[OPLIN 4cast] OPLIN 4cast #467: Wi-Fi interference

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OPLIN 4cast #467: Wi-Fi interference
December 9th, 2015

[image: white noise] At the beginning of December, the British
telecommunications regulator Ofcom created a lot of attention in the media
<http://www.itp.net/605695-fairy-lights-interfering-with-wifi> when it
released a warning that holiday lights could interfere with Wi-Fi
performance. Wi-Fi performance in libraries is always a concern, not just
during the holidays, with everything from microwave ovens to aluminum
blinds potentially causing problems. The recent articles linked below might
give you some ideas of where to look if you suspect a Wi-Fi interference
problem.

   - 7 WiFi killers that may surprise you
   <http://www.networkcomputing.com/wireless-infrastructure/7-wifi-killers-that-may-surprise-you/d/d-id/1323396>
   (Network Computing | Lee Badman) "WiFi works in the unlicensed 2.4-GHz and
   5-GHz frequency ranges. There are many other devices that also leverage the
   fact that you can transmit in these spectrums without expensive and
   complicated licensing requirements. In addition, all the wireless devices
   that tend to step on each other are required to tolerate interference,
   unless you can change their channel to a non-polluted one within their
   operational profiles. In other words, interference is a fact of life under
   the current rules."
   - How does wireless Internet interference happen?
   <https://www.midco.com/Support/Internet/performancespeed/how-does-wireless-internet-interference-happen/>
   (Midcontinent Communications) "Today's world is full of the Internet of
   Things - and it's only growing as our homes become filled with an
   increasing number of devices that connect to the Internet, mostly
   wirelessly. Examples of devices that can cause wireless interference
   include laptops, phones, tablets, streaming media players, TVs, Blu Ray
   players, printers, exercise equipment, sound bars, thermostats,
   refrigerators, bathroom scales, security cameras, cordless phones,
   microwave ovens and more."
   - Wi-Fi and non-Wi-Fi interference examples
   <https://support.metageek.com/hc/en-us/articles/200628894-Wi-Fi-and-non-Wi-Fi-Interference-Examples>
   (MetaGeek | Taylor Bell) "Bluetooth devices are active in the 2.4 GHz band.
   These devices are frequency hoppers that impact all channels, so you can't
   move your Wi-Fi to avoid their transmissions. However, Bluetooth devices
   are relatively low-powered and hop very quickly, and will have limited
   impact on Wi-Fi devices. It isn't until many Bluetooth devices are active
   simultaneously that you are likely to see problems with your Wi-Fi."
   - Why LTE-U is the next great interference threat to Wi-Fi
   <http://boundless.aerohive.com/experts/why-lteu-is-the-next-great-interference-threat-to-wifi.html>
   (Aerohive Networks | Craig Mathias) "Perhaps the biggest threat now on the
   horizon for Wi-Fi is a form of the cellular technology LTE (often called
   "4G") that actually operates on the unlicensed bands. It's called, for that
   reason, LTE-U
   <http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lteu-forum-explores-technical-possibilities-of-lte-in-unlicensed-spectrum-300043401.html>,
   but is more formally known as LAA-LTE, and is designed to be deployed
   indoors just like Wi-Fi. But LTE-U isn't Wi-Fi; it's in fact incompatible
   to the point the LTE-U can essentially lock out Wi-Fi entirely. It does
   this by using a shorter listen-before-talk period than Wi-Fi specifies, so
   LTE-U will always grab free airwaves ahead of Wi-Fi."

*Articles from Ohio Web Library <http://ohioweblibrary.org>:*

   - LTE-U steamrolls into WiFi.
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=103115046&site=ehost-live>
   (*Broadcasting & Cable*, 6/8/2015, p.16 | Leslie Ellis)
   - Parties renew disagreements over LTE-U/LAA impacts.
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=108546257&site=ehost-live>
   (*Telecommunications Reports*, 7/1/2015, p.41-45 | Paul Kirby)
   - Expanding mobile capacity: The evolution to LTE-U and LAA.
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=110930532&site=ehost-live>
   (*Microwave Journal*, 2015 Supplement, p.16-20 | Andreas Roessler)

------------------------------
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