Other Wi-Fi Standards Used
IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5):
This standard has been widely used since 2014 and is still the top choice for many wireless devices today. With bandwidth capabilities of up to 1.3Gbps, Wi-Fi 5 introduces MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output), which allows devices to send and receive data simultaneously. The standard also increases the number of channels in the 5GHz frequency and supports multiple antennas in a single device.
IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 & Wi-Fi 6E):
Wi-Fi 6 has been implemented since 2019 and provides a significant performance improvement compared to Wi-Fi 5, with a theoretical speed of up to 10Gbps. One of its key features is the efficiency of managing multiple connected devices at the same time, suitable for smart homes and modern work environments. Wi-Fi 6 also introduced OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), which allows for more efficient spectrum sharing for multiple users. Wi-Fi 6E, as an extension of Wi-Fi 6, supports the use of additional spectrum at the 6GHz frequency, which reduces interference and increases speed.
IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7):
The standard is expected to be the next step forward in Wi-Fi technology, with a launch expected sometime in 2024–2025. Wi-Fi 7 will double the existing bandwidth, allowing data rates of up to 40Gbps by using multiple spatial data streams. Wi-Fi 7 is expected to be a solution to the needs of very dense networks and applications that require large bandwidth, such as virtual reality, online gaming, and 8K video streaming.
Comparison of Different Wi-Fi Standards
Each Wi-Fi standard has different advantages and disadvantages, depending on the user’s needs. Here is a comparison table about Wi-Fi standards:
| Wi-Fi Standards | Year of Introduction | Operating Frequency | Maximum Speed | Excess | Deficiency | Current usage |
| IEEE 802.11 | 1997 | 2.4 GHz | 2 Mbps | The first Wi-Fi standard to introduce wireless technology | Very slow, does not support modern technology | Deprecated |
| IEEE 802.11a | 1999 | 5 GHz | 54 Mbps | Reduced interference due to using the 5 GHz frequency | Limited range, signal blocked by physical objects | Rarely used |
| IEEE 802.11b | 1999 | 2.4 GHz | 11 Mbps | Wider range than 802.11a | Very low speed, high interference at 2.4 GHz | Deprecated |
| IEEE 802.11g | 2003 | 2.4 GHz | 54 Mbps | Speeds higher than 802.11b and compatible with older devices | Still susceptible to interference at 2.4 GHz frequencies | Still used in some older devices |
| IEEE 802.11n | 2009 | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | 600 Mbps | Supports MIMO, higher speeds, and wider range | Speed depends on the number of channels available | Still in use, but superseded by 802.11ac/ax |
| IEEE 802.11ac | 2014 | 5 GHz | 1.3 Gbps | Supports MU-MIMO, wider channels at 5 GHz frequencies | Limited to 5 GHz frequencies, interference from walls or obstructions | Widely used as Wi-Fi 5 |
| IEEE 802.11ax | 2019 | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | 9.6 Gbps (theoretical) | Higher speed, efficiency in dense networks, better support for OFDMA and MU-MIMO | Implementation is still in its early stages, devices must be compatible | It is being widely adopted as Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E |
| IEEE 802.11be | Estimated 2024-2025 | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | Up to 40 Gbps (theoretical) | Ultra-fast speeds, support for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications | Still under development | Will be the Wi-Fi 7 standard in the future |
The Advantages of Future Wi-Fi Technology: Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7
Technology continues to evolve, and Wi-Fi standards are also improving to meet the needs of increasingly complex networks. The Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E standards have brought many changes in network capacity and efficiency, especially in places with many connected devices. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of the latest Wi-Fi standards and predictions for the future.
1. Advantages of Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- High Speed: Wi-Fi 6 can theoretically reach speeds of up to 10Gbps, which is a huge improvement over Wi-Fi 5. It is perfect for applications that require large bandwidth such as 4K/8K video streaming, online gaming, or virtual reality (VR).
- More User Capacity: One of the key advantages of Wi-Fi 6 is its ability to connect more devices simultaneously without compromising performance. The OFDMA feature allows devices to better share spectrum.
- Energy Efficiency: Wi-Fi 6 introduces the Target Wake Time (TWT) feature that helps devices conserve energy by determining the time to “wake up” to receive data. This is especially useful for IoT (Internet of Things) devices that use batteries.
- Improved MU-MIMO: Wi-Fi 6 enhances MU-MIMO features, allowing more devices to send and receive data simultaneously without sacrificing speed.
2. Advantages of Wi-Fi 6E
- Additional Spectrum at 6GHz: Wi-Fi 6E is an expanded version of Wi-Fi 6 that takes advantage of the 6GHz spectrum. It provides access to more channels that are not interfered with by devices operating at 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Thus, Wi-Fi 6E offers higher speeds with less interference.
- Lower Latency: With fewer interruptions and a more stable network, Wi-Fi 6E allows for a more responsive connection.
3. Wi-Fi 7 Predictions and Advantages (802.11be)
- High Speed: Wi-Fi 7 is predicted to be able to reach data speeds of up to 40Gbps, making it ideal for future applications such as 8K video, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and big data transfers.
- Greater Bandwidth: Wi-Fi 7 is expected to double the bandwidth compared to previous Wi-Fi standards, so more data can be sent in a single transmission.
- More Data Streams: Wi-Fi 7 technology will support more data streams simultaneously, allowing for the transmission of information to multiple devices without compromising speed.
- Interference Reduction: With its ability to operate in a wide range of frequencies and better spectrum usage, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to reduce interference and maintain network stability even in congested environments.