Are you experiencing a slow Wi-Fi connection when many students are using Microsoft Teams in the same area, such as large classrooms or auditoriums?

There are several factors that can contribute to slow Internet Wi-Fi when many students using Microsoft Teams in the same area such as large classrooms. Here are some possible explanations:

Multicast packet

Microsoft Teams using multicast packets during video streaming for some of its functionalities or features, such as its network diagnostics tool. The tool uses multicast packets to measure network performance by sending test traffic to multiple destinations on the network and measuring the response time. Additionally, some network devices, such as wireless access points and switches, may use multicast packets for internal communication related to Teams traffic. As a result, the total amount of airtime available which is fixed due to nature Wi-Fi Technology, can run out (or reach 100% utilization).

Limited Wi-Fi airtime:

Unlike wired network, Wi-Fi is a shared (and half-duplex) medium, meaning that all devices operating on the same channel must compete (or contend) for the same limited airtime, and only one device can “talk” at any given moment. Therefore, you need to wait for your turn to send or receive data via Wi-Fi,where only one device “talks” at a time, and must contend with each other for their opportunity to transmit or receive. Obviously, the more devices connected to Microsoft Teams via Wi-Fi, the more contention occurs, which can slow down the network.

Wi-Fi Bandwidth limitations

The amount of data that can be transmitted over a wireless network is limited by the Wi-Fi bandwidth available. When many people are using the same network simultaneously, they are all competing for the same bandwidth, over a limited airtime which can slow down the network. This is particularly true if multiple people are trying to stream video such as Microsoft Teams or upload/download large files at the same time.

Congestion

When many people are using the same wireless network, the network can become congested, which can slow down speeds. This can be particularly true if multiple people are using bandwidth-intensive applications, such as video conferencing like Microsoft Teams.

Outdated hardware

If the students are using outdated hardware, such as old laptops or smartphones, they may not be able to take advantage of the latest Wi-Fi technologies such as Wi-Fi 6, which can result in slower speeds.

In a summary, Microsoft Teams is a platform that enables video conferencing and collaboration. To join a Teams call, only one device in a room or classroom needs to be connected to the platform. This prevents audio interference and helps to avoid slowing down the Wi-Fi for other online activities, like taking notes on Microsoft Note. As a result, participants in the same room can remain productive during the call without interruption.

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