A New Standard And A New Name For 2020/2021 Wi-Fi 6e

Here are our thoughts on the standard, its timing and use for our Clients in 2020 and out to 2021.

• Wi-Fi 6 is using all existing 2.4 and 5Ghz Standard spectrum. Wi-Fi 6e is adding the next 1.2 ghz at the 6 ghz spectrum.
• You will need Wi-Fi 6 devices to allow any connection to them and you will need new hardware to support the 6ghz range.
• Our estimation based on 20 plus years of Wi-Fi is this will take at least 4 years for useful deployment for the general population and 2 years for the early adopter market.
• It may come quicker for specific use cases such as inbuilding backhaul or low latency devices.
• It also may come in sooner for newer IOT devices built for specific needs such as door locks, smoke detectors, but pricing is going to be a major issue as always for these low-cost devices.
• With the increased channels we should see a benefit to less congestion and issues of connectivity between devices.
• We have not read any detail on power consumption differences at this time.
• The branding of Wi-Fi 6e is more about inclusionary of the 6ghz to leverage on the name people are already comfortable with “Wi-Fi”.
• The United States will have more available spectrum than Europe at this time so the standards for products will be difficult for international usage. As an example a user in New York may find that there devices need adjustments (less bands available) when traveling to Paris.

All in all this is a good thing for users and relieving congestion on the Wi-Fi networks, the question now is timing and execution.