7 Common Business Network Problems in Bahrain and How to Solve Them

When your office Wi-Fi connection is down while on a call with a client, or your files take ages to sync, you aren’t the only one facing such issues. Business network issues in Bahrain may be quite common but not everyone wants to acknowledge the issue. Companies operating from crowded office blocks in Seef or warehouses in Sitra face the same recurring business network problems repeatedly.

But then there is a silver lining too, and that is all these problems have solutions once the root cause of each is identified. Here, let’s take a look at some common business network problems in Bahrain and their effective solutions.

1. Slow Internet Speeds and Bandwidth Bottlenecks

Why is this happening? It is too many devices, applications in the cloud, video calls, and backups trying to use the same bandwidth, but for a company that is larger than what it was designed for.

In general, when companies grow, they don’t get a new internet package along the way, but the number of devices increases. What used to be a very fast connection now becomes very slow after adding all of these extra services.

How to fix it:

• Check the real bandwidth usage before purchasing an upgrade
• Prioritize business traffic using QoS (Quality of Service)
• Use business grade connection instead of a residential
• Separate guest Wi-Fi from company network

2. Weak Wi-Fi Coverage and Dead Zones

Concrete partitions, open spaces, and multi-story buildings create dead zones in Wi-Fi signals. One router at one end of the building just cannot ensure even distribution of coverage on all floors and this is one of the most common problems in the networks in Bahrain, as the buildings were never built with the intention of being modern and connected.

How to fix it:

• Do a site survey before placing your access points
• Do not use just one router; use a mesh or multi-access-point system instead
• Place access points according to the correct layout of the building

A proper Wi-Fi network setup will result in your employees not losing the internet connection in the middle of work and people using your guest Wi-Fi getting the correct signal.

Why a Site Survey Matters More Than the Hardware

While a good number of businesses purchase expensive routers thinking that it will resolve their problem, but placement is way more important than the hardware used.

3. Network Downtime and Unexpected Outages

Network downtime is arguably the most harmful frequent problem with business networks in Bahrain, as not only does it slow you down but halts business operations in its tracks. Just a single network failure during working hours might result in lost communications, delayed transactions, or even a locked up point of sale terminal.

How to fix it:

• Create redundancy with a second internet line or a failover solution
• Deploy monitored network devices to detect issues before complete failure
• Proactively manage the network rather than react to problems

Creating redundancy is actually much cheaper than you think – and significantly less expensive than losing business for a day.

4. Cybersecurity Threats and Data Breaches

A cyberattack is not only an issue for large corporations. Small and medium size businesses in Bahrain are being increasingly attacked because it’s much easier to hack into their network. Some typical points of attack include phishing emails, insecure routers, and out-of-date firmware.

How to fix it:

• Installation and continuous updates of a corporate-level firewall.
• Network segmentation in order not to allow the hacker to go beyond one point of failure.
• Implementation of strict password policies and multi-factor authentication.
• Periodic scanning for vulnerabilities instead of one-time configuration.

As you can see, security measures require constant work and that’s why many companies prefer to outsource it.

5. Poor Structured Cabling and Outdated Infrastructure

Almost every persistent network issue can be traced back to an issue with cabling infrastructure that hasn’t been touched in years. Faulty, incompatible or unmarked cabling causes intermittent connectivity issues that can drive you crazy trying to find.

How to fix it:

• Update old Cat5 cabling technology to newer Cat6 or Cat6A for improved performance
• Make sure to label all cables and note their location
• Employ a properly structured cabling system

This is less obvious solution but it can definitely solve your “random” network problems.

6. Lack of Scalability for Business Growth

The network infrastructure that worked for ten people will hardly remain relevant when a company employs thirty more people or even establishes its second office and warehouse. Scalability is one of the typical business networking issues in Bahrain and the issue which becomes obvious too late, when it’s already too expensive and too difficult to change.

How to fix it:

• Plan the network infrastructure according to future staff and office locations
• Select switches and access points that allow easy expansion in the future
• Consider multi-location capabilities from the very beginning if the branch network expansion is expected

Here planning ahead doesn’t mean spending money uselessly now; it means avoiding costly network reinstallation after eighteen months.

7. Inadequate IT Support and Slow Troubleshooting

Even an efficiently designed network requires someone to monitor it. Companies lacking an IT support team end up waiting for days to get their problem sorted out, depending on whomever “knows” computers in the office.

How to fix it:

• Collaborate with a Managed IT & Network Support Firm
• Establish remote monitoring for catching problems before they become big ones
• Maintain an agreed response time to keep problems from lingering unresolved

Efficient IT support makes network problems a simple ticket issue.

Final Thoughts

All of these common problems experienced by business network setups in Bahrain have one thing in common, which is that they can be avoided. No matter whether you’re experiencing a slow connection speed or dead Wi-Fi spots in your workplace, there is no need to think about installing expensive hardware. In most cases, all you need is to do everything right.

If your company has to deal with one of these problems, it will be a good idea to get a network setup review rather than trying to solve problems on your own. At Smart Controls Bahrain, we provide businesses in the Kingdom with network designing, installation, and support services that are able to withstand even heavy usage load. Don’t hesitate to check our services, and if you want to discuss your current network situation, contact us for an evaluation or quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the most common business network problem in Bahrain?

Slow Wi-Fi and slow internet speeds are the most common issues, especially in old office buildings or offices with concrete walls. This issue is caused by poor network design during installation, not faulty equipment, and it can be solved by doing a network assessment.

2. How can I tell when to upgrade the business network?

If you experience constant network dropouts, slow file transfer, Wi-Fi dead spots or recurrent tickets from IT, then it’s time for a network upgrade. If your staff is constantly working around issues, it means that the network infrastructure is lagging behind your business.

3. Why does a small office need structured cabling?

Structured cabling is needed to reduce intermittent network faults, speed up troubleshooting and avoid patchwork wiring that leads to unexpected outages.

4. How often does a business need to check its network for security threats?

At least twice a year, but businesses dealing with sensitive information from their customers should be doing it much more frequently. There is a need for updates on firmware, passwords, firewall configurations, since security problems can build up stealthily.

5. Is network downtime preventable?

While it may not be possible to avoid downtime entirely, one can at least minimize it by ensuring there is redundancy like an alternative internet connection. The majority of downtime happens because of a warning sign that has been overlooked.