How to Set up Business Wi-Fi

What is business Wi-Fi, and why do you need it?

Business Wi-Fi is a networking technology that allows devices like smartphones, laptops, security cameras and printers to access the internet through a wireless router. 

The biggest differences between residential and business-grade Wi-Fi networks are:

• Advanced security features like strong encryption
• Greater user capacity
• A more robust underlying broadband connection
• Priority customer services

According to Statista, more than 310 million Americans have a smartphone. Offering fast, reliable Wi-Fi service to your team and visitors to your business premises can help you increase employee productivity and improve customer satisfaction and sales. 

How to set up a Wi-Fi network for your business

Setting up a Wi-Fi network for your business is fairly straightforward. You need a broadband business internet connection, hardware and a way to manage network security. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your small business Wi-Fi service up and running quickly.

1. Choose a Wi-Fi service provider.

Searching for the best Wi-Fi service provider for your network begins with determining which wireless internet access providers can service your premises. 

A location-based search online should provide you with a list of candidates. All major telecommunications companies – such as Verizon, AT&T and Spectrum – have competitive products and services that largely differ by market and the size of your business.

If you’re signing up for a new business broadband service plan, pay close attention to the vendor’s available internet speeds, pricing, contract terms and security measures. 

If you already have cable internet, satellite internet or fiber-optic internet, the next step is purchasing the right equipment.

2. Purchase the right equipment.

You need an Ethernet cable to connect your PC to your business internet provider. If you want co-workers and visitors to be able to access your connection, you’ll need a wireless router. 

Be aware that a wireless network connection is inherently slower than a wired connection. The signal is prone to interference or degradation over distance and through your building’s windows, walls and doors. If your premises are large, you can improve signal strength and expand the coverage area by investing in a few Wi-Fi repeaters or extenders.

You may be able to lease or purchase preconfigured equipment from your internet service provider. This is the most practical option for small businesses wanting to offer wireless access that don’t have in-house dedicated IT staff. 

If you’d prefer to set up your Wi-Fi connection, you’ll need to understand specific terms and details, including radio bands, wireless protocols and other features. 

Radio bands

The best Wi-Fi adapters feature at least two radio bands: 

• 2.4GHz: This lower frequency can travel through walls and other signal obstructions well, making it the better option for longer ranges. However, it’s more prone to network congestion because it’s the frequency that most wireless access points and devices use.
• 5GHz: This higher frequency does not penetrate materials particularly well but does transfer data at much higher speeds. If your premises are relatively open-plan and free of objects and barriers that can block the signal, this may be better for handling more demanding devices and tasks. It also copes better with a higher number of Wi-Fi devices linking to it.

Wireless protocols

You also need to consider the range of wireless protocols. 

Wireless networks use various 802.11 protocol standards (ax, ac, n, g, a, and b) to send and receive data through different frequencies with different speeds and limitations. The latest standard is IEEE 802.11ax, released in 2021. This standard:

• Offers high speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps and dual-band capabilities on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
• Is backward compatible with previous Wi-Fi technologies
• Employs OFDMA technology to better support multiple devices on the network
• Incorporates MIMO technology capable of sending and receiving up to eight independent Wi-Fi signal streams through multiple antennas

If you’re purchasing a router for a small or midsize business, 802.11ax offers all the performance and features you’ll need; this is the protocol technical experts recommend the most.

Additional features

Other useful features to consider when shopping for your business Wi-Fi router include wired LAN inputs, USB ports, removable antennas, guest-network functionality and quality of service (QoS) options that allow you to prioritize competing devices as you see fit.

3. Consider managed networks.

Customers always appreciate accessible Wi-Fi. However, without proper security measures, you may inadvertently put them at a greater risk of data theft and manipulation. Cybersecurity is complicated, and many businesses struggle with it. For this reason, it is advised to opt for a business Wi-Fi provider that offers cloud-based managed network services.

Beyond offering robust cybersecurity solutions for SMB customers, managed network providers also help with critical tasks like network monitoring, data management and installing software patches. They have the technological expertise and dedicated resources to let you focus on your strategic goals with peace of mind about your network’s performance and security.

Business Wi-Fi best practices

Regardless of the size of your business or the number of devices using your Wi-Fi service, everyone should follow several best practices.

Security

Business security practices extend to your Wi-Fi network. Pay close attention to the following: 

• Change the SSID. During network setup with a new router, you should always change the name of the default service set identifier, or SSID. SSIDs are the names you see broadcasting when you attempt to connect to a new network in a densely populated area. The default name could provide hackers with valuable information about your identity and your network hardware. 
• Encrypt your Wi-Fi network. You should also encrypt your network with Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) or better.
• Create a strong password. Weak passwords are also an area of vulnerability – something guessable like “Companyname2023!” won’t be secure enough. When creating a password, use a combination of symbols, numbers, and lowercase and uppercase letters. The more unpredictable your password, the stronger it is and the less likely it is to be breached.

Performance

As you allow more users and devices to connect to your network, keep an eye on its overall performance. If you notice performance issues, consider the following steps: 

• Assign separate radio bands. If your network performance is struggling, consider assigning separate radio bands to different types of wireless devices. For example, you could use the 2.4GHz band as your guest access point and connect to your office printers and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This would completely free up your 5GHz band so that you and your co-workers have faster access and a more stable VoIP connection.
• Test your network range. You could also test the range of your network and try switching from 5GHz to 2.4GHz as you move away from your router. 
• Consider a wireless range extender. If you’re not getting a strong internet connection in certain areas of the office on one or both frequencies, consider installing a wireless range extender. For the best performance, pair a Wi-Fi range extender with a Wi-Fi router from the same manufacturer. However, most extenders can provide only about 50 percent of your router’s speed.

Guest access

If you intend to offer guests access to your Wi-Fi network, you can set up a specific customer landing page. 

Use the landing page to promote your special offers and showcase your brand, products and services. This is also a great opportunity to ask them to join your email marketing newsletter list.

To limit access only to paying customers, email them the Wi-Fi network name and password or add your login details to your receipts. Remember to update your password regularly. These measures boost security while limiting access and ensuring paying customers get the best performance online.

The best business Wi-Fi providers

The best business internet service providers help companies and their employees and guests connect quickly and securely to the internet. The following providers are excellent options for your business Wi-Fi service. 

• AT&T: AT&T’s business internet plans provide dedicated internet and fiber clients with the same speeds for uploading and downloading – a rarity in the industry. The vendor’s security features include 24/7 network monitoring, cyber threat analysis and tools that block malicious threats. To learn more, read our comprehensive AT&T Business internet review.
• Comcast: Comcast’s business services offer 99.9 percent reliability, fiber download speeds up to 1.25Gbps, dedicated internet plans, wireless backup and more. Read our detailed Comcast Business internet review for more information.
• Spectrum: Spectrum offers affordable business internet plans on flexible month-to-month contracts. It offers secure business Wi-Fi, a wireless internet backup option, online security solutions and much more. Our Spectrum Business Internet review has more details on features and pricing.
• Verizon: Verizon provides fast, dedicated internet connections and impressive 5G wireless speeds. Its 5G Business Internet and LTE Business Internet services impressed us. Visit our in-depth Verizon Business Internet review for pricing and other specs. 

Jeff Hale contributed to this article.