What is WiFi 6? And What’s in it For Me?

Wi-Fi 6 is a wireless networking standard – a set of ground rules for how your devices communicate with your router. The number 6 means it’s the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology (actually called 802.11ax but who can remember that?). As the newest Wi-Fi protocol, Wi-Fi 6 is faster, more capable, and more power efficient. Simply put, Wi-Fi 6 is the best you can get.

Faster speed and lower latency. Reduced latency means there are shorter or no delay times as data is sent. Wi-Fi 6 will help connection quality improve, so you get more information faster.

Fewer dead zones. Wi-Fi 6 routers can better focus signals on a particular device, especially if it looks like that device is having trouble with a connection, making dead zones in your house less likely.

Better battery life. Wi-Fi 6 makes it easier for devices to “sleep” while waiting for a Wi-Fi transmission, which can save a significant amount of battery life for devices.

Overall, with Wi-Fi 6, more devices can utilize your network at higher speeds at the same time. When you have a lot of devices on the same network, Wi-Fi 6 devices will not be subject to the same bottlenecks or limitations experienced by older routers and devices.

If you want to get the benefits of Wi-Fi 6, you’ll need support on both ends: the phone or tablet or computer that’s using the Wi-Fi and the router that’s dishing it out. A network is only as fast as the slowest device in the loop. The good news is that essentially all smartphones, laptops and tablets released from 2020 on will have chipsets that support Wi-Fi 6.

In the end, it’s about speed and efficiency. If you want the fastest Wi-Fi speeds for all of your devices, then Wi-Fi 6 is the answer.

Does LightStream Offer Wi-Fi 6? We do! Contact us at (574) 278-7121 for more information.