For several years, Wi-Fi 6 has been promoted as a solution to wireless networks that have become overcrowded with smartphones, computers and countless smart home devices, all demanding a slice of bandwidth. In 2020, we finally saw a large influx of Wi-Fi 6 devices, just in time for the arrival of a new protocol, Wi-Fi 6E, which companies like Netgear already accept as a huge improvement over crowded wireless networks.
Wi-Fi 6 (also known as 802.11ax Wi-Fi for those who refuse to give up the old naming scheme) has improved to the dual technology of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi 820.11n band by increasing the width tape on each channel to host multiple devices simultaneously with less interference that increased the speed of wireless transfer. Wi-Fi 6 was a big improvement over wireless networking technology, but at the same time it was a kind of bandwidth for older technologies, which quickly became overwhelmed by the number of wireless devices we use. regular and demand for increasing bandwidth.
If 2.4 GHz was the paved suburban road leading to your home, while 5 GHz was the main two-lane art that takes you downtown, Wi-Fi 6E will introduce a new 6 GHz band that is the equivalent of a massive multi-lane highway that allows many people to operate the devices at top speed at the same time. The maximum speeds it will theoretically allow will be equal to what the 5 GHz band offers, but the real benefit of the 6 GHz band is that it will offer 59 non-overlapping channels (compared to 25 non-overlapping channels). overlap on the 5 GHz band, and only three channels on the 2.4 GHz band) that will dramatically reduce interference, which greatly contributes to reducing the bandwidth speed in a crowded network.
The 6 GHz band spans 1,200 MHz, giving WiE Fi 6E compatible devices access to multiple channels with 160 MHz high bandwidth at the same time, which will be much appreciated by anyone jumping on the 8K TV band. But most importantly, while older wifi protocols were compatible with previous versions, no old device will be able to use the new 6 GHz band, only new devices that support it. Using the highway analogy again, your devices won’t get stuck behind a decades-old device that can’t reach the speed limit.
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It seemed to have lasted a few years since then Wi-Fi 6 has become a key word in the industry until consumers could get their hands on Wi-Fi 6 compatible hardware, but Wi-Fi 6E seems to be enjoying a much faster launch. One of the first WiE Fi 6E wireless routers will be Netgear’s new Nighthawk RAXE500, which will arrive later this year. Powered by a 1.8 GHz quad-core processor, the router will be able to deliver multiple gigabit wireless connections to devices using 6E 160 MHz Wi-Fi channels, plus fast cable connections with five additional gigabit LAN ports (including a Multi-Gig Port 2.5G) and a pair of USB 3.0 ports
As with any new technology, there are several good reasons not to go without buying a 6E Wi-Fi router yet. The first reason is the price. Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 will sell for $ 600 at launch, which can also give you a Well equipped 6 mesh Wi-Fi network system with at least three knots scattered throughout your home. The second reason is that there are very few devices that can connect to a 6E Wi-Fi network. Only in recent months have companies such as Intel, Broadcom and Samsung launched (or submitted for FCC approval) devices that can take advantage of Wi-Fi 6E speed. Your new iPhone 12 Pro? Not. All the gadgets you found under the Christmas tree? I am sorry. It will be a long time before consumers can actually reap the benefits of Wi-Fi 6E. So, for now, the best plan is to last as long as possible until 6E routers, such as the new Nighthawk, start to drop in price.