FEBRUARY TECHNOLOGY GROUND SCHOOL – Wi-Fi 6 and 5G

If you like fast connection and download speeds, then you are most likely intrigued when you hear terms like Wi-Fi 6 and 5G. However, is it necessary or worth it to invest and take advantage of the latest and greatest? Before taking any leap to invest in an upgrade, it is best to understand what exactly it is and the benefits they will bring to your organization.

We are going to break this article up into two parts. In Part One, we will discuss Wi-Fi 6, and in Part Two, we will cover 5G. Our hope is that you will gain a better understanding of each role, how it relates to the hardware purchases you make, and the processes you execute in your organization.

PART 1 – Wi-Fi 6

Before we dive in, it is best to understand what Wi-Fi is. Wi-Fi is a wireless network that allows multiple devices to share a single connection to the internet and themselves. Wi-Fi 6 is the sixth generation of wireless local area networking technology. If you would like Wi-Fi 6, then you will need to purchase a new router.

Over the years, this networking standard has evolved, producing improved versions. Wi-Fi 6 operates on the same carrier frequencies as Wi-Fi 5 (2.4GHZ and 5GHz). However, Wi-Fi 6 makes better use of the channels by allowing more data to pass through them.

Wi-Fi 6 delivers about four times the amount of wireless performance in congested settings than Wi-Fi 5. This is because of improvements to the directional antennas Multiple-in Multiple-out (MIMO) capability. Regarding frequencies, Wi-Fi 6 works with 1GHZ and 6GHz. Companies will use these frequencies in the future.

If your company uploads or downloads a lot of data, it may be worth taking a closer look at Wi-Fi 6.

Here are some ways Wi-Fi 6 can make your internet faster:

• Doubles the number of downstream connections and increases the number of upstream connections by a factor of eight.
• Delivers four streams to a given device at the same time.
• Improve your experience by providing connected devices like smart TV’s, speakers, and self-service checkouts with faster wireless internet.

Here are some other important new features of Wi-Fi 6:

• Makes it easier for a router to communicate with more than one device
• Allows routers to send data to multiple devices at once
• Creates an access point to designate a particular period where individual devices can connect to the wireless internet improving network efficiency and extending the battery life for devices
• Improved security with Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3). Wi-Fi 6 supports WPA3 and enhances user privacy in open networks.

*Important Note: Wi-Fi 6 may not be compatible with all devices. Please verify before choosing to upgrade.

Now that you are informed on Wi-Fi 6 and what it offers, here are some questions you should ask yourself before deciding to deploy Wi-Fi 6:

1. Is a congested network a significant problem in your organization?
2. Are your employees or customers complaining of poor service?
3. Do you access a lot of cloud file shares where speed and performance accessing these resources feels limited?

PART 2 – 5G

5G is the 5^th generation mobile network. It is the new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G, that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices. 5G wireless technology is designed to deliver higher multi-gigabit speeds, lower latency, higher reliability, and a more efficient and dependable experience to users.

Here is a brief history of the previous generations of mobile networks.

• 1G – First Generation (1980’s) – Analog Voice
• 2G – Second Generation (Early 1990’s) – Digital Voice
• 3G – Third Generation (Early 2000’s) – Brought Mobile Data
• 4G – Fourth Generation (2010’s) – Mobile Broadband

5G is designed to transform our life with its fast download speeds, capacity, and connectivity for billions of devices. A defining capability of 5G is that it is designed for forward-thinking actions and the ability to flexibly support services like virtual reality (VR), the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and even services unknown as of today.

Besides having speeds up to 100x faster than 4G, the top 3 features businesses utilize and love about 5G include:

1. Faster access to more information
2. Lower latency for immediate responses
3. More reliability and increased availability

To take advantage of 5G, you need a device (handheld, phone, or tablet) that supports the 5G network.

Advantage Route Systems has hand-picked handheld devices that are compatible with 5G and durable in the field. You can view those options here (https://advantageroute.com/product-category/handhelds/)