Ethernet vs wifi: which one is better for your office?
No matter which industry you’re in, having a strong and reliable network setup is crucial for enabling research, communication, collaboration and productivity amongst your team.
Just twenty years ago, being able to connect to the internet through the open air was a novel new technology. Now, Wi-Fi and wireless networking has become widely adopted amongst business owners and home consumers.
But good old-fashioned Ethernet technology is still alive and kicking in 2021; with plenty of organisations still relying on wired networking to keep their daily operations running.
If you’re planning your first office networking installation, or perhaps thinking of migrating from your current setup, which option is better: wired or wireless networking?
Understanding Ethernet & Wi-Fi terminology
- Ethernet: the wired networking technology that enables computers/servers to connect to each other and to the wider internet via physical cables.
- Wi-Fi: the wireless networking technology which uses radio signals to connect devices to the net and to each other.
- Both these technologies are capable of broadband network applications; in other words, they can transfer lots of data quickly.
However, just to make things extra confusing, internet service provider companies often use the same terms to describe their different internet packages:
- Broadband and Wi-Fi packages are typically aimed at domestic customers. These packages tend to deliver internet access to customers across a network which is shared with other customers, so your connection speed and reliability can fluctuate depending on how many other customers are online at the same time.
- Ethernet packages are typically aimed at business customers. These packages usually offer an exclusive connection between the provider and the customer; so they’re generally faster and more reliable. (They also offer similar download and upload speeds, while broadband packages tend to prioritise download speeds.)
To keep things simple, we’ll be focusing purely on wired (Ethernet) and wireless (Wi-Fi) networking technology, rather than the different packages offered by ISPs.
Why Ethernet is better than Wi-Fi ….
It’s faster than wireless
If you’ve read our article on Ethernet cable categories, you’ll know the kinds of low latency and high bandwidth you can achieve with a wired Ethernet connection.
This really matters when it comes to your office’s local network. Your maximum internet speed is ultimately limited by your internet provider, and modern Wi-Fi can offer a fast-enough internet connection for most offices; but if you’re regularly transferring large files between computers/servers within your own premises, wireless networking simply can’t compare with Ethernet speeds.
It’s more reliable than wireless
Wireless networking technology is susceptible to interference from a variety of sources; from other nearby Wi-Fi networks and electrical devices, to wall and floor materials that absorb signals, or even simply the distances between devices and routers.
Dropped Wi-Fi connections can bring productivity across your office to a dead stop; and frequent network downtime can quickly eat into your company’s profits. That’s not the case with Ethernet, which is far more stable and can deliver a connection over longer distances.
It’s more secure than wireless
Many businesses severely underestimate the potential impact of a data breach. The wireless nature of Wi-Fi makes it more vulnerable to remote attacks; and even with encryption protection, hackers can still potentially gain access to your network and steal sensitive data from your organisation without even stepping foot inside your office.
It’s much harder to break into an Ethernet network, since you’ll need to physically plug your device into the network via cables in order to access it.
It lets you power devices too
Ethernet cables are capable of carrying more than just data. Cat5e or later cable categories can also work as electricity cables, providing power to devices such as security cameras and ‘voice over internet protocol’ phones while also transferring data simultaneously.
…and why Wi-Fi is better than Ethernet!
It provides more convenient access than wired
As long as your wi-fi router has the range to cover your entire work premises, your team can connect to the network – and stay connected – wherever they are.
This can be hugely important for maintaining mobility and productivity amongst your team; particularly if your employees spend their work days darting between different departments of your company and different areas of your work premises.
For some businesses (such as retail locations), it’s also important to offer easy internet access to visiting clients, partners and/or customers. Wi-Fi allows them to quickly connect from their laptops and phones, with no cumbersome cables.
It can be cheaper and easier to install than wired
Setting up an Ethernet network is no easy feat; it usually means running a whole mess of expensive cables through walls, under floors and inside ceiling cavities. There might also be places within your site where running cable is simply impractical; particularly if your site is split across multiple buildings.
Wi-Fi is generally a lot cheaper to install; not to mention far less intrusive to your work schedule. It’s often simply a case of plugging a few routers in, configuring your security settings, and you’re good to go.
It’s more flexible and easier to maintain than wired
The bigger your organisation and the more devices which are connected to your network, the more Ethernet connections and equipment you’ll need.
This not only means more installation costs in the short term, but potentially more maintenance and downtime costs to keep it all running, as components naturally wear out or suffer accidental damage throughout your network’s lifetime.
Wireless networks are relatively easy to maintain by comparison, since they use far less physical components. Most routers can support hundreds of devices; you won’t need to install any new physical connections to add new devices to your network; and if you do need to upgrade your network for better coverage across your site, you can simply swap out your router or add a new extender.
Wired vs wireless: which one is right for you?
If your daily business operations are particularly data-hungry, or you’re particularly concerned about the security of your network, then a wired Ethernet setup is your best option.
However, you’ll be trading performance, security and stability for convenience, flexibility and generally lower running costs. If the latter three are more important for your organisation, a wireless Wi-Fi setup is the way to go.
Of course, you can have a hybrid setup that provides the best of both worlds. For example, many hospitality and retail sites use a wired setup for their own operations as well as a wireless setup to provide internet access to customers and guests.
However, keep in mind that wired/wireless hybrid networking can be more expensive and time-consuming to plan, install, configure and maintain. You’ll need to ensure your wired and wireless equipment is compatible, and you’ll need to ensure the security configuration of each system doesn’t hamper the security of the other.
In any case, it’s always best to sit down with an IT specialist before committing to a big installation or migration project. They can help you identify your organisation’s current and future networking needs, so you can work out the best setup to drive your business forward.
JC Electrical UK are experts in designing and installing network cabling and wireless networking solutions for all kinds of commercial spaces in London. For more information on how we can help you, call us on 0208 839 9561 or email info@jcelectric.co.uk today.
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