When a 120-person professional services firm moved into their new Tokyo office in Minato-ku in 2025, they assumed their WiFi would work. They installed one access point in each corner and one in the center. The result: conference rooms had dead zones, open office suffered channel interference that slowed speeds, and the executive suite had virtually no coverage. After six months of frustration and lost productivity estimated at ¥2 million annually, they hired a professional. An Ekahau survey revealed they needed 12 APs, not 8, with different placement and power settings. A ¥800,000 redesign eliminated the problems.
This illustrates why professional wireless surveys matter. WiFi is invisible and unpredictable—what looks adequate on paper often fails in practice.
What Is an Ekahau Wireless Survey?
Ekahau is the industry-leading tool for wireless network design. Predictive surveys simulate WiFi propagation before equipment is installed (fastest, least expensive). Active surveys measure actual signal strength and performance (validates installations). Passive surveys identify interference sources and channel utilization.
Surveys produce heatmaps showing signal strength, interference areas, throughput predictions, channel overlap, and secondary coverage.
When to Get a Professional Survey
New construction/renovation, existing problems, equipment validation, business-critical WiFi, or large/complex spaces (over 500 sq m).
Survey process: gather floor plans and requirements → execute on-site (2-4 hours) → generate heatmaps and recommendations.
Tokyo-Specific Challenges
High-density environments require WiFi 6. Expect 20-50 neighboring networks competing for spectrum—the 2.4 GHz band is saturated, so use 5 GHz. Concrete, metal, and low-E glass block signals. Japan restricts frequency bands; some channels require Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS).
DIY vs. Professional
DIY is sufficient for: Small spaces with simple requirements or basic troubleshooting.
Professional surveys are justified for: Business-critical WiFi, large/complex spaces, high-density environments, or new construction.
Cost-benefit analysis: Professional surveys cost ¥150,000-500,000. WiFi problems cost ¥1-2 million annually for a 50-person office. Professional surveys are cost-effective insurance.
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About AKRIN
AKRIN K.K. is a Tokyo-based managed IT services company providing professional Ekahau wireless surveys for international companies operating in Japan. Our certified survey engineers conduct predictive, active, and passive surveys to design, troubleshoot, and optimize WiFi networks. Contact us to schedule your wireless survey.
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