Wired or Wireless for CCTV and POS?
When Ethernet beats Wi-Fi for cameras and payment terminals.
What matters in practice:
- If a device does not move and loses money when it drops, run a cable to it.
- Cameras and payment terminals should be wired when practical — a dropped connection during a sale costs money and trust.
- PoE puts power and data on one cable within a 100-metre run, which simplifies camera installs considerably.
Wi-Fi is convenient, but not every device belongs on it. Cameras and payment terminals are places where reliability matters more than convenience.
Why wired is more reliable
Ethernet does not suffer from interference, walls or crowded airtime. A wired link gives stable speed and low latency, and it keeps cameras and payment systems from competing with customer phones.
CCTV
High-resolution cameras send continuous video, which can use several Mbps each. A dozen cameras on Wi-Fi can saturate a network and cause dropped footage. Use cabled IP cameras wherever possible, and keep them on their own VLAN or switch.
PoE explained. Power over Ethernet sends power and data through one cable, so a camera or access point needs no separate power point. You need a PoE switch or injectors, and the cable run must stay within 100 metres.
POS and payment terminals
Payment terminals and POS computers should be wired when practical, because a dropped connection during a sale costs money and trust. If they must be wireless, give them their own isolated SSID with strong security, separate from the guest network.
Cable runs in Ugandan buildings
- Plan cabling during construction or renovation, running conduit before plastering.
- Use quality copper Cat6 cable, not copper-clad aluminium.
- Protect outdoor runs from sun and rain with proper conduit and outdoor-rated cable.
- Label both ends of every cable.
Hybrid design
Most businesses end up with a mix: wired for cameras, POS, desktops and access points; wireless for phones, tablets and laptops. This keeps the Wi-Fi uncluttered and the critical systems stable. It is the standard pattern behind our Networks & Infrastructure installations.
A rule of thumb
If a device does not move and loses money when it drops, run a cable to it.
Next Steps
Backspace Business Solutions designs the wired backbone that keeps cameras and payment systems stable in Ugandan businesses.
Request a Free Site Survey to see which of your devices should be on cable, and what the cabling would take.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not sure which of this applies to you?
Reading about a problem is not the same as knowing what yours actually is. The Solution Advisor asks a few questions about your environment and gives you a preliminary technical interpretation — what to check first, and what can probably wait.
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