In the digital world, the home network is like the dinner table. It’s the place where connected devices gather from all around the house, but it can get pretty crowded during the holidays. Think of all the smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, game consoles, and voice assistants that you and your family may own. If you counted, you’d be surprised at the total.
What is WiFi 6?
You might have seen ads on TV or heard about it from your Internet service provider, and for good reason. Simply put, WiFi 6 is the biggest update since its creation back in 1997. The new protocol (called IEEE 802.11ax) boasts higher speeds up to 9.6 Gbps, advanced backend support, improved bandwidth frequencies, and much more. Technical jargon aside, it’s a generational leap that offers the best Internet connection in busy households and workplaces.
Should I upgrade?
WiFi 6 capable products have been available since 2019, so if you bought a new phone or laptop since then, it’s possible that you haven’t been using them to their full potential. The most significant improvements with WiFi 6 are in multi-device stability, connection, and speed. And if your home is filled with smart products, then upgrading is a no-brainer.
Think back to the dinner table example. Before WiFi 6, each device needed to wait in line before taking a seat by communicating with a wireless access point. With WiFi 6, everyone can fit and with plenty of room to spare, thanks to additional improvements in connection scheduling. Even in congested areas like an apartments, WiFi 6 recognizes your network from your neighbors and strengthens connectivity.
You may only see minor speed boosts on a single device, but you won’t experience any slow downs or drops in quality while on a Zoom call and watching Netflix at the same time. That alone is worth the upgrade.
Is there a downside?
Depending on the size of your home and when your network was installed, you may need some additional pieces to get the most WiFi 6 coverage. The improved signal uses slightly more power from your wireless access points, so their range is smaller to compensate. If you noticed any rooms in your home where WiFi couldn’t reach before, now is the perfect time to fix them and upgrade at the same time.
It’s worth noting that not every new device supports WiFi 6 out of the box. Luckily, WiFi 6 is backwards compatible, so all previous generation products will still work perfectly fine. In fact, they’ll even benefit from the improved security on the new connection, so the old iPad you got for Christmas a few years back will be more protected than ever.
Get faster Internet now.
WiFi 6 isn’t science fiction—it’s already here. You may have read this article on a WiFi 6 capable phone or laptop and didn’t even know it. The advancements in speed, reliability, and security for multiple devices make it an essential upgrade for families needing strong Internet. And with so many online activities, the best possible connection at home is a must-have.