Next Big Thing? Wireless Mesh Network Market is on the Rise
1. Spectrum Congestion & Interference
Mesh networks typically operate on unlicensed frequencies (2.4 GHz/5 GHz), leading to interference and reduced reliability in dense deployments—especially in urban smart city environments.
2. Security Vulnerabilities
Distributed architectures introduce security concerns such as man-in-the-middle attacks, rogue nodes, and unauthorized access. Robust encryption, authentication, and regular patches are imperative but increase complexity and cost.
3. High Initial Investment
While operational costs drop through fewer wired connections, up-front investments in hardware, deployment, and customization—especially for large-scale smart city or industrial use—can be significant and present budget barriers.
4. Standardization and Interoperability
Lack of universal protocols among vendors can hinder node compatibility. Although ETSI and IEEE standard bodies address interoperability, practical fragmentation persists .
5. Power Consumption Concerns
Mesh routers/nodes operating continuously can drain energy quickly—critical in remote or battery-powered IoT installations. Energy-efficient management and green networking are emerging needs .