Wi-Fi ac (802.11ac) is the next generation Wi-Fi standard that promises gigabit speeds through improvements like wider channels and multi-user MIMO. There are four key drivers for its adoption: 1) increased internet usage like online video will strain current networks, 2) the rise of Wi-Fi only portable devices, 3) more smart TVs and devices connecting via Wi-Fi, and 4) current and future congestion problems as more devices use existing Wi-Fi bands. Wi-Fi ac aims to alleviate congestion by moving to the less crowded 5GHz spectrum exclusively, though this band may also become overloaded. It could allow for improved streaming of high quality video wirelessly throughout homes and

1. The Impact of 5th Generation WiFi (802.11ac)
Dr. Mazlan Abbas
MIMOS Berhad
mazlan.abbas@mimos.my @mazlan_abbas Dr. Mazlan Abbas

2. Wi-Fi ac is
inevitable...

3. But questions remain
What will
What is ac? drive
adoption?
When can we What will the
expect it? impact be?

4. Wi-Fi ac a quick primer
• Next generation Wi-Fi, first part of the ac specification to be ratified in
February 2013
• Some chipset vendors have already made available Wi-Fi ac chipsets to their
partners. Devices already on the market
• It has been touted as Gigabyte wireless. Whilst possible, at its base level 1x1
only as fast as 450 Mbps.
• Builds on many of the changes and innovations seen in Wi-Fi n

5. Four drivers for the adoption of Wi-Fi ac
Increased Wi-Fi only
Increased WiFi Only
internet
Internet portable
Portable
usage
Usage devices
Devices
Success of
Success of
Current andand
Current
WiFi
Wi-Fi in Expected
Integration expected
Usage
integration in
Smart TV usage
Problems
Smart TV
devices
problems
devices

6. Four drivers for the adoption of Wi-Fi ac
Increased Wi-Fi only
internet portable
usage devices
Success of Current and
Wi-Fi
expected
integration in
usage
Smart TV
problems
devices

7. 1. Increased internet usage

8. Popularity of online video
Online video users (mil.)
2,500.0
2,124.9
2,000.0 1,919.2
1,722.8
1,539.1
1,500.0 1,365.7
1,195.3
1,000.0
500.0
0.0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
• Video is expected to be the main driver of internet traffic growth
• Unlike web browsing, email, software downloads video is time sensitive

9. 2. Portable devices

10. Portable devices rely heavily on Wi-Fi
Tablets Smartphones Ultrabooks
• Ultrabook laptops often lack Ethernet ports
• Tablets and smart phones users rely heavily on home Wi-Fi and hotspots
• These devices are just emerging so Wi-Fi networks are only going to come under
more strain

11. The smartphone effect
Smart phones sales (mil.) 2010-2016
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
• Wi-Fi ac will only be in smartphones at the earliest in 2013
• With such a large market that even a small percentage will be substantial
• Short life cycles will have a positive impact on Wi-Fi ac install rates

12. 3. Smart TV devices

13. Smart TV devices on the rise
450 Global, in-home connected device sales forecasts
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
-
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Connected TVs BD STB Console Media streamer
• Perhaps not all but certainly many of these devices will be connecting to
the internet over Wi-Fi.

14. Stationary devices are opting for Wi-Fi
• Those that Smart TVs and games consoles that use Wi-Fi have higher
connection rates
• Suggesting users are not only reluctant to use Ethernet, but are comfortable
with Wi-Fi
• HD Video is a key service and improving performance will be essential going
forward.

15. Even Pay-TV is embracing Wi-Fi

16. 4. Current and future congestion problems

17. The congestion problem
• The 2.4Ghz spectrum,
used by Wi-Fi b/g/n is
already congested.
• Congestion causes
interference which has
a detrimentl effect on
users’ Wi-Fi experience
• Less important for
applications which are
not time sensitive

18. Congestion is already a problem
• Wi-Fi ac attempts to solve this congestion problem by abandoning the 2.4Ghz
spectrum.
• It uses the 5Ghz spectrum exclusively.
• At present 5Ghz is far less busy, so moving over to this spectrum should
benefit end users.

19. Number of devices using
WiFi (a/b/g/n)
The negative impact of new connected devices
User experience

20. Edging closer to that tipping point
• Almost at the point where Wi-Fi n is no longer a solution, but a problem
• Some households closer than others
• The average user does not understand the situation
• Expect Wi-Fi to just work

21. Impact of Wi-Fi ac

22. Wi-Fi ac can solve the congestion problem…
Wi-Fi n can only send and receive data from one device
at a time.
• Sending bursts of data to each in turn
• The more devices the slower data transfer is as it takes the router longer
to come back round to the original device
Wi-Fi ac can the demands of multiple devices
simultaneously due to multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO)
• Data is sent and recieved from each device, which receives the full
bandwidth on offer continuously.
• This should speed up data transfer and improve the user experience.
MU-MIMO is one of the major innovations of the Wi-Fi ac
standard
• However it will only be fully ratified in the second draft which will be
ratified after 2012

23. …. But expect 5Ghz to become clogged
• Some European operators that have adopted the 5Ghz spectrum for their
IPTV services are already reporting seeing congestion
• Inevitably the more devices that use the 5Ghz spectrum the greater the
chance of interference and congestion.
• The challenge of what to do once this becomes a problem needs to be dealt
with ahead of time.
• Dual band solutions may be one solution.
• The short range ad standard could be another

24. Behaviour will adapt to new throughput
New technology:
Increased
Throughput
Throughput deficit Temporary surplus
New applications Increased usage of
old applications

25. Video will be accessible from everywhere
• Potent cocktail of:
• More devices, used in multiple rooms
• New lighter form factors will increase portability
• More reliable connections
• Greater throughput
• Plethora of services

26. Conclusions
Wi-Fi ac is a major step forward and can support multiple
devices much better than n.
• However, to avoid congestion down the line use of wireline technologies
should be deployed where they can.
Smartphones will drive adoption of Wi-Fi ac
• They will benefit most as they tend not to have room for multiple antenna
Inside the home the major hindrance to take-up of Wi-Fi
ac will be broadband operators.
• These operators should seriously consider rolling out this technology as it
should significantly impact subscriber experience.

27. References
• “Examining the drivers for the adoption and
potential impact of Wi-Fi ac”, Andrew
Landbrooke, WiFi World Summit, Sept.
2012, Barcelona

28. Thank You

29. Contact
Dr. Mazlan Abbas
@mazlan_abbas
mazlan.abbas@mimos.my