What is Wi-Fi 6E? | What’s new in it? Should you Upgrade?

This article talks about the question of what is Wi-Fi 6e, how it works, and whether should you upgrade to new wireless standards or not. 

Introduction:

When the IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard was first introduced, it could only operate in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands of the wireless spectrum due to legal restrictions. Now, there are just three non-overlapping channels in the 2.4GHz range, and you, your family, and your neighbors all share that bandwidth.

Spectrum congestion was undoubtedly to blame if you've ever had trouble staying connected to a Zoom conversation or experienced a halt in the most recent episode of The Mandalorian due to buffering. Some of those signals will be lost if there are too many devices vying for the same wireless channel's bandwidth.

What is Wi-Fi 6e?

The search for faster & more dependable wireless connections has become more urgent in a world where technology is developing quickly. And right now, Wi-Fi 6E, the most recent development in wireless networking, has the power to completely change how we experience connectivity. Wi-Fi 6E is the outcome of ongoing innovation & a drive to push the boundaries of technology. 

To properly appreciate the significance of Wi-Fi 6E, it is necessary to look back at the events that led up to this point—a confluence of ground-breaking innovations & rising demands that have prepared the way for a period of wireless communication with unmatched speed, capacity, & effectiveness. So be ready to go on a journey as we investigate the causes of this astonishing evolution & how it can change the way we live.

Wi-Fi 6E gives users access to the new 6 GHz band, which in the US and much of the rest of the globe equates to 1200 MHz of clean spectrum and approximately 500 MHz of free spectrum in the EU. This nearly triples the amount of unlicensed spectrum that is currently accessible for Wi-Fi and is the single largest allocation in history. The "E" in Wi-Fi 6E stands for "Extended" because Wi-Fi 6E expands the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band for greater capacity, larger channels, and less interference.

How does Wi-Fi 6e Work?

Apart from the question of what is Wi-Fi 6e, we need to discuss how it works. The 6 GHz frequency spectrum, which was made accessible for unlicensed use by regulatory agencies, is used by Wi-Fi 6E. Comparing this new frequency range to earlier Wi-Fi versions, there are various benefits.

First of all, Wi-Fi 6E offers a larger spectrum with more channels that are open, allowing for less congestion and higher network capacity. As a result, multiple devices can connect at once without compromising performance. It is especially helpful in heavily populated locations with numerous networks nearby, such as apartment complexes or office buildings.

Second, to increase effectiveness and throughput, Wi-Fi 6E makes use of cutting-edge technology including Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO). The simultaneous transmission of data to numerous devices over a single channel is made possible by OFDMA, which maximizes the use of the available spectrum. More simultaneous data streams between the router and devices are made possible by MU-MIMO, making connections faster and more reliable.

Additionally, Wi-Fi 6E adds new capabilities including Target Wake Time (TWT), which lets gadgets schedule when to wake up and save energy, extending the battery life of linked devices.

Do I need Wi-Fi 6e?

You should undoubtedly seek Wi-Fi 6 support when buying a new router or considering mesh networks. Although there are many other ways to increase Wi-Fi speed, purchasing a Wi-Fi 6 router is a crucial one. It offers all the advantages we've spoken about, as well as a couple we haven't, such as increased security thanks to WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) and less battery use because of TWT (Target Wake Time).

A tougher question is whether Wi-Fi 6E should be taken into account. The decreased range has previously been discussed, but another significant issue with Wi-Fi 6E is that it requires new hardware, which is now pricey. On this recently launched 6-GHz band, only routers and gadgets that enable Wi-Fi 6E can use it. Older devices and Wi-Fi 6 routers cannot and will never be able to.

What is the easiest justification for using Wi-Fi 6E? Greater than 1Gbps internet speeds are possible on the 6GHz frequency. Additionally, the expanded spectrum results in lower latency (less than one millisecond) for online gaming, video conversations, and virtual computing sessions where you require a prompt reaction to keyboard inputs, voice commands, and mouse clicks. (Learn more about our method for testing wireless routers.)

Conclusion:

This article talked about the question of what is Wi-Fi 6e, how it works, and whether should we get it or not. Although the upgrade might be pricey, it surely will give your wireless network the upgrade it deserves.