Introducing Wi-Fi 6E and 5G
Wi-Fi 6E and 5G represent the latest generations of Wi-Fi and cellular network technologies. They both promise faster speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity capabilities compared to prior generations. However, Wi-Fi 6E and 5G are fundamentally different technologies designed for complementary purposes.
What is Wi-Fi 6E?
Wi-Fi 6E builds on the Wi-Fi 6 standard. It adds the ability to utilize the new 6 GHz band, which has 14 additional 80 MHz channels and 7 more 160 MHz channels compared to Wi-Fi 6. This expanded spectrum enables faster theoretical throughput up to 9.6 Gbps with less interference.
What is 5G?
5G is the 5th generation of cellular network technology. It utilizes a new radio interface in addition to 4G LTE and supports up to 10 Gbps download speeds with very low latency. 5G uses a mix of new frequency bands to deliver fast connectivity.
How Wi-Fi 6E and 5G Differ
While Wi-Fi 6E and 5G both enable faster wireless connectivity, they have some key differences, as outlined below:
| Wi-Fi 6E | 5G | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Wireless LAN | Cellular network |
| Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and new 6 GHz | Low-band, Mid-band, High-band millimeter wave |
| Speed | Up to 9.6 Gbps theoretical | Up to 10 Gbps downlink theoretical |
| Latency | ~1-5 ms typical | <1 ms target |
| Range | Up to 100 meters typical | Up to 10+ km theoretical |
Some key differences come down to licensed versus unlicensed spectrum, intended use cases, mobility, and range capabilities.
Comparing Wi-Fi 6E and 5G Capabilities
Now that we‘ve highlighted the main technical differences, let‘s compare Wi-Fi 6E and 5G across some key capabilities.
Speed and Latency
In theory, Wi-Fi 6E and 5G both promise multi-gigabit throughput. But in reality, performance will vary significantly based on your wireless signal conditions. With strong signal quality though, Wi-Fi 6E falls slightly behind 5G in peak download speeds while maintaining moderately lower latency. Either way, most applications should see blazing fast performance over both technologies.
Here‘s a look at the encoding and modulation technologies that help enable these high speeds:
- Wi-Fi 6E – Uses 1024-QAM encoding to transmit more bits per Hertz along with OFDMA modulation allowing more simultaneous device connections by splitting spectrum into sub-carriers. Short guard intervals down to 0.8 microseconds also boost throughput.
- 5G NR – Employs advanced modulation schemes like 64-256 QAM for encoding more data per transmission. 5G also utilizes flexible numerology with scalable subcarrier spacing and slot durations to efficiently multiplex diverse use cases.
So while Wi-Fi 6E and 5G use some different technologies, both deliver on very high multi-Gbps speeds.
Mobility
5G has a clear edge in supporting mobility use cases. Because it leverages licensed cellular spectrum, 5G can maintain consistent connectivity over large areas spanning miles with seamless handoffs between cell sites. Wi-Fi 6E utilizes unlicensed spectrum with access points that each have more limited range up to around 100 meters. So for uses like messaging or maps on a smartphone on-the-go, 5G will provide better reliability.
Making this work involves advanced beamforming. Both Wi-Fi 6E and 5G use multiple antenna elements to directionally steer signals between the transmitter and receiver. This allows more focused energy delivery to maximize range for faster speeds. With 5G though, beamforming aids uninterrupted coverage across the cellular network as users move location.
Connection Density
Wi-Fi 6E supports robust connectivity for dense, high-demand environments better than typical 5G deployments today. With enhancements like OFDMA allowing more devices to efficiently share the Wi-Fi channels, Wi-Fi 6E can support over 2X the simultaneous device connections compared to Wi-Fi 5 and 6 in congested public places. 5G trails behind in total connection capacity currently, making Wi-Fi 6E better suited for crowded areas.
Indoor Penetration
For indoor use cases like in a home, office, or warehouse, Wi-Fi 6E generally provides better signal penetration through walls and obstructions than the millimeter wave 5G spectrum. And by utilizing the newly opened 6 GHz band plus existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels, Wi-Fi 6E can intelligently shift devices to the best performing signal as conditions change.
Looking at the numbers, Wi-Fi 6E signals experience around 2-4X less penetration loss passing through common building materials compared to 24+ GHz 5G spectrum:
| Material | Wi-Fi 6E Penetration Loss | 5G mmWave Penetration Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Glass | 3-4 dB | 12-15 dB |
| Drywall | 4-7 dB | 17-25 dB |
| Solid Wood Door | 5-8 dB | 20-30 dB |
| Brick | 8-12 dB | 25-55 dB |
This gives Wi-Fi 6E significant advantages in reliability over 5G for indoor situations.
Power and Battery Considerations
For battery-powered devices like phones or laptops, the power draw differences between Wi-Fi 6E and 5G are noteworthy.
Wi-Fi radio systems have become increasingly efficient over generations. Wi-Fi 6E continues to optimize power saving functionality during idle periods. But initial tests show idle Wi-Fi power is still over 5X lower compared to 5G radios. Active transmission draws even more power on 5G – essential for supporting ubiquitous cellular coverage but taxing on device batteries.
So if extending use time away from chargers is critical, Wi-Fi 6E holds a strong advantage over 5G. You can expect anywhere from 15-40% longer battery life if using Wi-Fi connectivity when available instead of 5G all day.
Security Considerations
As with any wireless technology, both Wi-Fi 6E and 5G warrant security protections to guard against eavesdropping or attacks on the network traffic and connected devices.
Wi-Fi 6E capable devices utilize the latest WPA3 security standard which fortifies password-based authentication. Key upgrades include:
- SAE – Simultaneous Authentication of Equals replaces the insecure WPA2 handshake protocol
- Opportunistic Wireless Encryption – OWE establishes encryption keys securely before associating with the Wi-Fi network for greater privacy
5G networks are also built end-to-end to implement security measures including:
- Authentication – Verifies device identity before allowing access with a 5G SIM card
- Encryption – Secure algorithms applied across 5G air interface and backhaul links
- Integrity Protection – Checks messages haven‘t been tampered with
While vulnerabilities likely exist in both technologies, keeping firmware and software up-to-date provides the best defense against any emerging exploits. Overall, both Wi-Fi 6E and 5G appear equipped to provide robust security to users when managed properly.
Usage Trends and Future Outlook
Understanding current wireless connectivity usage can indicate where Wi-Fi 6E or 5G may predominate as adoption grows.
Cisco‘s networking index predicts Wi-Fi traffic in North America will grow from 8 exabytes/month in 2022 to 18 exabytes/month by 2027. Video streaming comprises over three-quarters of this demand today. 5G traffic is expected to see 120% compound annual growth globally, reaching 335 exabytes per month by 2027. Augmented reality, virtual reality and video drive much of this 5G appetite looking forward.
As immersive or real-time applications take hold, we can expect to tap into both Wi-Fi 6E and 5G‘s strengths simultaneously more often. Both technologies will likely continue innovating with 802.11be and 6G research already underway, promising continued speed, latency and reliability improvements. This sets up Wi-Fi 6E and 5G to provide a versatile wireless substrate for many groundbreaking use cases on the horizon.
When Should You Use Wi-Fi 6E or 5G?
Based on the comparisons, Wi-Fi 6E and 5G serve complementary purposes. Here are some guidelines on when to take advantage of each:
Wi-Fi 6E
- Activities at home like video streaming, gaming, video calls
- In offices, schools, or public spaces with many simultaneous users
- Latency-sensitive applications like AR/VR or remote control
- Situations where mobility is not essential
5G
- On-the-go messaging, maps, social media
- Low latency mobile gaming
- Bandwidth-heavy downloading away from Wi-Fi
- Location tracking or navigation across wide areas
Used together, Wi-Fi 6E and 5G provide a major upgrade in wireless performance both while stationary and mobile. Each technology powers key roles in keeping us connected.
