Employee Network Access Morphs

Change is coming to how energy companies empower their mobile workforce so they access enterprise networks. The rise of standards is creating demand for new equipment. However, the emerging Wi-Fi standards splintered, so the path from the old to the new is murky.

Utilities have been offering more employees remote work options since the pandemic. Consequently, global Wi-Fi Customer-Premises Equipment (CPE) shipments are expected to rise from 266.9 million in 2022 to 397.4 million in 2028. a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.9%, according to ABI Research, a global technology intelligence firm.

A Schism Arises

Much of this growth will be driven by new Wi-Fi CPE product types, like Wi-Fi Mesh and new Wi-Fi standards. While a faster speed, more functional Wi-Fi standard has been taking shape, a few potential bumps have already formed.

Finding bandwidth for the high speeds has been problematic. The latest standard relies on new spectrum, 6 GHz.  However, suppliers must create new compliance devices, a process that will take time, probably years.

Rather than wait, leading Wi-Fi 7 equipment vendors are creating solutions that support legacy 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrums only. The emergence of two variants of Wi-Fi 7 equipment, one with and one without 6 GHz compatibility, may confuse energy companies and complicate monitoring and trouble shooting.

A change is occurring with mobile access equipment. Energy companies are migrating to new remote worker devices, but obstacles are arising. These systems offer more capabilities, but device choices split rather than coalesced.