In connection with the events of 2020, many will have to look for the best home Wi-Fi, since several people can work simultaneously in the same apartment/house on different devices. For faster Internet, a new Wi-Fi 6 technology is proposed, which we will talk about today.
What is Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 6. Also known as 802.11 ax, is the latest generation of Wi-Fi standards and the first generation to be released using the new generation naming method of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Past generations were referred to by their alphabetic position in the 802.11 hierarchy, in accordance with the IEEE specifications and naming conventions. These include 802.11 b (Wi-Fi 1), 802.11 a (Wi-Fi 2), 802.11 g (Wi-Fi 3), and 802.11 n (Wi-Fi 4).
This update focuses on giving home gadgets more bandwidth, space to move data. This means that more devices on your network can simultaneously run at maximum speed. And this is just the beginning. The next version, dubbed Wi-Fi 6E, will allow devices to use an entirely new wireless spectrum. Its integration is scheduled for 2021.
Wi-Fi 5 – why hasn’t anyone heard of it?
It’s simple: it didn’t exist before Wi-Fi 6. The Wi-Fi Alliance in charge of writing the Wi-Fi rules used a more inconvenient naming scheme. What is now called Wi-Fi 5 was known as 802.11 ac. And he appeared back in 2014. The Wi-Fi 6 name was coined in order to save us all from having to say the complicated “802.11 ax”.
Why is Wi-Fi 6 better than the one I already have?
Wi-Fi 6 supports data transfer speeds up to 40 percent faster than Wi-Fi 5, but high-speed Internet is not the only thing that will make your life easier. The flagship feature of Wi-Fi 6 is its efficiency. Its ability to expand the bandwidth of the home network and divide it across more devices – which means that more gadgets in a small space can simultaneously run at maximum speed.
When is Wi-Fi 6 coming?
It already exists. Nearly all smartphones, laptops, and tablets released in 2020 will have Wi-Fi 6 chipsets. Routers certified for the new technology are also starting to appear. Devices started accepting it back in late 2019, and many gadgets, as well as all iPhones of the current generation, already support it. And Wi-Fi 6E will start operating in 2021.
How do I get the benefits of Wi-Fi 6?
If you want to take advantage of Wi-Fi 6, you need devices that support the new standard on both sides: a smartphone, tablet, or computer that uses Wi-Fi, and a router that distributes it. It should be understood here that the network speed depends on the slowest device on this network. Better routers have the ability to create two networks at once – one for high-speed gadgets, and one for slow ones.
Should you upgrade your hardware?
No, not now, at least not at the time of this publication. Many of the older gadgets you own won’t support or even need the potential top speeds of Wi-Fi 6. What’s more, Wi-Fi 6E coming in 2021 will provide even more improvement, and you better wait. until it happens.
Does Wi-Fi 6 have anything to do with 5G?
Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are designed for similar purposes – higher data rates and support for more devices at the same time, but they are two completely different technologies. Wi-Fi 6 is the best way to connect to the Internet indoors, and 5G is the best way to connect to cellular networks when you’re out and about. Devices that support Wi-Fi 6 won’t necessarily support 5G, but if any gadget has support for 5G, then it almost certainly has support for Wi-Fi 6.
Which Wi-Fi 6 router should you choose?
Today we are on the cusp of implementing remote work on an ongoing basis, so investing in a good router will keep you productive for years to come.
- Orbi AX6000.
- AmpliFi Alien.
- Eero Pro 6.
- Huawei – AirEngine Wi-Fi 6.
These are some of the most famous ones today, but you always have dozens of other routers to choose from, which will continue to grow over time.
