What’s WiFi 6?
The new standard for WiFi is called IEEE 802.11ax, or WiFi 6. It’s a step up from the current standard, IEEE 802.11ac, also known as WiFi 5. WiFi is made to give you lightning-fast speeds, let you connect more devices at once, reduce latency, and give you more bandwidth.
How Did WiFi 6 Get its Name?
WiFi is a hard idea to grasp, and it’s hard to keep up with it. The WiFi Alliance, however, knew that. They decided to “rebrand” the WiFi standards to make it easier for people who aren’t tech-savvy to figure out which WiFi standard is best for them.
Instead of putting products into groups based on the number sequence 802.11 followed by letters, they chose a simpler system. Each WiFi standard will now have a name that includes a number that shows how old it is.
- WiFi 6 refers to things that use 802.11ax technology (issued in 2019)
- Also, WIFI 5 refers to gadgets that use 802.11ac technology (issued in 2014)
- WiFi 4 means that the device uses 802.11n technology (issued in 2009)
- WiFi 3 refers to gadgets that use 802.11g technology (issued in 2003)
- Also, WIFI 1 refers to gadgets that use 802.11b technology (issued in 1999)
- WiFi 2 refers to gadgets that use 802.11a technology (issued in 1999)
How fast is WiFi 6?
Speeds on the Internet are just an idea. They are based on the best possible conditions, so interference is not taken into account. The theoretical speed of WiFi 6 is 9.6 Gbps, which is equal to 9600 Mbps (Megabits per second).The 9.6 Gbps can be used by more than one device.
Each stream has an average speed of 1.2 Gbps (1200 Mbps). The speed of two streams will be 2.5 Gbps, the speed of four streams will be 4.8 Gbps, and the speed of eight streams will be 9.6 Gbps.
In the real world, speed will depend on where you are and what you are doing. The signal strength can be weakened by things like building materials, walls, doors, floors, and furniture. This makes the speed go slower.
Also, remember that your Internet service provider’s speed is like a speed limit for your local area network (LAN). If your internet speed is 600 Mbps, you won’t be able to get more data than what is given. To get the most out of WiFi routers, you’ll need a plan that can keep up with their speed. Those plans don’t exist yet, which is a shame.
What makes WiFi 6 different from WiFi 6E?
The FCC has made it possible for WiFi devices to use the 6 GHz band. WiFi 6 Expanded, or WiFi 6E, is NOT a new version of WiFi 6. It will require that the new WiFi devices have certain chips that will let them use the 6 GHz frequency. At the moment, every WiFi device can only use the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, on the other hand, will be able to use the 6 GHz band, making it the only technology that can use all three bands. The 6 GHz band will have channels that don’t overlap, which will make it less crowded.
The 6 GHz frequency can’t be used by devices that use WiFi 5 or older standards. The bottom line on WiFi 6E mesh network is that they offer a lot of advantages over traditional WiFi setups. These WiFi routers are faster, reliable, and easier to use. If you’re looking for a new WiFi network for your home or office, 6E mesh networks are a great option.
