Wifi 6 is the next-generation wireless standard for internet connectivity. Launched last 2019, it was a considerable upgrade from Wifi 5 with little to no effect no matter the device being used. This is good news to all internet users whether you are in the office or at the comforts of your home.
Wifi 6 and Wifi 6E are significant upgrades from the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz bandwidths. By adding a third one at 6GHz, data travel is faster by tapping into bigger airwaves which quadruples capacity compared to conventional Wifi.
Early adopters of this technology will have access to uninterrupted airwaves (for now at least) as there is plenty to go around with limited users.
We compare Wifi 6 from Wifi 5 and Wifi 6E’s advantages.
The wifi five speed range is 210Mbps – 1 Gbps in the 5 GHz signal. Wifi 6 speed is four times faster, has a larger capacity, and boasts 75% lower latency. As the FCC opens up the 1200 MHz spectrum in the 6GHz band, operating in the 400MHz will be a thing of the past. Many details are still being ironed out regarding capacity issues and allocation, but everything leads to a better internet connection for customers.
Orthogonal Frequency – Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)
This capability allows devices to use bandwidth with increased efficiency by lessening the time between data transmission. With this overall improvement, other devices have more bandwidth to operate. This can be very useful in making the communication between the router and the devices that connect to it more efficient in using power and saving energy.
High-Bandwidth Traffic Efficiency with 8-Stream Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO)
This technology allows routers to communicate with numerous devices at the same time. This feature is handy in large office settings, where many employees use the same router to connect online. Gone are the days when people had to put up with intermittent connections.
Faster Data Transmission and Signal Encoding
Wifi 6 allows devices to send more data in every transmission, increasing performance by at least twenty percent. Though still not as fast as data going through a CAT8 Ethernet cable, at least Wifi 6 is going in the right direction.
Improvements Through Higher Order Modulation (1024-QAM)
The Higher-Order Modulation feature makes the transmission of data in your network more efficient. As a result, people can experience a speed boost of up to twenty-five percent.
Planned Improvements
Several key features were enhanced during its development to improve Wifi 6 and make it significantly better than Wifi 5. Some of these critical features are:
Uplink MU-MIMO
Uplink MU-MIMO is an upgrade that enables more devices to transmit data to the Access Point using Wifi 6; thus, improving the network’s efficiency.
Spatial re-use (BSS Color)
BSS Coloring lets devices functioning in the Wifi 6 Standard differentiate between signals from familiar and unfamiliar networks. This feature enhances your network’s capacity and efficiency.
Target Wake Time (TWT)
Devices that support TWT go into a sleep state until their scheduled “active” time. With this feature, machines can reduce their energy consumption and bandwidth use when in their idle state.
Wifi 6 and Wifi 6E Difference
Wifi 6E (The E stands for Extended) can broadcast in the 6GHz frequency, ranging from 5.925 to 7.125 GHz. This allows a 1200 MHz of added spectrum that devices can use. Not like the existing 5GHz frequency band, which crams channels into a limited range. The new 6 GHz band boasts of faster speeds, more bandwidth, and lower latency. This is something AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality) and 8K streaming fans will be psyched to hear.
They released early 2021 when the first Wifi 6E router was made available to the public via the Asus ROG Rapture GT – AXE11000. It was recognized as being the first router to offer 6GHz edge capability. This spider-like device signaled the future of gaming and showed how quick technological advances are these days.
Wifi 6 vs. Wifi 6E Speed
The main difference between Wifi 6 and Wifi 6E is speed. Wifi 6E allows for 7 added 160 MHz and 14 80 MHz channels that double throughout, making simultaneous transmissions at ultra-high rates entirely possible. To make it simple, watching 8K movies, downloading large files, and AR/VR gaming runs seamlessly without fear of lag or buffering.
Wifi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)
Wifi Protected Access 3 security keeps the use of Wifi 6E safe. WPA3 is the Highest Wifi Alliance Security Certification for internet connections. Hackers would have a pretty hard time breaking into these systems, which is good news for all users of this network.
Backward Compatible
Any person using Wifi 6E devices (laptop, mobile phone, etc.) doesn’t have to worry. Their instruments are still compatible with legacy wireless standards, such as Wifi 4, 5, 6, and Wireless-AC. There are no worries when it comes to the previously used 2.5 and 5GHz bands, either. Wifi 6E-capable devices are compatible with these older wireless models for the time being.
The question that’s really on everyone’s minds is: Are there enough devices that can take advantage of this new technology right now? The answer is entirely up to a smartphone, computer, and router manufacturers. We can expect at least a few months before these companies embrace Wifi 6E and use it in all of their devices.
Exclusive Access
With almost every legacy device using the 2.5 and 5 GHz bands (including Wifi 6 devices), a Wifi 6E-capable device will have uninterrupted access to the 6 GHz band. That’s good news for gamers as it gives them the convenience of wireless internet minus excessive lag that comes with slower internet speeds. The larger spectrum and added channels in the 6GHz band also improve network reliability and efficiency.
Perfect Cloud-Based Solutions
Businesses can significantly improve their processes by taking speed and latency issues out of the equation. With Wifi 6E, companies can use cloud and collaboration apps to full effect with speeds up to 6 times faster than Wifi 5 and almost twice as fast as Wifi 6. Now, backing up files in the cloud, file-sharing, and software updates can be finished in no time and with minimal issues.
The Wifi 6E Range Suffers a Little
One of the sacrifices you have to make for faster connectivity and lower latency is range. The 6GHz band’s range is shorter than what Wifi 6 on 5GHz covers. To be safe, people should avoid placing their routers in enclosed areas (attic, basement, closets, etc.), making it hard to detect the signal.
When your Wifi 6E device doesn’t detect the 6 GHz band, it will naturally revert to the one with the longer-range: 5GHz. Then, your device connects to the 6GHz band when it’s in range again. One suggestion for offices is to put the Wifi 6E router in the middle of the area with the densest concentration of devices connecting to the internet.
Chip 1 Exchange adapts to times and adjusts requirements as they arise. The need for faster internet speeds means constant upgrades from our customers so they can take advantage of the benefits of Wifi 6E.