WiFi 6 officially launched at the end of 2019 and it’s still rolling out across hardware offerings, fueling new developments in virtual reality, video streaming, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Meanwhile, upgrades like WiFi 6E have emerged, opening up new opportunities for faster, more dynamic internet performance.
What is WiFi 6?
What’s the big deal with WiFi 6 and where does the “E” come in?
Amid these changes, many consumers are still learning about the full effects of WiFi 6 technology. And Communications Service Providers (CSPs) are still figuring out how to build it into their business strategies.
To help, we’ll break down just what CSPs need to know about WiFi 6 (and 6E), including whether or not it's really a big deal and how it fits into the future of internet service capabilities.
WiFi 6 is the newest version of the wireless network transmissions provided by the Wi-Fi Alliance. If the label sounds strange, that’s because WiFi versions used to have more complicated names, like 802.11a and 802.11b, which were the first iterations that launched in 1999. WiFi 6 is the latest update since 2014, when WiFi 5 (or 802.11ac) debuted.
This new labeling system makes WiFi versioning more consumer-friendly and easier to understand. The actual capabilities of WiFi 6, however, are more nuanced.
Specifically, these are some notable features of WiFi 6:
Faster internet connection
WiFi 6 operates at 9.6 Gbps, up from 3.5 Gbps on WiFi 5.
Improved communication across devices
WiFi 6 routers can communicate with up to eight devices at a time—an upgrade from four devices—and deliver data to multiple devices at once through a single transmission.
Better battery life
WiFi 6 reduces the time it takes for routers to check in with devices on their networks, thus improving battery performance. This is made possible with a technology called Target Wake Time (TWT).
Enhanced security
A new security protocol, WPA3, provides stronger protection against hackers trying to infiltrate hardware devices and access data.
Are there significant differences between WiFi 5 vs WiFi 6?
WiFi 6 is, of course, different from WiFi 5. Most notably, WiFi 6 operates at 9.6 Gbps while WiFi 5 is at 3.5 Gbps. Now, one device might not use up that 9.6 Gbps, but multiple devices could take advantage of it, allowing for more seamless smart home experiences.
This is especially important as more people are investing in connected devices for their homes. As Plume found in a recent study, the number of devices per US household increased by 38% from October 2019 to May 2021, with security cameras, voice assistants, smart light bulbs, fitness bikes, and smart TVs seeing some of the largest growth.
WiFi 5
3.5
Gbps
9.6
WiFi 6
Gbps
38%
Increase in the number of devices per US household from October 2019 to May 2021
Imagine a scenario where mom is on a Zoom meeting in the home office, her son is gaming on a smart TV in his bedroom, her daughter is streaming Netflix on a tablet in the living room, and her husband is working out on the Peloton in the basement. Meanwhile, the network is receiving a software update from the cloud, the smart thermostat is adapting to changes in temperature, and the cyber-security system is monitoring potentially threatening devices. Yes, WiFi 6 will come in handy there.
What about WiFi 6E?
WiFi 6E is a checkpoint along the path of WiFi 6—one that has the power to transform smart home connectivity. Put simply, it’s WiFi 6 with the added capability of a 6 GHz frequency.
What does that 6 GHz frequency get you? Reduced network interference, better power efficiency, and support for more devices. It’s no surprise, then, that WiFi 6E is already being used to manufacture new chips, devices, and applications with the promise of improved internet access and performance. In fact, of the 5.2 billion WiFi 6 products projected to ship by 2025, over 40% are expected to support WiFi 6E.
>
Of the 5.2 billion WiFi 6 products projected to ship by 2025, over 40% are expected to support WiFi 6E
40%
How can WiFi 6 and 6E fit into your business strategy?
While WiFi 6 initially took some time to roll out, WiFi 6E has the potential to grow rapidly and be a game-changer for CSPs and their customers—especially as they incorporate more bandwidth-hungry devices into their smart homes.
The catch is that WiFi 6E requires advanced network management—more so than WiFi 6 and certainly more than WiFi 5. Because without the right tools and setup, the WiFi 6E experience won’t just fall flat. It will go completely awry, which will frustrate consumers and cause a huge headache for CSPs.
The good news is that there is a solution: a massively scalable, cloud-based platform that uses AI to adapt and update across devices in real-time. Technically speaking, this will allow CSPs to properly manage processes like topology and steering, which are crucial to deploying WiFi 6E.
CSPs can’t wait to start adopting these capabilities, either. If they want to be ready for the future of smart home connectivity, they need to prepare to support WiFi 6E devices, especially as consumers seek to speed up their networks and upgrade their digital experiences.
Looking to the future of WiFi networks
WiFi 7 is expected to hit the market sometime in 2024, according to Qualcomm. But that doesn’t mean CSPs should hold tight until then. Instead, they should take this opportunity to begin future-proofing their businesses and differentiating themselves from competitors.
Again, to truly keep up with changing customer demands, CSPs will need to provide a suite of cloud-based services that they can easily update on-demand across their networks of devices. This way, customers can enjoy reliable, comprehensive coverage wherever and whenever they need it—whether they’re using WiFi 5, 6, or 6E—and CSPs can have the control and flexibility to support them.
Download the whitepaper
Are you prepared for a future powered by WiFi 6E? Download our new whitepaper to learn more.
Better battery life
Enhanced security
This is especially important as more people are investing in connected devices for their homes. As Plume found in a recent study, the number of devices per US household increased by 38% from October 2019 to May 2021, with security cameras, voice assistants, smart light bulbs, fitness bikes, and smart TVs seeing some of the largest growth.
>
40%
Of the 5.2 billion WiFi 6 products projected to ship by 2025, over 40% are expected to support WiFi 6E
Download the whitepaper
Download the whitepaper
Download the whitepaper