As the demand for ubiquitous Wi-Fi coverage continues to grow, network designers and installers face the challenge of placing Wi-Fi access points (APs) in outdoor locations. Purpose-built solutions, like Wi-Fi bollards, simplify installation while addressing unique outdoor network challenges.
Key Considerations for Outdoor Wi-Fi Networks
Wi-Fi integrators often need to extend the premise network into outdoor areas in college, healthcare, and corporate campuses, and in smart city applications. The outdoor installation creates its own challenges for the premise network designer and installer (NDI) as it involves Outside Plant considerations, which are different from day-to-day indoor network installation challenges.
The NDI must carefully consider equipment physical protection, weather protection, temperature extremes, solar loading, aesthetics, lightning protection, and installation cost – typically much higher than an indoor installation.
In many cases, the NDI will consider mounting access points on building walls or on top of buildings, on existing outdoor lighting poles, or even in or on the ground. These fallback installation methods face push back from campus stake holders because of aesthetics, maintenance, powering, or performance and location issues.
How Wi-Fi Bollards Simplify Outdoor Network Deployment
Purpose-built Wi-Fi bollards provide a comprehensive solution for outdoor Wi-Fi installations, allowing network designers and installers to overcome common challenges. These bollards include:
- Internal anchor base: Provides stability and secure placement.
- Equipment stand: Houses antennas, APs, and necessary components.
- Bollard cover: Protects equipment from environmental elements and vandalism.
- Optional workbox: Offers UL-listed, NEMA 4-rated enclosures for AC power circuits.
Benefits of Wi-Fi Bollards
Wi-Fi Bollards assist the NDI with outdoor Wi-Fi in the following manner:
- Optimized Performance – The Wi-Fi Bollard allows the designer to place the AP and antenna precisely where it is needed– near the client devices. Installation on buildings or existing light poles puts the APs where the structure is, typically is not where the Wi-Fi signal is desired.
- Enhanced Protection – the Wi-Fi Bollard protects the equipment (APs, Antennas, cables, media converters, power injectors, etc.) from tampering, vandalism and the elements. Additionally, equipment mounted in bollards is less likely to be affected by lightning than equipment mounted on top of buildings or light poles.
- Aesthetic Integration – the Wi-Fi Bollards conceal the equipment in a visually benign enclosure. The Wi-Fi Bollards are available in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes to suite the designer.
- Ease of Installation and Maintenance – the Wi-Fi Bollard is at ground level, and does not require a lift to install and service.
Purpose-Built Solutions for Reliable Outdoor Wi-Fi
Oberon’s Wi-Fi Bollards come in two styles. Both are available in a number of colors and designed to provide reliable, secure, and aesthetic solutions for outdoor wireless networks.
- Model 3032: A general-purpose bollard with a low-loss, roto-molded polyethylene plastic design.
- Model 3030: A heavy-duty bollard made from low-loss, cast fiberglass for added durability.
Explore Oberon full range of wireless mounts and enclosures today and take your outdoor wireless networks to the next level.
