Project: Municipal Wi-Fi

Location: Gachie, Nairobi

Overview

Gachie Business Center thrives on various online businesses that require reliable access to Wi-Fi networks. Due to this demand, there was a real need for an affordable, high-uptime and well-managed connectivity solution to serve the businesses in this sprawling business center. 

In response to the need for an affordable, reliable, well managed & high uptime Wi-Fi hotspot network, MyManga Networks, in collaboration with Optace Networks Limited - the official distributor of Cambium Networks & Fuzion Technologies solutions in East and Central Africa - implemented a hundred-percent off-grid Wi-Fi solution powered by the Fuzion FTP-300. The FTP-300 is a durable solar-charged power solution with PoE in a small form factor that is ideal for Wi-Fi hotspots, surveillance cameras, microwave CPEs, cellular gateways and more.

The Challenge 

Many Wi-Fi service providers in Gachie rely mainly on grid power for their wireless networks. 

This implies that power blackouts automatically lead to network downtime.

MyManga Networks in Gachie had previously deployed Wi-Fi hotspots that fully relied on grid power. However, they encountered disruptive power and scalability problems with their wireless network infrastructure, including network management challenges.

The Solution

MyManga Networks collaborated with Optace Networks to design and implement a public Wi-Fi hotspot solution with the following benefits:

• 100 percent off-grid, ensuring 99.99% uptime
• Centralized network management
• Ease of deployment & service activation
• Excellent & robust user experience 

The Deployed Technology

The solution technology involved the deployment of the two key network and connectivity devices:

• Cambium XV2-2T0 Outdoor Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Access Point (AP): The XV2-2T0 is a dual radio Wi-Fi 6 access point designed for outdoor deployments in Wi-Fi hotspots, outdoor enterprise networks, hospitality and campus networks.
• Fuzion FTP-300 Solar Powered Solution: The Fuzion FTP-300 is a durable solar charged power solution with PoE in a small form factor ideal for Wi-Fi hotspots, microwave radios, cellular gateways, surveillance cameras and more. The FTP-300 is designed for “deploy-and-forget” installations in remote areas and for operation under harsh environmental conditions.

The Results

During the design phase carried out by Optace Networks, the following results were integral to the success of this project:

• The highest available uptime of 99.99%
• Ease of solution deployment
• Ease of Wi-Fi network management
• Robust and seamless Wi-Fi experience

In order to guarantee the highest uptime and quick turnaround in Wi-Fi hotspot solution deployment, the Fuzion FTP-300 was installed to power all the network equipment in this Wi-Fi hotspot solution. 

Moreover, to ensure a robust and seamless Wi-Fi experience, the Cambium XV2-2T Wi-Fi 6 outdoor wireless access point with high-efficiency antennas was deployed.  The XV2-2T delivers up to 1 km range as well as higher throughput at shorter ranges compared to other competitive Wi-Fi solutions. Covering more area per AP, Cambium XV2-2T Wi-Fi 6 access points saves costs on equipment, cabling, installation, and maintenance for outdoor Wi-Fi deployments. 

For ease of management & future scalability, all Cambium devices, including the deployed Cambium XV2-2T Wi-Fi 6 outdoor wireless access point, are managed via the cnMaestro™ system, which offers a single pane of glass for intelligent automation, application visibility, and control.

Work with us

Optace Networks is a value-added distributor of network technology and solutions across East and Central Africa. You can work with us to get your an affordable, high-uptime and well-managed connectivity solution for your business needs. We are committed to businesses that are dedicated to bridging gaps by creating links between people, communities, ideas, technologies, or resources. Contact us here.