WiFi 6E is here! WiFi is extending into the 6GHz band, providing new WiFi 6E devices a robust multi-lane expressway for faster internet traffic. First came WiFi 6 – a spanking new and faster WiFi version that made an appearance in the market in 2019. Now, in April, after a unanimous vote, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is kicking off a completely new brand of spectrum to accommodate next-gen devices intended to tap into it.
The FCC has agreed to commence an additional 1.2 GHz of spectrum to employ for unlicensed like WiFi. The industry and WiFi Alliance has dubbed it WiFi 6E – E for Extended.
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What is WiFi 6E?
WiFi 6 and earlier WiFi generations make use of the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands. And a WiFi 6E device is able to operate on the 6 GHz band as well.
Despite the fact that the 6 GHz spectrum will work similarly to WiFi 6 over 5 GHz, it proffers additional non-overlapping channels. This newest WiFi standard allows for ’14 additional 80 MHz channels and 7 additional 160 MHz channels’. These channels won’t overlap with one another that helps in reducing congestion, specifically in those areas where an array of networks are operating.
All the devices communicating on the 6 GHz spectrum will be known as WiFi 6E devices. In simple words, WiFi 6E is 802.11ax standard.
How WiFi 6E Makes a Difference
- Wider Lanes for Faster Speeds
WiFi 6E offers 7 additional 160 MHz channels that double throughput and bandwidth, allowing many more co-occurrent transmissions at the highest possible speeds. This enables users to enjoy 8K movies, large file downloads, and AR/VR gaming – all with no buffering.
- Flawless Transition to 5G
Given that more users have become habitual to higher speeds outdoors owing to 5G, they will anticipate a flawless network transition to their indoor spaces. With the additional capacity, WiFi 6E creates an uninterrupted hand-off experience when you roam between indoor and outdoor networks.
- Minimized Congestion With Greenfield Spectrum
Dissimilar to the congested 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, the wide-open 6 GHz spectrum is occupied only by expeditious WiFi 6 connections, removing frustrations currently caused by overcrowding on multiple WiFi networks. Bonus, channels on the newly opened 6 GHz band won’t overlap with one another, cutting down on the network congestion.
- Enhanced Capacity With More Spectrum
WiFi 6E endows you with 1200 MHz of additional spectrum of 6 GHz WiFi, suiting the requirements of ever-evolving WiFi usage.
When Will WiFi 6E Devices Become Available?
The WiFi Alliance also declares that the newest wireless standard 802.11ax or WiFi 6E devices are anticipated to become available quickly, considering 6 GHz regulatory approvals. The industry already looked excited for regulators to allow WiFi 6. During CES 2020, Broadcom announced various system-on-a-chip products that router producers can invest in to establish WiFi 6E-enabled access points.
Besides, Intel has made an announcement that it will have WiFi 6E chips available in Jan 2021. So, it appears likely that WiFi 6E devices will start making a debut in 2021 and turn out to be the most common heading in 2022 – at least in the USA.
WiFi Over 6 GHz Demands New Devices
WiFi devices communicating over 6 GHz will be backward compatible with WiFi 6 and former WiFi standards. However, to make the most of those new 6 GHz channels in WiFi 6E, you will require to be using devices that provide support for it. Putting it simply, you will only be moving your hands on WiFi 6E as soon as you connect a WiFi 6E-supported client device to a WiFi 6E-supported access point.
For instance, even in the event that you have a host of WiFi 6 devices and a WiFi 6E-enabled router, none of your devices will communicate over the latest wireless standard 802.11ax. All your devices will be employing WiFi 6 on the typical 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels.
WiFi 6E: Unlock the Full Potential of WiFi
So, though 2020 may be recalled for years as the year of distorted lives because of Covid-19, at some point, it is expected that we also talk about 2020 as the year of positive effect on lives, owing to WiFi 6E. Therefore, E in WiFi 6E for me is:
- Expansion
- Extension
- Enormous
- And of course, Exciting!
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