature lists, decide whether you need fully managed SaaS, a self-hosted VM for data residency, or on-premises hardware. This one decision eliminates most vendors before you look at anything else.
Coverage plans should account for your worst room, not your average one
A network sized for average usage fails exactly when it matters — during move-in week, a sold-out show, or a holiday rush. Plan capacity around peak load, not typical load.
Separate what's hardware from what's software
Access points are physical and need replacing eventually. The controller, RADIUS, NAC, and analytics running behind them are software and should be priced and upgraded independently of the hardware refresh cycle.
Ask what happens to guest data
Any captive portal captures some data at login. Understand where that data lives, how long it's retained, and whether the vendor's consent tooling matches your regulatory requirements before you sign anything.
Total cost includes support, not just the subscription
A lower per-site price with no support responsiveness costs more than a slightly higher price with a real SLA the first time something breaks during a busy weekend.