The past decade has seen an increasing portion of our lives moving online, facilitated by the advancement of wireless internet. The most recent iteration of this technology is Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax.
What Is Wi-Fi?
The term "Wi-Fi" was coined by the non-profit Wi-Fi Alliance and refers to a collection of wireless networking protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. Introduced in the late 1990s, Wi-Fi has undergone significant improvements over the last decade.
Networking Protocols Overview
| Generation/IEEE Standard | Frequency | Maximum Link Rate | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 2.4/5 GHz | 600–9608 Mbit/s | 2019 |
| Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | 5 GHz | 433–6933 Mbit/s | 2014 |
| Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | 2.4/5 GHz | 72–600 Mbit/s | 2009 |
To highlight the differences between generations more clearly, the Wi-Fi Alliance has adopted a simpler naming convention, dropping the 802.XX designation for a numerical suffix. This makes it easier to identify the technology generation and determine compatibility with devices that support that version.
What Distinguishes Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 6 represents a significant upgrade over its predecessors, although the changes might not be immediately apparent to the average user. These improvements include many incremental enhancements that collectively constitute a substantial upgrade.
One major change is the potential for faster connection speeds with Wi-Fi 6.
Faster Speeds
The increased bandwidth provided by Wi-Fi 6 leads to better upload and download speeds, becoming increasingly important as file sizes grow and the demand for high-quality video streaming and online gaming communication rises. Playing multiplayer games while streaming to platforms like Twitch requires substantial bandwidth and a reliable connection.
How Much Faster Is Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 6 can achieve a maximum throughput of 9.6 Gbps across multiple channels, compared to Wi-Fi 5's maximum of 3.5 Gbps. While these are theoretical maximums, Wi-Fi 6 devices can still enjoy significantly faster speeds even if they don't reach the maximum potential. This is due to more efficient data encoding and intelligent use of the wireless spectrum made possible by more powerful processors. Wi-Fi 6 can reduce latency by up to 75% by handling large amounts of network traffic more efficiently, benefiting gamers with faster game downloads and upload speeds for streaming gameplay.
Wi-Fi 6 Brings Wired and Wireless Signals Closer
This technology potentially frees users from the constraints of being hardwired to their modem, offering more flexibility in connecting directly to routers or network switches via Ethernet cables or taking advantage of wireless networking.
What Makes Wi-Fi 6 Faster?
Wi-Fi 6 improves communication with multiple devices needing data simultaneously and prioritizes traffic more efficiently across these devices.
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) allows for simultaneous transmission to multiple endpoints by subdividing channels into subcarriers. A Wi-Fi 6 router can send different signals in the same transmission window, enabling it to communicate with multiple devices in a single transmission.
Overlapping Basic Service Sets (OBSS) helps improve network congestion by allowing devices to ignore other traffic on the channel if it's not from the same network, increasing reliability and reducing latency.
Beamforming is another technology improved in Wi-Fi 6 for higher speeds. It transmits data streams in a more localized direction based on where the device requesting the data is located, rather than broadcasting data in all directions.
Beyond Speed: Network Benefits
While speed is crucial, Wi-Fi 6 also promises improvements in security and battery life.
WPA3
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) uses passwords for encryption. Wi-Fi 6 introduces increased password security through the Dragonfly Key Exchange system, making passwords harder to crack and offering stronger encryption options.
Battery Life and TWT
Target Wake Time (TWT) technology can potentially increase battery life by allowing for more efficient communication between routers and devices regarding sleep or wake times, reducing energy consumption.
What Is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E is a new Wi-Fi technology that allows devices to use the 6GHz frequency band, providing more bandwidth and helping alleviate traffic congestion and interference.
Making Wi-Fi 6 Work
To take advantage of Wi-Fi 6, consider the following:
- Ensure your router supports Wi-Fi 6.
- Your devices should also support Wi-Fi 6.
- Check if your PC supports Wi-Fi 6, especially if it has the latest Intel CPU and compatible motherboard.
Is It Time to Upgrade Your Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E will significantly impact how we interact with our wireless devices, offering faster speeds, better traffic prioritization, and enhanced security. Upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 is worth considering for gaming, working, or streaming video.