Wi-Fi has become essential in our connected world. It lets us communicate, stay in touch, and enjoy online activities. Over time, many new versions of Wi-Fi have come with advanced features and improvements. These versions include Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7. Each of these versions offers the latest features and fast connectivity. Let’s have a look at the different Wi-Fi generations and what they have to offer.
What is Wi-Fi 5?
Wi-Fi 5, also called 802.11ac, came out in 2013. This is the fifth generation of Wi-Fi, which has come with many improvements over Wi-Fi 4. Moreover, Wi-Fi 5 uses a 5GHz frequency. Its main features are:
- Uses a less congested frequency band which reduces interference from other devices allowing continuous connectivity.
- Supports wider channels for increased data transfer rates.
- Offers a speed of a maximum of 6.9 Gbps.
- Allows multiple devices to communicate which increases efficiency and reliability.
What is Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 6 is also known as 802.11ax. This came out in 2019 and is one of the latest Wi-Fi generations. It is specially designed for better performance in crowded areas. Wi-Fi on board, ensures seamless connectivity in areas where many connected devices are available. Some of its key features are:
- Provides Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). This feature ensures efficient data transmission by dividing the wireless channel into smaller subchannels, making transmission easy.
- Introduced Target Wake Time (TWT). This enables devices to schedule their transmissions reducing power consumption.
What is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E is an extension of Wi-Fi 6 which comes with some improvements. This Wi-Fi generation operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. This additional spectrum provides more available channels and less congestion. Wi-Fi 6E has some advanced features to make connectivity and communication seamless. More information on Wi-Fi 6E and its benefits can be found on the Premier Inn website here. Some features of Wi-Fi 6E are:
- The new spectrum of Wi-Fi 6E provides a better user experience.
- Provides less latency and real-time responsiveness.
What is Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology. This generation is under development and is not available for consumer use. This generation promises many advanced features and innovations in the world of wireless networking. Some significant features of Wi-Fi 7 are:
- Provide even higher frequency bands for reliable communication.
- Provide ultra-wide bandwidth and advanced modulation techniques.