WiFi 6: What is it, what is it for and how does it beat the current protocol?

Currently being connected has become one of the keys to Wifi 6. This new technology offers endless possibilities that can open many doors. Also known as 802.11ax, it is a state-of-the-art device, which provides scalability and flexibility at the same time.

These features allow new networks and those already on the market to bring more power to future generations. Something extremely important in an era in which the speed of the connection is life or death for any user.

That is why the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) designed a Wi-Fi model with the intention of taking advantage of the great speed and speed of wireless technology. In this article we will teach you everything you need to know about him.

What is Wi-Fi 6 and what is this new standard for?

The 802.11ax, Also called Wi-Fi 6, it is a new standard for 2019 that offers significant improvements in speed. This device, unlike the previous model (WiFi 5), has the ability to reach a speed greater than 9.6 Gbps, quite an outrage.

This technology combines the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrum bandsand its main function is to give the routers much more capacity, with the intention that there is little interruption at the time the user is using the Internet.

What are the main advantages of sixth generation WiFi?

Among the main advantages that WiFi 6 will provide is the fact that it allows service providers to can accept new applicationsas well as emerging applications within the same wireless LAN network.

It also provides a better level of service when using the old applications. Indistinctly, access areas will achieve more consumers in closed areasresulting in a better experience for wireless LANs.

Also, it will facilitate a more predictable benefit for those applications that are large and much more advanced, as is the case with:

• 4K or 8K video.
• High-density collaboration applications.
• Wireless offices and the Internet of Things (IoT).

This new technology tool will push Wi-Fi into the future of wireless networking. Consequently, this will be compatible with previous Wi-Fi versions, since it will take advantage of the technology that already exists to make them more efficient. In short, its most important advantage will be that it can be used more efficiently on several devices at the same time..

How does this new standard for wireless connections work?

Wi-Fi 6 is already currently positioning itself within the technological market, however, motivated by the fact that it is a new tool, it has had a somewhat high cost, so as time goes by it will adapt and its price will become much more affordable for any type of consumer.

The new tool provides the comfort of optimizing wireless connections so that they can distribute information with greater capacity. Therefore, it will have better stability and a good speed.

Today, this device will have around 9.6GB per second of download, which in itself will triple the network displacement without any inconvenience. This will allow us to have a better connection when watching a movie online, playing games or browsing the web. Internet.

How to know if WiFi 6 is working on my mobile?

Using Wi-Fi 6 on a mobile device will make it much more transferable when local content is downloaded to it. Without a doubt the 802.11ax will provide great efficiency in connection links.

In addition, it will help to achieve speeds of up to 11 Gbps or much more on three devices, having a maximum speed of 5 Gbps on a single device. Although there are few devices to take advantage of this type of technology, it is already available in the Galaxy S10.

WiFi Generations What are they and how are they different?

With the appearance of this standard, another generation of wireless networks is born. Each improvement has been based on increasing the speed of data transmission, and for this they have made changes in the frequency of the waves.

G4

This device is known as 802.11n, being the first technology that allowed the use of 2 bands, the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz, providing connectivity and mobility to the companies that implement it. The 802.11n 2.4 GHz is in a wireless network that is no longer used today, which is why it is obsolete.

It is only used on devices that are not compatible with 802.11ac, although it works with 5 GHz as well, however this is a better option to use.

G5

This is the 5th generation of Wi-Fi which replaces the fourth generation of Wi-Fi, it is also known as 802.11ac updated in 2013 and with a resolution of 5 GHz. It currently provides a speed around the maximum PHY of 3.4 Gbps on an 80 MHz channel using 8 × 8 MIMO, making it fully compatible with the other Wi-Fi models. This tool today has been replaced by Wi-Fi 6.

Likewise, this version has run on networks that are already obsolete, when there is a large number of users. However, it has also improved the 5 GHz band and increased the speed to give high performance, so it is recommended to use it in areas with high density where there are many userssuch as in an auditorium, stadiums, educational centers, among others.

G6

The sixth generation of Wi-Fi is 802.11ax, which has been released in the market this year 2019. This device provides a maximum PHY speed of 4.8 Gbps on a 80 MHz channel with 8 × 8 MIMO. It also has 802.11ax (OFDMA) modulation, but no Wi-Fi backwards compatibility..

However, any type of Wi-Fi 6 router will have the option to go back to Wi-Fi 4/5, with the intention that older devices can be used. As already mentioned, Wi-Fi 6 has a higher price than other similar equipment such as Wi-Fi 5.

Although it is somewhat expensive, it is advisable to try a router with Wi-Fi AX, because it will generally provide better hardware, unlike Wi-Fi AC. However, its performance and benefits are worth it.

This Wi-Fi is a new challenge within the technological area, because its use will be focused on congested and complex areas, so its bands will be much better and its speed will have many new features. One of them is the bidirectional MU-MIMO, which can also be used in a single direction.as used with the Wi-FI 5 standard version.

It should be noted that this in itself is a limitation of the manufacturers’ firmware, motivated by the fact that one of the chipsets that is most used in the Wi-Fi AX is the Broadcom BCM43684. This problem can be solved with new technologies and firmware resolutions..

List of router manufacturers with support for WiFi 6 networks

Being such a new standard, it is evident that not many manufacturers have it. We are talking about a technology equivalent to 5G in digital communications. However, as always there are avant-garde brands that have interesting projects.

We bring you the most relevant brands:

Intel

It is one of the world’s largest suppliers of chips and processors. This company has already shown its version Wi-Fi 6 for routers via of ASUS RT-AX58U however their devices cannot yet be connected to this type of technology. Although in their future plans they are expected to launch a WiFi 6 chip aimed at being used in laptops and devices..

huawei

This company has implemented with its high algorithm technologies and in its products with a single antenna, which is enhanced with 5G, the Huawei AirEngine Wi-Fi 6 series products. These products have made it possible for companies to have Wi-Fi 6 networks without any coverage problems..

In addition, it grants different options that do not have waiting periods, this with the intention that no type of packet is lost when the devices are being used in roaming.

netgear

This company has indicated that it will launch 4 models of routers, all of which will be compatible with Wi-Fi 6 technology (802.11ax). They ensure that their price will be accessible and you can choose the one that is most convenient for the users’ financesso that people can already have this technology in their homes or offices.