In 2020 the Wi-Fi Alliance, a group of Wi-Fi platform vendors that work with the FCC and electronics manufacturers to set standards for Wi-Fi technology, announced the Wi-Fi 6E designation. They also designated the Wi-Fi 6E designation for any IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) products that support 6Ghz wireless spectrum.
This means Wi-Fi 6E enables faster speeds and lower latencies that Wi-Fi 6 and earlier wireless technology products.
What Are the Major Differences between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E?
When the Wi-Fi 6 standard was initially released, it was limited by law to a wireless spectrum that only covered the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The 2.4 Ghz band has a limited number of available channels that you have to share with other connected devices. Spectrum congestion can lead to a number of problems such as buffering video, or laggy video conferencing.
Spectrum congestion can also become a factor from other Wireless networks that may cross into your own. Neighbors wireless networks compete for bandwidth in the same limited number of channels. This has lead some manufactures to implement techniques to deauthorize other wireless networks that come within range, such as Meraki’s Air-Guard.
In April 2020 the FCC opened up the 6GHz band for unlicensed use. With that change, more airwaves became available for routers to broadcast Wi-Fi signals with. The additional of the 6GHz band quadruples the number of airwaves, adding an additional 14 80MHz channels, and seven more 160MHz channels for routers and smart devices.
With Wi-Fi 6E utilizing more opened channels on the 6GHz band, you can expect to see improved performance, lower latency, greater network capacity, and more superwide channels.
One of the greatest advantages in Wi-Fi 6E using a wider channel in the 6GHz band, is that you can theoretically achieve greater than 1Gbps speeds. An increased spectrum also means lower latency, for video calls, conferencing, multimedia, large file downloads, remote connectivity, and much more.
Downsides to Wi-Fi 6E?
Although Wi-Fi 6E is widely being adopted as the next new wireless standard, there are still some shortcomings with the new technology. Namely that the 6GHz channel the wireless technology relies on uses shorter wavelengths. Short wavelengths are better for fast data transfers, but have more difficulty traveling long distances. Not only do shorter wavelengths reach less distance, but they also have lower penetration rates as well. This means the signal may have more difficulty going through dense walls or floors.
Many network gear such as wireless access points, routers and firewalls will include both the 5GHz and 6GHz channels if offering Wi-Fi 6E capabilities. This means that devices connecting to those network’s will be able to utilize both when needed. Another nice aspect of Wi-Fi 6E is that existing technologies like laptop’s and smartphones are compatible and capable of connecting to Wi-Fi 6E networks without needing any additional upgrades. Your device connects to a Wi-Fi 6E network the same as any other wireless network.
Natural Networks is a Managed Services Provider, and we are always looking toward the future and what’s to come in the Wireless technology space. We help our customers finding and implementing the right technology and gear for their workspace. If you’re interested in learning how Natural Networks can become your next technology partner, give us a call today!
