We, humans, have started using applications that demand more bandwidth, games that require faster internet, and videos that need faster internet for effective streaming. This requires faster internet than ever before. Wi-fi 6 is the next generation of Wi-Fi known for its super-fast speed. This fast speed will likely be more impactful in the future when the technology has unfolded completely. The technology is designed to go beyond faster speed; it embraces future-facing upgrades to ensure the speed doesn’t grind as we move up the technology ladder.
Wi-Fi 6 has already arrived, and chances are that your smartphone already has this technology. If you do not have it already, chances are that you will get it in your next upgrade.
Eager to learn what this technology holds? We have uncovered every detail of Wi-Fi 6 in the blog to ensure you get your hands on the most relevant information about the topic. Read the blog to know how this technology gives you faster browsing while ensuring the longevity of your battery.
Table of Contents
What is Wi-Fi 6?
You must be aware of Wi-Fi technology. Wi-Fi stands for wireless fidelity, allowing you to connect your devices to the internet. Wi-Fi 6 is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology, and it will do the same old thing, that is, connect you to the internet. But with the help of technologies that will boost the connection speed.
This must have answered your question about what is wifi 6 —interested in more technical details? Let’s continue.
Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, is the latest iteration of the Wi-Fi standard, succeeding Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Wi-Fi 6 significantly improves speed, efficiency, and network capacity, which makes it an ideal choice in today’s market trends.
The key benefit of Wi-Fi 6 is that it provides faster data transfer speeds, with up to a 40% increase in data throughput compared to Wi-Fi 5. This is achieved through advanced modulation techniques, such as 1024-QAM, which allows more data to be transmitted over the same frequency band.
How Fast is it?
Wi-Fi 6 has a speed of 9.6 GB/s, which is 6.1 Gb/s more than it was in Wi-Fi 5. In Wi-Fi 5 technology, this speed stood at 3.5 Gb/s.
Both these are theoretical maximums of speed and are not likely to be achieved in the real world. The real question here is, do we even need those high speeds? Not now, but maybe later in the future.
Even in theory, Wi-Fi 6 has a much higher speed than the previous technology. Though a single device cannot consume 9.6 Gb/s, it can be spread across multiple devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This gives a much faster speed to each connected device.
It isn’t About Top Speeds
Along with the increasing speed, Wi-Fi 6 technology also ensures even network distribution when multiple devices are connected. Wi-Fi 6 arrived at a time when our lifestyles are changing with increased reliance on devices.
To better understand this, we need to have a look at what our lives looked like some years ago. A report says that when Wi-Fi 5 was launched, an average household used five devices in the home. Today this number has raised to 10 devices per household.
This ever-increasing usage demands a technology evenly distributes the internet connection to all connected devices. This is where the Wi-Fi 6 jumped in. The technology helped spread networks effectively even when the number of devices increased.
Wi-Fi 6 routers help in effective communication with the devices. It helped send data to multiple devices in the same broadcast. These features keep the connections strong even when multiple devices start demanding data from the router.
How Do I Get Wi-Fi 6?
To get Wi-Fi 6, you need to buy a new device with the required hardware. Wi-Fi generations rely on new hardware; therefore, you need to switch your mobile or laptop if it doesn’t already have the necessary hardware.
The new launches already have Wi-Fi 6, so if you have recently switched your device, you need to be sure it already has it. Along with your devices, you also need to change your router to enjoy Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
If your router doesn’t support Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, there isn’t any use for Wi-Fi 6-enabled devices. There is no point in rushing and changing all your devices and router if you don’t have more users. Continue relying on Wi-Fi 5 until you start experiencing connectivity problems or if the number of devices in your house increases.
What do you need to get it?
Though there isn’t a need for Wi-Fi 6 if the number of devices is limited, however, if you still feel like you have multiple devices at home for which you should upgrade. We list the important factors you must consider before enjoying Wi-Fi 6.
- Does your router support Wi-Fi? A Wi-Fi 6 capable router is the first and most important thing when upgrading to Wi-Fi 6. Most modern routers have Wi-Fi 6 capability, so plenty of options are available in the market. When purchasing a new router, ask the provider whether the router supports Wi-Fi 6 or not.
- Does your device support Wi-Fi 6? Secondly, you should have a device that can use Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 is becoming a standard, meaning that all modern smartphones will likely have it to compete with market trends.
- Does your PC Support Wi-Fi 6? If you have the latest gen CPU and a compatible motherboard, you have almost everything to function Wi-Fi 6. An external M2 antenna will still be required if your motherboard doesn’t already have it.
Technology that makes it
Two Key technologies are backing up the speed of Wi-Fi 6. Namely, these two technologies are MU-MIMO and OFDMA.
MU-MIMO stands for multi-user, multiple outputs, and it is already used in modern routers devices. Wi-Fi 6 has upgraded the technology to give efficient results to multiple users. With the help of this technology, the wifi 6 router can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously rather than sending the data to one device, then to the next, and so on.
The addition of this technology is like adding delivery trucks to a fleet. You can send each truck in different directions to different users. Without Wifi 6, you had four delivery trucks for four customers. Now you have eight trucks to do the same. This increases the speed and reduces the delivery time.
The second technology back Wi-Fi 6 is OFDMA, which stands for orthogonal frequency division multiple access. This technology allows the transmission to deliver the data to multiple users simultaneously.
OFDMA uses one truck to deliver goods to multiple locations, and this technology has enabled the truck to carry these multiple goods to be delivered (Data packets). For example, when delivering a data packet, if a truck is loaded to 75% percent of its capacity, the rest 35% is filled with the data to be delivered to another user.
This technology is used to get more out of every transmission that carries Wi-Fi signals from the source (router) to the destination (device).
Interesting Read: The Complete Guide to 5G Wireless Technology
How is Can Also Improve Battery Life
Improving battery life is another essential feature of Wi-Fi 6 technology. This feature allows the devices to plan out the communication with the router so that power consumption can be reduced. What usually happens is that the device keeps the antennas powered on for the transmission of signals, which consumes more.
Planning out the communication allows the device to turn on the antenna whenever required. This means less drain on batteries leading to increased battery life. All this is backed up with the “Target Wake Time” feature, allowing the routers to schedule check-in times with the devices.
This feature is helpful only when the device is constantly connected to the internet. The ideal use case for this feature is small devices that continuously need to update their status. Think of sensors connected to the internet or modern smart home features that constantly rely on the internet.
Get Better Security.
Data security has become a primary concern with increased reliance on the internet. Of course, no one wants to lose important data and get blackmailed at the hand of hackers. Various Phones for Privacy and Security have reduced this concern. And the increased reliance on Wi-Fi 6 has further amplified the outcome.
Another feature, WPA3, was incorporated into this technology, making it difficult for hackers to guess passwords. Even if they get their hands on the data, they are less likely to obtain user information.
Modern devices and routers support WPA3 but are subject to user consent. This means that users can enable the feature if they wish to. Most Wi-Fi 6 routers have this feature since the WPA 3 is required to get certifications from the Wi-Fi alliance.
Wi-Fi 6 is Just Getting Started.
Devices that support Wi-Fi 6 are already launched in the market. You can already buy Wi-Fi 6-enabled routers. However, they are expensive and high-end devices. A handful of laptop models also support this generation of Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi 6 has also arrived on the latest flagship models. Samsung has always followed the latest trends in mobile technology, and S10 was one of the first mobile phones with Wi-Fi 6. With each passing day, Wi-Fi 6 is becoming more common, which is a good sign for users since it will enhance battery performance.
Bottom Line
Wi-Fi 6 is the latest and most advanced wireless technology available, offering faster speeds, increased capacity, and improved performance in high-density environments. It is designed to support the growing number of devices in our homes, providing a better overall user experience.
While upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 may only be necessary for some, it is a worthwhile investment for those who rely heavily on their internet connection and want to stay ahead of the curve. As more and more devices become Wi-Fi 6 compatible, it is only a matter of time before it becomes the new standard for wireless technology.
