Wi-Fi 6 stands for the future and it will replace Wi-Fi 5 day by day. Between the faster speeds, better traffic prioritization, and added security, Wi-Fi 6 is a significant step forward in wireless network technology.
1. What is Wi-Fi 6?
What is Wi-Fi?
The term “Wi-Fi” was created by the nonprofit Wi-Fi Alliance and refers to a group of
wireless networking protocols that are based on the IEEE 802.11 network standard.
Wi-Fi has been around since the late ‘90s but has improved dramatically in the last
decade.
To make the differences between each generation more obvious, the Wi-Fi alliance
recently adopted a more traditional naming convention, dropping the 802.XX
designation for a simplified numerical suffix. This simpler labeling convention (Wi-Fi
6 vs. 802.11ax) makes it easier to know what generation of the technology is being
used and to determine compatibility with devices that support that version.
How is Wi-Fi 6 Different?
The first big change is that Wi-Fi 6 allows for potentially faster connection speeds.
Faster Wi-Fi means better upload and download speeds due to the increased
bandwidth afforded by Wi-Fi 6. This is becoming increasingly important as file sizes
continue to increase, along with the higher data demands of streaming high-quality
video and communication-heavy online gaming. Playing a multiplayer game while
also streaming to Twitch* requires large amounts of bandwidth and a reliable and
stable connection.
So, how much faster is Wi-Fi 6? From the below screenshot you can see the different
speed of Wi-Fi 4/Wi-Fi 5/Wi-Fi 6.
Network Benefits Beyond Speed
2. Speed is probably the most important thing to the average user, especially for
gamers, but there’s more to a wireless network. Wi-Fi 6 also promises improvements
in security of WPA3
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) is a common Wi-Fi security protocol that uses
passwords for encryption. Anytime a password is required to sign into a Wi-Fi
network, that’s WPA in action. WPA2 has been the standard for a long time, but
that’s changing with Wi-Fi 6.
One of the biggest improvements is the implementation of 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.
This extra layer of security is a great example of how Wi-Fi 6 changes things for the
better without negatively impacting the user experience.
Is it Time to Upgrade Your Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi 6 stands for the future and it will replace Wi-Fi 5 day by day. Between the
faster speeds, better traffic prioritization, and added security, Wi-Fi 6 is a significant
step forward in wireless network technology.
Whether you’re gaming, working, or just streaming video, upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 is
worth considering.
For more information, please visit E-Lins Technology!