The Wi-Fi 6E standard adds support for the 6GHz spectrum, along with faster wireless speeds and lower latencies. But you’ll need a new router and Wi-Fi 6E compatible devices to take advantage of those new radio waves. Should you update now?

(Credit: José Ruiz)

If you’re looking for a new router or any other device that uses Wi-Fi, you first need to understand the new Wi-Fi 6E standard and what it means for the future of wireless networks in the US home and office. .

The Wi-Fi Alliance, a group of Wi-Fi platform providers that work with the FCC and electronics manufacturers to set standards for Wi-Fi technology, announced Wi-Fi 6E designation in 2020 for any IEEE 802.11ax ( Wi-Fi 6 ) products support the 6 GHz wireless spectrum. Basically, this means that Wi-Fi 6E enables faster speeds and lower latencies than Wi-Fi 6 and earlier.

Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E: What’s the difference?

When the IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard was first announced, it was limited by law to a wireless spectrum that only covered the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Now, in a 2.4 GHz band , you really only have three non-overlapping channels, and that bandwidth is shared by you, your family members, and your neighbors.

(Credit: Wi-Fi Alliance)

If you’ve ever had trouble staying connected to a Zoom call or had the latest episode of the mandalorian pause buffering, spectrum congestion was probably the cause. If too many devices compete for bandwidth on the same wireless channel, some of those signals will be lost.

It’s not just about how many family members are connected to your home Wi-Fi network. Any other Wi-Fi network in range (such as the one streaming from your neighbor’s wireless router) competes for bandwidth on the same limited number of channels.

(Credit: Wi-Fi Alliance)

So, in April 2020, the Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to open up the 6GHz band for unlicensed use. With that policy change, you open up significantly more radio waves that routers can use to transmit Wi-Fi signals, and that’s a big deal.

The opening of the 6 GHz band is the largest addition of spectrum to Wi-Fi since 1989. The jump from 5 GHz to 6 GHz may not sound like much, but it essentially quadruples the amount of airwaves (14 additional 80 MHz channels and seven additional 160 MHz channels) available for routers and smart devices. That means less signal interference.

(Credit: Wi-Fi Alliance)

Bottom line: early-adopter devices using Wi-Fi 6 (like the first batch of Wi-Fi 6 routers) are limited to 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrum, while Wi-Fi 6E-enabled devices they’ll have access to all those juicy 6 GHz waves.

What are the benefits of Wi-Fi 6E?

The simplest reason you’ll want Wi-Fi 6E? The 6 GHz band allows for Internet speeds greater than 1 Gbps. Not only that, but increased spectrum means lower latency (less than a millisecond) for online gaming, video calls, or virtual computing sessions where you need an instant response to keyboard commands, voices, and more. or mouse clicks. (See more about how we test wireless routers.)

Even with faster connectivity, you’ll probably only notice the benefits of Wi-Fi 6E when it comes to home network capacity, namely in the form of less spectrum congestion. Whole-home gigabit coverage and multi-gigabit Wi-Fi capability mean regular homeowners can finally have the kind of next-generation computing experiences we’ve only seen at places like vendor demos or trade shows. Imagine gaming VR anywhere in your home, or participate in augmented reality business presentations, all without any bandwidth drops due to other family members watching Netflix or neighbors watching YouTube.

Wi-Fi 6E: What’s the problem?

There’s usually a hidden “gotcha” with any new technology that sounds too good to be true. If Wi-Fi 6E has an Achilles heel, it’s that the 6GHz wireless spectrum uses shorter wavelengths. Short wavelengths are ideal for fast data transfers, but they have a harder time traveling long distances and suffer more interference from physical obstructions like walls or dense floors in a building.

Compounding the range issue, Wi-Fi 6E is mired in regulatory approvals that further hamper its performance. The 6 GHz spectrum in the US still has some licensed users authorized to transmit at full power, including Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) and mobile wireless carriers. To limit interference, the FCC has imposed power rules for Wi-Fi devices that operate in the 6 GHz band. Simply put, this means that 6 GHz routers and access points designed for indoor use are considered low power devices and cannot operate at power levels equivalent to those allowed while operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

(Credit: Wi-Fi Alliance)

As a result, the range of the 6 GHz signal is severely limited, even indoors. In testing, we haven’t seen any Wi-Fi 6E router or mesh system that can broadcast a signal on 6GHz as much as it can on 5GHz or 2.4GHz. This means that if you buy a Wi-Fi 6E device on this At this time, expect to be able to connect reliably on the 6 GHz band only when you’re in the same room as the router.

However, there is good news; The FCC is working to finalize the Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system, which will allow Wi-Fi devices operating in the 6 GHz band to operate at higher power levels (also known as standard or maximum power), making it It allows for longer range and better overall performance. Once the new AFC standard is fully approved, providers can push a firmware update to existing Wi-Fi 6E routers to allow them to operate at higher power levels.

How to get Wi-Fi 6E

Now that you know Wi-Fi 6E is a must-have technology for the future, let’s talk about how you can get your hands on it now. Countries like the US, Brazil, and Korea have already opened up the 6GHz band, but many other countries have been slow to open up their wireless spectrum for commercial use. As a result, most of the Wi-Fi 6E devices you’ll see today are being marketed to US customers.

Wi-Fi 6E devices are backwards compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and earlier Wi-Fi standards, but to use the new 6 GHz channels, you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6E router and a Wi-Fi 6E client device (ie i.e. computers, phones, smart home devices, and other Wi-Fi 6E-enabled devices). That means even if you have a relatively new Wi-Fi 6 router, you’ll still need to upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6E model.

(Credit: Netgear)

Below are some routers that make a good foundation for a home Wi-Fi 6E network. But you won’t be able to use your cutting-edge speeds without connected devices that also Support Wi-Fi 6E. We tested many of these routers with a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Any phone using the latest versions of Qualcomm’s FastConnect chipset will also be able to use the 6 GHz band. Several laptops now also support Wi-Fi 6E, primarily those equipped with the Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 (Gig+) chipset. ).

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Should I upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E?

The easy answer to this question right now is yes, but only if you’re looking for a new standalone router. Wi-Fi 6E routers are no longer high-priced for early adopters and prices continue to drop considerably, which means you should be able to find a great option for under $200. Plus, more and more Wi-Fi-enabled devices 6E that you can connect to your router are hitting the market.

In the short term, though, Wi-Fi 6E won’t help you much if you venture into the next room, let alone going outside, due to its current range limitations. So if you’re looking to expand your work-from-home capabilities to your backyard, you’ll probably be better served by a mesh Wi-Fi system, if you don’t already have one, than by switching to Wi-Fi. Fi6E router. A good mesh system will direct each connected client to the appropriate band based on factors such as distance and signal interference, doubling some of the benefits of the 6GHz band.

That said, if you’re in the market for a new router, want something future-proof, and don’t mind paying a premium, then by all means consider a Wi-Fi 6E model.

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Source: englishtalent.edu.vn