All you need to know about WiFi 6
The WiFi Alliance is the organization that oversees the implementation of the WiFi standard, and has now certified the new wireless connection standard (IEEE 802.11ax) that will be known as WiFi 6 and which, among other things, promises to improve the speed with which information is transmitted.
Back in October 2018, the WiFi Alliance announced a change in the naming of the WiFi connection. The new version, previously known as WiFi 802.11ax would now be called WiFi 6, retroactively changing the names of the previous versions to WiFi 4 and WiFi 5.
The Alliance hasn’t officially named WiFi 1, WiFi 2 or WiFi 3, perhaps due to them being too old, even if the WiFi standard now has 6 different main versions. The organization opened the certification program for the new wireless connections that will lead to better WiFi network performances in high-demand environments such as stadiums, airports and parks, where many wireless devices gather.
This tech will improve the capacity, performance and latency of the WiFi ecosystem connections, while also guaranteeing better results for all compatible devices.
Devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Apple’s iPhone 11 are compatible with WiFi 6, as is the upcoming Google Pixel 4, and all upcoming laptops, tablets and other WiFi-capable devices yet to hit the market.
However, in order to enjoy the benefits offered by WiFi 6, we will also need a 802.11ax-capable router. It will soon be the standard tech in all models, except the cheapest ones.
Through tech such as Color BSS, OFDMA or MU-MIMO, performance can be improved in all devices connected to the network. By making better use of each stream, more data can be sent to each device in less time. This will be of great advantage in situations with high-density connections.
Another advantage of WiFi 6 will be the fact that users will be able to customize their use of the networks when it comes to detecting the faster one. This will also impact battery life, which will be inferior to current ones. This new tech is expected to support up to 70 devices in a 100-meter radius.