Dot11 Basics: What is Dot11, why do I need it and how does it work?

Dot11 is Excell's managed Wi-Fi service. This article will help you begin creating your user accounts.

This article is will introduce you to Dot11 and answer some frequently asked questions.

1. What is Dot11?
2. Why is it called Dot11?
3. Why do I need it?
4. Overcoming wireless congestion to benefit everybody
5. How fast is it?
6. How secure is it?
7. Is it the only wireless network I can use?
8. OK, so how does it work?

Next up in the series: Dot11 Basics #2: Get started by creating a user account

What is Dot11?

Dot11 is a fast, secure and reliable Wi-Fi service which delivers seamless, building-wide network connectivity in an increasing number of London building centres.

It is free to use for Excell Business Centre Solutions customers who subscribe to internet access services within the building. There is also free access wherever you see the Dot11-Guest network in our buildings - just sign up and go.

Why is it called Dot11?

Dot11 is a wordplay on IEEE 802.11, the technical name for the global specifications for wireless communications networks. They are the blueprints for how all of our Wi-Fi networks operate.

Why do I need it?

Most homes and businesses currently operate on out-of-date, slow wireless networks using wireless access points containing old technology. With the number of wireless-enabled devices rapidly increasing it is now critical to adopt new technologies and innovative solutions.

Dot11 provides a stable, resilient and continuous connection throughout the buildings in which it is present and combines this with high-speed fibre optic internet access. It does all this while tackling increasingly common problems that arise from the vast number of devices that are now trying to connect.

Overcoming wireless congestion to benefit everybody

Wireless signal congestion is becoming a common problem in densely packed urban areas and multi-tenanted office buildings, where there are a vast number of networks trying to share very little “airspace” (or bandwidth). This results in everybody’s wireless networks suffering from signal interference because they are not intelligently aware of one another.

A building-wide community Wi-Fi network, designed from the ground up to avoid wireless signal interference, is the best solution to this problem because the wireless access points can co-operate and work in harmony to prevent signals interfering with one another.

You can read more about wireless signal interference in our blog post here.

How fast is it?

Dot11 uses the latest wireless access point technology to ensure you have a blisteringly fast, always-on connection. It’s built using access points operating on 802.11ac standards, which means speeds of up to 1.3Gbps - which is faster than most devices can currently operate.

802.11ac also operates on the 5 Ghz (gigahertz) frequency which wireless-enabled devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones are increasingly adopting due to its speed and reliability.

How secure is it?

Dot11 has been built from the ground-up to provide enterprise-class security to its business users, and this, therefore, extends to everybody that uses Dot11. We use WPA2 Enterprise security, which means you have both a username and password.

These credentials identify who you and your device are so that we can place you into the correct local network. This means business users with offices in the building can securely access their private business networks, including printers and servers, from anywhere within a building that has the Dot11 network.

Is it the only wireless network I can use?

Yes. This is entirely for the benefit of the wider business communities which base themselves in the business centres we operate, for whom wireless congestion wreaks havoc with their connectivity and ultimately their day-to-day business. By using the bandwidth in a co-operative manner everybody can enjoy fast, secure and reliable Wi-Fi.

Ok, so how does it work?

If you are a business customer occupying an office in one of the buildings that has the Dot11 wireless network then you need to get your administrator log-in credentials from our Business Centre Solutions team. You can get in touch with us on 0203 176 1030 or at [e-mail].

Your administrator credentials let you log in to Dot11 on up to 3 of your devices and give you access to the Dot11 administration portal to create further user accounts for the other users in your business so they can use Dot11 on up to 3 of their devices too.

Once you have got your administrator credentials you can follow the next guide in this Dot11 Basics series to get going:

Dot11 Basics #2: Get started by creating a user account