DENOG18

Beyond Bandwidth: Why it doesn't solve user experience in Wi-Fi, WAN, and LAN Environments

This talk examines latency as an end-to-end property of enterprise networks, not just a wireless problem. While wireless networks often receive the most attention, the actual user experience is shaped by the interaction between radio conditions, roaming, access layer design, switching behavior, QoS handling, and overall WAN & LAN architecture.
Using Wi-Fi 7 as a current reference point, the session shows why bandwidth alone is not a meaningful success metric and why latency, jitter, and responsiveness must be evaluated across the full network path. The goal is to provide network operators and engineers with a practical lens for understanding where user experience breaks down — and how to design networks that behave well under real operational conditions.

The speaker's profile picture
Falk Bachmann

Falk Bachmann is a graduate engineer in information technology, a certified Cisco Internetwork Expert (CCIE), and a Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE). He has more than 25 years of experience in planning, implementing, and optimizing complex network infrastructures. Prior to the official ratification of the 802.11 standard, he deployed one of the first wireless networks in Germany, making him one of the early pioneers in the WLAN field.
Throughout his career, he has delivered innovative projects for more than 100 customers in over ten countries across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, finance, and transportation. His work has consistently focused on designing stable, secure, and highly available solutions tailored to the specific requirements of each client.
In addition to his technical work, Falk Bachmann is active as a trainer, mentor, and speaker. He has trained numerous colleagues and customers and has supervised more than ten bachelor’s theses. His international project experience and long-standing involvement in the global WLAN community make him a recognized expert in resilient network architectures and IT security.