Better, Faster And More?

Wi-Fi 6E is the latest improvement to the Wi-Fi 6 standard, promising faster speed and more reliable connection, but is it a must-have for homeowners? KENNY YEO, tech writer from Hardwarezone weighs in on the issue.

- KENNY YEO

With the increase in the production of mobile gadgets and smart home appliances that can be remotely controlled over Wi-Fi, it is a fact that we have become increasingly reliant on wireless internet connectivity over the years. Having a stable Wi-Fi signal is essential, whether you’re streaming a movie or downloading an important file. In a home setting, several users may also be tapping into the same Wi-Fi network at the same time, which makes the strength of the Wi-Fi a key consideration for when you are thinking of replacing or getting a new router or mesh system.

WHAT IS WI-FI 6E?

Wi-Fi 6E devices are connected through the 6-gigahertz (GHz) band, which is the latest unlicensed spectrum on the market. It is a significant enhancement compared to the two existing Wi-fi bands - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, which our current mobile devices use.

While a Wi-Fi 6 connection can increase the efficiency of data transfer, the biggest advantage of Wi-Fi 6E over Wi-Fi 6 is the ability to form wider 160MHz channels without the need for using DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) channels, which is a function of using 5 GHz Wi-Fi frequencies generally reserved for radar, such as military radar, satellite communication, and weather radar. In simpler terms, this allows the router to more easily hit its theoretical top speeds.