Navigating the indoor connectivity shift: unlocking growth through value-added solutions
The evolving landscape of indoor connectivity
In today’s increasingly digital world, seamless and reliable indoor wireless connectivity has become a critical requirement. Large venues, multi-dwelling units, office spaces, and other indoor environments demand robust wireless solutions, especially as the adoption of smart building technologies, IoT, and advanced analytics solutions increases.
These advancements have transformed the indoor connectivity market, with customers seeking more specialised services adapted to their specific infrastructure designs and end-users.
Meanwhile, operators continue standardising their service offers, battling to differentiate themselves through price and service while reducing their connectivity service’s standalone value.
Vertical specialisation, a response to commoditisation
The high demand for more flexible and specialised connectivity offers has driven the development of new players that compete with traditional connectivity providers: connectivity specialists.
Specialists go beyond the installation of access points, offering better customer support and tailored solutions. Increasingly, they also offer value-added services that enhance user experiences and integrate with smart technologies.
These new players are leveraging their in-depth knowledge of different industries to address their unique needs through solutions that adapt to venue structures and connectivity requirements.
To address these needs, specialists have designed connectivity services that enhance the end-user experience for each vertical, including pay-as-you-go models, revenue-sharing frameworks, white-label options, and specialised customer services focused on each end-user characteristic.
Beyond basic connectivity, specialists also provide value-added services, such as IoT integration, data recollection and analytics, cyber security, and digital signage solutions, all tailored to specific customer requirements.
For instance, retailers may benefit from customer engagement features and data analytics tools. Hospitality providers may prioritise secure and stable connectivity for communication between the front desk and the guest rooms and distribution of entertainment to guests. Later living and care homes might benefit from IoT integration for health monitoring. Military clients may favour services that ensure critical communications are kept secure while allowing connectivity for recreational use.
With this extended and specialised offer, specialists are gaining traction from traditional connectivity providers. This suggests the market is moving from a price-based differentiation towards a more specialised demand, providing specialists with room to keep growing.
Vertical specialisation as a successful growth strategy
Boingo
Boingo Wireless is a leading US neutral host provider of wireless network solutions with nearly 20 years of experience. The company specialises in large venues and has built industry-leading Wi-Fi networks for major locations such as the World Trade Center, Hollywood Bowl, and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
To achieve this, Boingo has been an active acquirer of airport neutral-host wireless systems that provide Wi-Fi infrastructure implementation and management for airports across North America, including Concourse Communication Group, Opti-Fi Networks, and Advanced Wireless Group.
Wifinity
Wifinity is a UK-based managed Wi-Fi provider that has established a strong presence in the military sector, primarily serving government and military facilities.
Despite starting as a connectivity provider for military accommodations, Wifinity has expanded into new customer verticals both organically and inorganically. In fact, it also serves holiday parks, build-to-rent and purpose-built student accommodations, multi-tenant buildings, offices, and corporate verticals.
Additionally, Wifinity has added new services to its portfolio, including data analytics, IoT integration, DDoS protection, VMware, and cloud services.
