This article was machine-translated from French and is being reviewed. Prices are in Algerian dinars excl. VAT.
For enterprise‑grade Wi‑Fi, there is no fixed coverage per access point. The right number depends on walls and floors to cross, the number of devices connected simultaneously, and usage (messaging, video conferencing, cameras). The method has three steps: cover each zone, verify capacity, then validate with an on‑site measurement. The equipment sold by AsloTech is consumer‑grade (routers and Wi‑Fi access points): this guide remains at that level.
In short
- Two criteria determine the number of access points: coverage (walls, floors) and capacity (devices connected at once). Take the larger of the two results.
- A Wi‑Fi access point is preferably connected with an Ethernet cable. If the model supports PoE, that same cable powers it; otherwise it uses its power adapter. A wireless repeater does not replace a wired access point.
- For a new purchase, Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) handles many more devices than Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11ac). Wi‑Fi 5 remains sufficient for few devices.
Professional Wi‑Fi: counting access points in three steps
Step 1, coverage. Take the floor plan. Each floor needs at least one access point, because signal passes poorly through reinforced concrete slabs. Load‑bearing walls, metal partitions and conduits also strongly attenuate the signal. Place access points high, in corridors and open areas, not in a corner or behind a metal cabinet. Add one point for each closed room where people stay long: meeting rooms, training rooms, waiting areas.
Step 2, the capacity. Count devices connected simultaneously, not people: laptop, phone, tablet, printer, reader. An access point shares its bandwidth among all devices on the same radio channel. When a model’s specifications list a maximum number of clients, the realistic usable number is lower, especially with video calls. Divide the number of devices in a zone by the model’s client limit, adding some margin.
Example reasoning, with assumed figures for illustration: a floor of 25 people each having 2 devices equals 25 × 2 = 50 devices. If you assume 25 clients per point, at least 2 points are needed for capacity, even though one suffices for coverage. Use the manufacturer’s value for the chosen model, not that figure.
Step 3, the measurement. Before drilling, install a temporary access point or take a survey. With a phone and a measurement app, check the signal level and bandwidth at the end of each zone. A level around -67 dBm or better is a common benchmark for video calls. Then adjust the number and location of access points.
Wi‑Fi 5 or Wi‑Fi 6: which generation to choose?
| Criterion | Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
|---|---|---|
| Frequencies used | 5 GHz (dual‑band devices switch to 2.4 GHz with 802.11n) | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz |
| Theoretical maximum bandwidth of the standard | 6.9 Gb/s (8 streams, 160 MHz channel) | 9.6 Gb/s (8 streams, 160 MHz channel) |
| Negotiated bandwidth of a mobile with 2 antennas, 80 MHz channel | 867 Mb/s | 1,201 Mb/s |
| Simultaneous access by many devices | MU‑MIMO in transmit only, no OFDMA | OFDMA, and MU‑MIMO in both transmit and receive |
The maximum speeds of the standard are never reached by a single device. The useful throughput is much lower than the negotiated bandwidth because the radio channel is shared and the protocol consumes part of the bandwidth. What distinguishes Wi‑Fi 6 is capacity: OFDMA allows an access point to serve multiple devices at the same time on a single channel.
Our advice: for a new purchase choose Wi‑Fi 6 if the budget allows. As of the shop survey on 06/11/2026, routers in stock are Wi‑Fi 4 (Tenda N300 F6, Huawei WS318N) and Wi‑Fi 5 (Tenda AC5); the Wi‑Fi 6 model, D-Link EXO AX1800 Mesh DAP-1860, was out of stock. Remember its benefits apply only to Wi‑Fi 6 devices; older devices connect at their own standard speed. Wi‑Fi 6E adds the 6 GHz band; its use depends on country regulations, do not assume it is available.
Wiring access points: one point, one network cable
A Wi‑Fi access point is preferably connected with a Cat6 cable (Cat5e minimum), up to 100 m. If the model supports PoE, that same cable powers it and you need no ceiling outlet or power adapter. The router specifications listed below do not mention PoE: power them with their adapters unless the manufacturer states otherwise. See the guide Cat6 or Cat6A to choose the cable, and the guide on the price of an RJ45 point to estimate it. Between two buildings more than 100 m apart, consider fiber or copper.
For a PoE‑capable access point, check two items: the PoE standard of the device (802.3af or 802.3at, read the spec) and the PoE budget of the switch. Example calculation with shop switches: 120 W ÷ 8 ports = 15 W per port if all eight are used, and 300 W ÷ 24 ports = 12.5 W per port. An 802.3af port can supply up to 15.4 W, so eight devices each drawing 15.4 W would need 8 × 15.4 = 123.2 W, more than 120 W. Always compare each access point’s wattage (from its spec) to the switch budget.
For an isolated PoE‑capable access point, a PoE injector replaces the PoE switch. A wireless relay (repeater or mesh) can help, but it does not equal a wired access point: see the answer below.
Router, switch and access points: who does what?
- The router or firewall connects the network to the Internet and, most often, distributes IP addresses.
- The PoE switch connects the access points to the network and powers them.
- The access points broadcast Wi‑Fi.
With multiple access points, a centralized management (hardware controller, software or online service, depending on the brand) allows you to set the network name (SSID), channels and updates once. Consumer hardware does not always provide this: check the spec to see if the model offers mesh mode or group management. Without it, you configure each access point separately. With the same network name and password on all points, the device decides when to switch points. Roaming functions (802.11k, 802.11v, 802.11r) and centralized management improve this handover.
Separate the uses: one network for guests, another for company equipment. See Guest Wi‑Fi: how to secure it and VLAN: segment your network. Consumer routers are generally not designed for this: check their specifications before placing them at the center of a corporate network. Choose the router or firewall with the guide why a SME needs a firewall.
What the shop offers
The prices below are excl. VAT, taken from asloitech.com on 06/11/2026, according to availability.
| Equipment | Role | Price in DA HT |
|---|---|---|
| GENATA Switch 8 ports Gigabit PoE, 120 W total | PoE switch for a few access points | 15 000 |
| GENATA Switch 24 ports Gigabit PoE, 300 W total | PoE switch for one floor | 58 000 |
| TP‑Link TL‑POE150S PoE injector | Power an isolated access point | 4 800 |
| Ubiquiti Gigabit PoE injector | Power an isolated access point | 5 000 |
| Tenda N300 F6 router | Entry‑level router, Wi‑Fi 4 (802.11n, 300 Mb/s theoretical) | 4 300 |
| Routeur Huawei WS318N N300 | Entry‑level router, labeled “access point” by the store, Wi‑Fi 4 (802.11n, 300 Mb/s theoretical) | 4 700 |
| Tenda AC5 AC1200 router | Dual‑band router, Wi‑Fi 5 | 5 900 |
| Routeur D‑Link EXO AX1800 Mesh DAP‑1860 | Wi‑Fi 6, mesh; out of stock at the time of capture | 12 500 |
| East UPS EA265 Pro, 650 VA / 390 W | Router and switch backup | 10 500 |
AsloTech sells consumer routers and Wi‑Fi access points: this table lists the references as of 06/11/2026. Tenda and Huawei routers suit a small premises with few devices. The “AC1200” figure sums the theoretical throughput of both bands: a single device never reaches that total. A single router does not replace a multi‑point network. If your premises exceed these uses, the technical visit can determine if this hardware suffices. The UPS sizing is detailed in the guide onduleur : quelle puissance choisir.
Particularities in Algiers: concrete, frequency bands, heat and outages
- Reinforced concrete. It strongly attenuates the signal. An access point in a corridor poorly serves rooms separated by several load‑bearing walls: plan one point per zone, not one per floor in a partitioned building.
- Bands 2.4 and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz reaches farther, but it is crowded (neighboring networks, Bluetooth, microwave ovens) and offers only three non‑overlapping 20 MHz channels (1, 6, 11). The 5 GHz reaches less far, with more channels and fewer interferences. For workstations and video calls, prefer 5 GHz where the signal is good.
- Heat. A unit placed in a false ceiling or unventilated room heats up. Check the maximum operating temperature in the datasheet.
- Power outages. A UPS on the router and, if present, on the PoE switch keeps the network running during a short outage. Remember that PoE‑powered devices also draw power from the UPS.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Wi‑Fi repeater replace a second wired access point?
No, not in an office. A single‑radio repeater rebroadcasts on the same channel it receives, which noticeably reduces throughput and adds latency. A wired access point keeps all its radio bandwidth. Reserve the repeater for temporary troubleshooting.
What area does a Wi‑Fi access point cover?
There is no universal value. Range depends on transmit power, band (2.4 or 5 GHz), materials crossed and obstacles. In an open floor it is much larger than between reinforced concrete walls. Test with a phone at the edge of each zone before confirming the number of access points.
Should I buy access points from the same brand?
No, access points from different brands can broadcast the same network name with the same password, and the device connects to whichever it chooses. However, with consumer hardware, models from the same mesh range configure together more easily and handle hand‑offs better: check the datasheet to ensure the models work together. This is a strong argument once you have more than two or three access points.
Does a PoE access point need a controller or router?
An access point can operate alone, without a controller: PoE only supplies power. It needs a network, so a switch and a router that distribute addresses and provide Internet access. Centralized management becomes useful with multiple access points, to configure and update everything from one place; consumer hardware does not always offer this.
To size the Wi‑Fi in your premises, use our network and cabling page and request a technical visit. For network security, see the network security and firewall page. For cameras on the same network, consult Wi‑Fi or wired PoE camera and our video surveillance page. The equipment is also in the network store.