Wireless Site Survey & Wi-Fi Optimization Assessment

Wireless Network Assessment and Coverage Improvement Strategy for a Maryland Senior Living Community

Identifying the Root Causes of Wireless Performance Challenges

This Maryland senior living community was experiencing wireless network performance issues across key areas of its campus. Residents, staff, and guests relied on Wi-Fi connectivity for communication, healthcare applications, entertainment, and daily operations, making reliable wireless coverage essential to the overall user experience. However, the organization’s IT team lacked comprehensive visibility into the current state of the wireless environment and needed a clear strategy for improving performance, coverage, and long-term network reliability.

To help address these challenges, Data Networks conducted a comprehensive wireless site survey of the living community’s two major campus facilities. The engagement included a passive wireless site survey covering up to 450,000 square feet of indoor space, along with an assessment of outdoor wireless coverage in the common quad area adjacent to the residential buildings.

Prior to the onsite assessment, Data Networks reviewed the existing Meraki wireless architecture, analyzed floor plans, gathered building construction information, and prepared specialized wireless survey tools to collect detailed radio frequency (RF) data throughout the campus environment.

Wireless Site Survey Reveals Coverage and Interference Issues

During the wireless site survey, Data Networks collected extensive data regarding signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), channel interference, bandwidth availability, expected data rates, and access point performance. The findings were evaluated against industry-recognized Ekahau wireless design best practices to identify areas where the network was failing to meet recommended performance thresholds.

The survey revealed that primary signal strength generally met best-practice recommendations within approximately 50 feet of each access point. However, several issues were impacting overall wireless performance. Secondary coverage on the 5 GHz band was insufficient throughout much of the campus, resulting in limited roaming capabilities and reduced redundancy. In many areas, only a single access point was available to client devices, increasing the risk of connectivity issues and service interruptions.

The assessment also identified significant channel interference across both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. Numerous rogue and neighboring wireless devices were contributing to RF congestion, particularly throughout residential wings and common areas. While signal-to-noise ratios generally exceeded recommended levels where signal strength was adequate, interference and channel overlap reduced overall network efficiency and wireless performance.

Additionally, Data Networks identified a substantial number of aging Meraki access points approaching or exceeding manufacturer end-of-support milestones. More than 100 deployed access points— including Meraki MR32, MR34, and MR72 models— were either no longer supported or nearing end-of-life status, creating potential operational and security concerns for the organization.

Delivering a Strategic Roadmap for Wi-Fi Optimization

Based on the findings of the wireless site survey, Data Networks developed a detailed remediation strategy designed to improve wireless coverage, roaming performance, and overall network reliability.

One of the most significant recommendations involved relocating access points within the residential apartment buildings. Existing access points were primarily installed in hallways, while the majority of wireless usage occurred inside individual residences. Data Networks recommended moving access points closer to resident living spaces and installing dual CAT6A cabling to support higher throughput and improved user experiences.

Additional recommendations included replacing all end-of-support access points, increasing Minimum Basic Rates (MBR) to reduce network overhead and improve client behavior, adjusting channel widths to minimize contention, and implementing a more effective channel plan to reduce interference. Data Networks also recommended identifying and removing rogue wireless devices contributing to RF congestion and security risks throughout the campus.

To improve coverage and roaming performance, the report advised increasing access point transmit power where appropriate, validating that all access points were functioning properly, and deploying additional access points in areas where secondary coverage was insufficient. These improvements would help strengthen signal quality, increase redundancy, and support seamless roaming between access points.

By combining detailed RF analysis with actionable recommendations, Data Networks provided the senior living community with a comprehensive wireless optimization roadmap. The resulting assessment enabled the organization to make informed infrastructure decisions, improve wireless reliability for residents and staff, and establish a stronger foundation for future connectivity needs across the campus.

Tags: commercial, retirement facility, networking