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Get ready, Wi-Fi 6E is coming

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Camil Kouchad

Network and Security Expert

What's going on?

Europe has just authorized the exploitation without license of the 6 GHz frequency band (in the 5925-6425 Mhz range) in order to make the arrival of the Wi-Fi 6E standard possible very soon. Some manufacturers like Aruba have already announced the first Wi-Fi terminals compatible with their 630 series.

Switzerland should follow this path soon and decide in favor of using this same frequency range.

Wifi 6 vs Wifi 6E : Flashback !

This new evolution of the 802.11ax standard includes all the improvements that came with Wi-Fi 6:

  • MU-MIMO (Multi User – Multiple Input and Multiple Output)
  • Allows communication to more devices at the same time (up to 8).
  • OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access)
  • Allows for faster data transfers and reduced latency to multiple devices.
  • TWT (Target WakeUp Time)
  • Smart sleep mode to reduce power consumption of Wi-Fi hotspots and limit interference with neighboring devices.
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  • BSS-Coloring (Basic Service Set Coloring)
  • In simple terms, if several access points are operating on the same channel, they can transmit data with a unique "color" identifier. This allows them to communicate at the same time without waiting, because the colors allow them to differentiate data from each other.
  • WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access version 3)
  • Evolution of the WPA standard by using the Dragonfly Key Exchange authentication system, also called SAE or Simultaneous Authentication of Equals.

«E» for Extended !

This means that a new 1200 MHz spectrum is available in the 6 GHz band, thanks to this larger frequency range, Wi-Fi 6E can deliver even higher data rates than Wi-Fi 6 (up to 2.4 Gbits/sec).

  • Border spectrum (6 GHz)
  • Higher bandwidth
  • Less interference on the 6 GHz band
  • Reduced latency
  • 14 additional 80 MHz channels
  • 7 additional 160 MHz channels

However, there are some potential drawbacks to using the 6 GHz spectrum:

  • A reduced scope
  • The non-possibility to use the 6 GHz band with the Wi-Fi 6 architectures already deployed. This requires new Wi-Fi terminals with a tri-radio architecture (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz)

What are the fields of application?

High density environments wanting to provide new services:

  • Airports, Stadiums, Connected Buildings, Conference Centers...
  • Cities and towns with a high density of people using the available Wi-Fi infrastructure
  • Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
  • IOT

Compatible equipment:

As of January 2021, the Wi-Fi Alliance has launched its Wi-Fi 6E certification program and maintains a list of compatible products. This means that the standard is therefore ready for widespread distribution in the market.

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