Tips and technical advice from Kevin Jozefowicz, Strateres Training and Product Specialist
Faster Speeds
9.6 Gbps is the maximum throughput of Wi-Fi 6 across multiple channels. In contrast, Wi-Fi 5 offers a maximum of 3.5 Gbps.
Speeds can be faster when compared to Wi-Fi 5. Wi-Fi 6 can achieve higher data transfer speeds through a variety of techniques, starting with more efficient data encoding and intelligent use of the wireless spectrum made possible by more powerful processors.
Wi-Fi 6 can result in up to 75% less latency. It achieves this by handling large amounts of network traffic more efficiently. For gamers, this means faster game downloads, better upload speeds for streaming gameplay, and more reliable media multitasking.
Wi-Fi 6 brings wired and wireless signals closer to parity. This potentially frees more users from the constraints of being hardwired to their modem. Many gamers or content creators still connect directly to routers or network switches via Ethernet cables instead of taking advantage of the flexibility that wireless networking provides. Wi-Fi 6 helps further bridge the gap between wired and wireless connectivity.
What Makes Wi-Fi 6 Faster?
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) is one of the ways this is achieved. OFDMA works by subdividing channels into subcarriers and allowing for transmission to multiple endpoints (devices) at the same time. This results in a single transmission from the router being able to communicate with multiple devices, instead of each device having to wait its turn as the router serves up the data across the network.
Overlapping Basic Service Sets (OBSS) is another Wi-Fi 6 feature that can help to improve network congestion. OBSS enables the access point to use a “color” in order to uniquely identify the network. If other traffic is detected on the channel, but it is not the same color of the local network, devices can ignore it and continue transmission. This can help increase reliability and improve latency.
Beamforming is another technology that Wi-Fi 6 improves in order to achieve higher speeds. Instead of broadcasting data in all directions, the router detects where the device requesting the data is located and transmits a more localized data stream in that direction.
Network Benefits Beyond Speed
How is Security Improved? WPA3 offers increased password security via the Dragonfly Key Exchange system, also called SAE or Simultaneous Authentication of Equals. This authentication method helps make passwords harder to crack by using a more sophisticated method of establishing the handshake with the Wi-Fi network. This added layer of security, coupled with stronger encryption, means Wi-Fi will have more robust security options than ever.
Battery Life and TWT (Target Wake Time) This technology allows for more efficient communication between your router and device regarding when to sleep or wake up. By effectively communicating with the device’s Wi-Fi radio and only activating it when it needs to be awake, your device will spend less time and energy searching for a wireless signal. This can enhance battery life.
What Do I Need to Make Wi-Fi 6 Work?
Does your router support Wi-Fi 6? The most important upgrade you’ll need to take advantage of this new protocol is a Wi-Fi 6 capable router.
Do your devices support Wi-Fi 6? You’ll also need devices that have the ability to use Wi-Fi 6. Though Wi-Fi 6 is backward compatible with the older 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6 capable device to take advantage of everything we’ve listed here.
Does your PC support Wi-Fi 6? If you have the latest Gen Intel CPU and compatible motherboard, many of the pieces required for Wi-Fi 6 to function are already included although an external M.2 antenna is still required.