By Claus Hetting, WiFi NOW CEO & Chairman
Poor quality mesh Wi-Fi installations can be costly for broadband service providers – but now Wi-Fi tools startup Sidos offers a solution allowing field technicians to quickly and accurately install mesh Wi-Fi in both single-family homes and MDUs. The method works just as well for temporary networks at conferences or events and it can even support enterprise AP deployments, Sidos says. The solution is currently being trialed by a major US service provider.
Service providers responsible for mesh Wi-Fi installations often lack tools to ensure proper placement of Wi-Fi mesh units. As a result, up to 10 percent of installations fail leading to costly support calls and unnecessary truck rolls. Sidos – a Wi-Fi tools startup – now offers a new approach that improves mesh deployment across a wide range of environments. The solution is currently being trialed by a major US service provider and the results already look promising, the company says.
“Mesh Wi-Fi installs are challenging even for experienced technicians and until now, there have been no specialized tools available to guide proper placement. Installs done wrong lead to support calls, truck rolls, and can even trigger money-back guarantees. Our solution gives field teams the tools and guidance they’ve been missing. And the solution does not require Wi-Fi planning software or preloaded floor plans. Technicians can determine best placement when they arrive, with no advance prep,” says Mika Hakala, CMO at Sidos.
The solution combines the handheld Sidos Wave Wi-Fi measurement device with an integrated app that guides installers to optimal mesh Wi-Fi placement. Designed from the bottom up for enterprise-grade networks, the Sidos Wave delivers accurate signal readings and has proven ideal for fast, precise installations in both residential and commercial setting, Sidos says.
“The best part is that anyone can learn to use the Sidos Wave in just a few minutes,” says Mika Hakala. “You simply tap each mesh unit with the Wave to lock onto its signal. As more pods are added, the device tracks them all simultaneously. While walking through the space, installers see real-time signal strength and clear color indicators that show where to place the next pod. The Wave is a powerful tool, but it’s simple enough for anyone to use, no prior Wi-Fi expertise needed,” he says.
Without it most installers are left trying to use their smartphones and consumer-grade apps to guide mesh network placement. But without proper visibility into mesh topology, backhaul signal strength, or multi-band performance, it is difficult to achieve consistent, high-quality deployments. This is where the Sidos Wave delivers a lot of value, Sidos says.
The issue is that smartphones are not designed for professional Wi-Fi installation work, Sidos says. “A typical phone connects to one access point at a time and doesn’t provide the visibility needed to properly deploy a multi-unit mesh network. You can’t see signal strength across all bands for multiple mesh points at the same time on a phone, and the measurement updates are too slow for real-time placement guidance. In addition smartphones aren’t built for accurate signal measurement. They are optimized for connectivity, not for RF readings. The Sidos Wave is engineered for high-precision enterprise Wi-Fi work, which makes it an ideal for fast and reliable mesh network installations,” Mika Hakala says.
Sidos – a new WiFi NOW partner for 2025 – spoke at Wi-Fi World Congress Mountain View in late April and has been disrupting the deeply entrenched market for Wi-Fi troubleshooting and planning tools since its inception in 2021. Read more here. Also watch the short demo video below.
/Claus.
