Quiet power: How mesh networks are powering industrial IoT

RF mesh networks are emerging as a resilient, decentralised backbone of industrial IoT, quietly powering factories, utilities, and infrastructure.

- BY JANI VEHKALAHTI

Walk onto any modern factory floor today, and chances are you will not hear much discussion about the networks quietly keeping everything running behind the scenes.

While much of the conversation around infrastructure connectivity focuses on cloud platforms and AI-powered dashboards, the real enabler is operating silently in the background—reliable, unassuming, and essential. It is a wireless mesh network.

Over the past few years, mesh networking has moved from an emerging concept to a core layer of infrastructure, quietly transforming industries across the globe. And India is no exception.

WHY RF MESH MATTERS NOW?

Let us set the context. When we talk about Radio Frequency (RF) mesh communication, we are referring to the “last mile” of connectivity. RF mesh connects the actual devices, not replacing the Internet backbone, which continues to be delivered via fibre or cellular, but extending it. A single Internet connection can be shared with hundreds or even thousands of devices through an RF mesh.

In the case of cellular networks, one mobile operator subscription can serve hundreds of devices, dramatically increasing cost-efficiency.

Industrial environments, however, demand a different kind of connectivity. Traditional centralised infrastructure, such as WiFi or cellular, often struggles in the harsh conditions of factory settings. Many industrial areas suffer from weak cellular coverage, and installing reliable WiFi can be prohibitively complex and expensive. Metal walls, interference, and constantly evolving layouts create ongoing connectivity challenges.