Impact of changing power level for AP

[Leftz]

Hi We have more than 30 APs registered to AireOS WLC in a building. The APs are about 35FT high at the ceiling. The signal looks like weak about -70dBm. We want to increase the power level. The question is after increasing the power level from 4 or 5 to 1 with 2.4 or 5G, is there any impacts on client traffic? Thank you

[Arshad Safrulla · Accepted solution]

Hi Which AP's do you have? I wouldn't recommend increasing power levels without a proper study of AP coverage patterns or a survey. 

If you have AP's with omni antennas, the problem is that most of the AP coverage is directed sideways towards other access points in the ceiling which will end up causing amplified co-channel interference. Also antenna gain shoots over the target area and data rates are reduced. So recommendation is to have downlift antennas or patch antennas focusing coverage in to areas as required rather increasing power levels.

[Tony Rosolek · Accepted solution]

What kind of clients do you use? What's the AP model your are using? Internal or external antennas? Are we talking about 2.4 or 5 GHz band?

[Leftz · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your reply. 

The ticket is closed by the system. and i did not close it. The system looks having problem. Do not know how to contact system administrator.

The APs are 3802I. Survey show the signal is about -70dBm with 5GHz and 2.4GHz right under the AP

@Arshad Safrulla

" ---- the problem is that most of the AP coverage is directed sideways towards other access points in the ceiling which will end up causing amplified co-channel interference "

CCI mostly impact 2.4GHz, do you agree?