WiFi 6E: Basis for your wireless innovations
Updated: Jun 6
New connectivity. New experience. New WiFi which capabilities you've never seen before. It is how various media described WiFi 6E - the latest standard of wireless networks. Even the promising perspectives of its implementation make business leaders participate in dozens of discussions regarding its value and use cases. Following the EE Times, by 2025, the market share of smartphones that support WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E will reach 80%. It means the progress is much closer than we can imagine.
Therefore, it's time to explore what WiFi 6E is about and what business benefits it can bring to be the first who catch this trend and turn it into the mainstream. Scroll down to discover more details.
What WiFi 6E is in plain language
WiFi 6E is the improved version of the recently buzzed WiFi 6 - a reliable connectivity channel with a high throughput that can work with an unlimited number of connected devices. It's a result of extended WiFi 6 to the 6 GHz band.
The updated technology follows the same rules and standards but uses a broader spectrum. Curious that in currently used bands, channels are in a limited spectrum, while the 6 GHz band doesn't have any limitations. Consequently, WiFi 6E provides a 1200 MHz additional spectrum and an ocean of new business opportunities.
Source: Huawei
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WiFi 6E implementation: business benefits and use cases
High speed
WiFi 6E provides businesses with a lightning speed of data transfer. Recently Intel compared its WiFi 5 and WiFi 6E products and concluded that Intel WiFi 6E is five times faster than Intel WiFi 5 on managed networks and about three times faster than Intel WiFi 5 for facilities. It means that WiFi 6E speed can support high-definition video displaying and seamless work of AR/VR.
Low latency
Consequently, a wider spectrum allows companies to benefit from low latency along with higher speed. It's crucial for the supply chain, gaming, and communication industries since they all strive to provide real-time digital experiences for users. This way, companies can implement complex approaches and increase the quality of their products without worrying about playback speed.
Wider capacity
As seen, a broader spectrum means a lot for capacity. WiFi 6E can work uninterruptedly, no matter how many connected devices it serves. So, for example, when IoT provides a native-like experience for sports watchers and real-time insights for coaches & players, WiFi 6E can support the audience at stadiums with a smooth connection. In other words, it's suitable to cover large events with many attendants: conferences, sports games, concerts, etc.
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Does WiFi 6E have a future?
"As with any new technology, we think, it [the WiFi 6E usage rise] will be gradual. However, the moment that manufacturers have WiFi 6E embedded in their equipment, the WiFi 6E devices will be available everywhere because this is the nature of the license-exempt applications."
Mohammad Al Janoobi
General Manager of Radio Spectrum Planning, CITC
According to the WiFi Alliance report, a couple of years ago, the US became the first to open 6 GHz to WiFi. It was a driver of the above WiFi 6E development. Consequently, other countries like Saudi Arabia, the UK, Australia, and Japan did the same to speed up the evolution process.
At first sight, this technology has a future since even governments are open to this initiative. Moreover, experts are convinced that the implementation of WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E moves much faster than it was with the previous WiFi generations. Following Dino Bekis, VP & General Manager of Mobile & Compute Connectivity Business Unit at Qualcomm, quick implementation of WiFi 6E can ensure an increase in value for businesses.
On the other hand, following Dell'Oro Group, the lack of devices that supports WiFi 6E because of supply chain limitations will make business leaders skip WiFi 6E and jump from WiFi 6 to WiFi 7, which will be available in 2023.
"In addition to supply constraints inhibiting the rate of adoption of WiFi 6E, we have learned that compliance with regulations to operate within the 6 GHz spectrum is slowing the deployment process. Compliance processes have yet to be standardized and easy to implement."
Tam Dell’Oro
Founder and CEO, Dell'Oro Group
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Wrap Up
Geopolitical challenges, inflation, and global business crisis make the future of WiFi 6E ambiguous and its implementation even inconsistent to some extent. However, this technology will be used. Its cost and terms of implementation are not affordable for any-size businesses, but telco companies, enterprises, and public authorities still have enough time and resources to join this trend to ensure highly-secured and smooth connectivity.
If you're looking for a way to tailor software and business processes to WiFi 6E implementation - let us know. The JEVERA team will advise you where to start to achieve results faster.