--- title: "Wi-Fi Grades: Data, Voice and RTLS Explained | IPTel" description: IPTel's Wi-Fi grades explained — data, voice, RTLS10 and RTLS5 — and how the grade you choose sets AP density, cost and capability. image: https://blog.iptel.com.au/hubfs/Blogs/Wi-Fi%20Grades/Wi-Fi%20Grades%20(Instagram)-feature.jpg --- [![IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2-pnd-optimised-500 (1)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2-pnd-optimised-500%20(1).png?width=200&height=59&name=IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2-pnd-optimised-500%20(1).png "IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2-pnd-optimised-500 (1)")](https://iptel.com.au) - [Home](https://iptel.com.au/) - [Solutions](https://iptel.com.au/solutions) Technologies - [Cisco Access Manager](https://iptel.com.au/technologies/cisco-access-manager) - [Cisco Catalyst Center](https://iptel.com.au/technologies/cisco-catalyst-center) - [Cisco Meraki](https://iptel.com.au/technologies/cisco-meraki) - [Cisco SDA Fabric](https://iptel.com.au/technologies/cisco-sda-fabric) - 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[Request a Quote](https://iptel.com.au/request-a-quote) - [Managed Services](https://iptel.com.au/managed-services-enquiry) Case Studies - [DP World Video](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hubfs/Case%20Studies/DP%20World_Case_Study.mp4) - [DP World](https://blog.iptel.com.au/dp-world-case-study) - [Backup Assure](https://blog.iptel.com.au/backup-assure-a-disaster-recovery-case-study) [Contact Us](https://iptel.com.au/contact-us) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ## Wi-Fi Grades Sept 18, 2025 When any business embarks on a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) upgrade, it opens up a great many possibilities for supporting new services, as well as adopting a much more mobile approach to the workforce. The grade at which your Wireless LAN has been designed will dictate the services it can support. ![Wi-Fi Grades](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Wi-Fi%20Grades/Wi-Fi%20Grades-still.jpg?width=1475&height=790&name=Wi-Fi%20Grades-still.jpg)   With any Wi-Fi upgrade, there are a number of choices and options about how a new system can be implemented and the exact use cases to be supported. This blog seeks to answer some of the questions customers have in regard to one aspect of Wi-Fi design – the Wi-Fi grade and what services these grades support. Related reading - [Wi-Fi Surveys](https://iptel.com.au/services/wi-fi-surveys) - [Troubleshooting with Catalyst Center](https://blog.iptel.com.au/troubleshooting-with-cisco-catalyst-center) - [Wi-Fi Concepts](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-terminology) - [Wi-Fi Terminology](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-terminology) - [Copper vs Fibre](https://blog.iptel.com.au/copper-vs-fibre) --- ## Background to Wi-Fi Grades Wi-Fi grades – and the services they support – are most notably about density of Access Points (APs). The higher the density of APs, the lower the transmit (TX) power is on those APs – they turn down dynamically, in proportion to how many neighbours they have. These smaller cell sizes reap a range of benefits – you can support more clients, at a higher transmit speed, because the clients are spread across more APs. [![Increasing AP Density](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/AP%20Density/Increasing%20AP%20Density%20-%20Instagram.jpg?width=243&height=243&name=Increasing%20AP%20Density%20-%20Instagram.jpg)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/increasing-access-point-density)The smaller cell size lends itself much more to being able to trilaterate a client’s location – picking up beacons and traffic from a client on multiple APs to provide location awareness. As a very basic rule of thumb, the higher the density of APs, the better the granularity (and the smaller the zone of uncertainty). Wi-Fi based RTLS uses the ability for client traffic to be received by an AP. Walls are often in the way, along with other obstructions and sometimes there are reflected radio waves arriving at an AP. These obstructions and variance in the received signal cause a level of uncertainty about where a client is, leading to a zone of uncertainty. This zone of uncertainty tends to be measured as a distance from the actual point the client is really located. Note! All Wi-Fi location is subject to some error in the accuracy – it’s not pinpoint, but can be very useful for locating objects and people to a reasonable level of accuracy. Related reading - [Increasing AP Density](https://blog.iptel.com.au/increasing-access-point-density) - [Wi-Fi Surveys (Overview to the various types of RF Surveys)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-surveys) - [Wi-Fi Phone Dropouts](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-phone-dropouts) - [Wi-Fi Surveys](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-surveys) --- ## Wi-Fi Grades Options The grade at which your Wi-Fi has been designed is undertaken at the [Wi-Fi Survey stage](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-surveys). Wi-Fi surveys are all about taking the business and technical requirements and building out an RF design to suit these. The process normally starts with a [Wi-Fi Predictive Design](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-predictive-design-wifi-heatmaps), followed by a[Wi-Fi Pre-Deployment survey](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wireless-pre-deployment-surveys)- combined, these two stages deliver a wireless LAN RF design. One of the key metrics is AP density, but there are other metrics used too - the type of AP (omni vs patch), and the location of the APs are key parameters too.  Let's take a quick look at how the grades compare: | **Wi-Fi Grade** | **Use cases this typically supports** | | --- | --- | | **Hotspot** | Lowest grade possible. Typically a smattering of APs, which are often deployed in high-traffic areas, such as lunch rooms or meeting rooms | | **Data** | One level up from Hotspot, this grade allows for higher powered devices (think laptops here) to roam around and not drop out. Coverage is reliable, but only for larger, more powerful Wi-Fi devices (eg \> 25mW - 50mW). | | **Voice** **(MOST RECOMMENDED)** | Voice grade describes a couple of things. It will support voice devices with seamless roaming and minimal to no dropouts. What the voice grade is really describing though, is the ability to support devices running at, or below, 25mW. These are normally smaller, more mobile devices, such as phones. Voice grade will support pretty much all clients you can deploy. This is the recommended starting point for most businesses. | | **RTLS10** **(RECOMMENDED FOR CLINICAL)** | [Real Time Location Services](https://blog.iptel.com.au/clinical-rtls-nursecall-integration) (or RTLS for short), is all about overlaying the ability to locate Wi-Fi clients, based on their signal strength. This is commonly deployed in clinical environments, and is the most common grade we deploy in hospitals. This grade typically requires a perimeter of APs (sometimes called the convex hull design), using more APs than the voice grade does, but offering the ability to support a multitude of overlay applications. The RTLS10 design seeks to locate clients within 10m of their real location, 90% of the time. | | **RTLS5** **(CLINICAL DURESS)** | RTLS5 is a higher density design, often combined with calibration surveys, or other techniques to increase the accuracy of the device location. Clinical duress is a common use case for this grade, although duress could be delivered at RTLS10, as "Call Assist". | **IMPORTANT NOTES:** - For the most part, as you step down through the table above the AP density increases - more APs are needed to support the higher level services Related reading - [Wi-Fi Surveys](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-surveys) - [Wi-Fi and the Cinema Story](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-and-the-cinema-story) --- ## RTLS10 vs RTLS5 The basic premise of the difference between these grades is an increase in AP density. This could also be referred to as a high-density solution. Often additional techniques are used, such as onsite calibration surveys, or other algorithmic analysis, to help improve location accuracy. [![AP Placement](https://blog.iptel.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/AP%20Placement/AP%20Placement%20Feature%20Image.png?width=233&height=233&name=AP%20Placement%20Feature%20Image.png)](https://blog.iptel.com.au/ap-placement-location-grade)Historically Wi-Fi networks were designed for just coverage (or Primary RF coverage, to be more precise). These days we are designing for more than that – client density. This means densities of APs have increased from where they used to be. The standard Cisco Guidelines are sub 10m 90% of the time, sub 7m 50% of the time. Open areas fare worse than walled areas – there’s less “light and shade”, which is useful in locating a client in an open space. For most customers the sub 10m grade is what’s required, unless there are specific requirements for very accurate location. Related reading - [AP Placement: Location Grade Wi-Fi](https://blog.iptel.com.au/ap-placement-location-grade) - [Wi-Fi Data Rates and Coverage](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-data-rates-and-coverage) --- --- ## Wi-Fi Grades: FAQs ### What Is a Wi-Fi Grade? A defined design standard — such as data, voice or location — that sets signal targets, overlap and AP density for the services the network must support. ### What Is the Difference Between Data and Voice Grade? Voice grade needs coverage from two APs at -67 dBm so phones can roam without dropping. Data grade needs fewer APs and suits stationary laptops. ### What Is the Difference Between RTLS10 and RTLS5? RTLS10 locates devices to within about 10 m most of the time; RTLS5 targets around 5 m and needs higher AP density. ### Can I Upgrade the Grade Later? It's possible but costly. Adding APs after installation means extra cabling and works, so choose the grade for future needs up front. --- ## Wi-Fi Grades: Summary There's quite a lot of information to absorb in this blog. Here's the quick summary: the number and location of APs that you deploy enable the services you support. Installing the minimum number of APs means you will not get a reliable service for small low powered devices. When we design, we need to take into account what you'll be doing with the network.  It's a surprise to many customers that we can vary the designs and support a range of services - but you need to ask some questions about how the network will be used. Hopefully this blog has been of use. As ever, if you need support with your design and install, drop us a line at [sales@iptel.com.au](mailto:sales@iptel.com.au)  Related reading - [Wi-Fi Predictive Designs](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-predictive-design-wifi-heatmaps) - [Wi-Fi Assurance Review](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wifi-assurance-review) - [Wi-Fi 6E and 6GHz Explained](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-6e-and-6ghz-explained) - [Wi-Fi 6 vs 5G](https://blog.iptel.com.au/cisco-private-5g) - [Wi-Fi Surveys: Overview to Wi-Fi Survey types](https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-surveys)   ### Need Help With Your Wi-Fi? Our [Wi-Fi survey and design team](https://iptel.com.au/services/wi-fi-surveys) designs, surveys and fixes enterprise Wi-Fi across Australia, and the free [AP Estimator](https://iptel.com.au/resources/wifi-access-point-estimator) gives you a first AP count. If that would be useful, [get in touch with the IPTel team](https://iptel.com.au/contact-us) or email [sales@iptel.com.au](mailto:sales@iptel.com.au). #### Related Articles ###### [AP Placement - Location Grade Wi-Fi Tracking](https://blog.iptel.com.au/ap-placement-location-grade) July 24, 2026 ###### [Stadium and Auditorium Wi-Fi Pre-Deployment Surveys](https://blog.iptel.com.au/stadium-and-auditorium-wi-fi-pre-deployment-surveys) Jan 12, 2026 ###### [DP World - Case Study](https://blog.iptel.com.au/dp-world-case-study) Oct 20, 2025 Free tool ### How Many Wi-Fi Access Points Do You Need? Work out APs, PoE and switch ports floor by floor, using the same survey grades our Cisco wireless engineers design to. Takes under a minute. [Try the AP Estimator →](https://iptel.com.au/resources/wifi-access-point-estimator?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=ap-estimator) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Mark McSherry", "url" : "https://blog.iptel.com.au/author/mark-mcsherry" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-03T07:45:45.076Z", "datePublished" : "2025-09-18T04:46:59.000Z", "headline" : "Wi-Fi Grades: Data, Voice and RTLS Explained | IPTel", "image" : [ "https://blog.iptel.com.au/hubfs/Blogs/Wi-Fi%20Grades/Wi-Fi%20Grades%20(Instagram)-feature.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.iptel.com.au/wi-fi-grades", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.iptel.com.au/hubfs/IPTel_Solutions_February2020%20-%20Header%20SiteMap/Images/IPTellogo-byline-2020-dark-v2.png" }, "name" : "IPTel Solutions Pty Ltd" } } ```