Comparison of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G: how wireless technologies are developing

SSPDaily has prepared a comparison of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G. Find out the difference between these technologies by studying their differences in application, coverage, and speed.

Areas of application

Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, is designed for high-performance, low-latency indoor network connections. It is ideal for residential, office, and public spaces with a large number of devices requiring simultaneous connectivity.

In contrast, 5G technology is aimed at providing fast and reliable Internet access outdoors. It is optimized for mobile connectivity for smartphones and other devices on the move.

Coverage area

Wi-Fi 6 operates in unlicensed spectrum and has a limited range, usually within buildings or specific areas. In contrast, 5G operates on licensed spectrum and has a wider coverage area that extends beyond buildings to remote locations. This makes 5G an optimal choice for providing Internet access in rural areas where wired connections may not be feasible.

Data transfer speeds

When it comes to data transfer speeds, 5G networks deliver significantly faster speeds of up to several gigabits per second. With these capabilities, 5G is well suited for bandwidth-intensive applications, including 4K video streaming and online gaming.

However, Wi-Fi 6 can still offer impressive speeds with potential throughput of up to 9.6 Gbps. And while Wi-Fi 6 can't match 5G speeds in open spaces, it still delivers reliable streaming video, gaming, and file transfers indoors.

Advanced technology

Both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G use advanced technologies to improve efficiency and reduce latency. Both technologies use Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) technology to increase network capacity, allowing multiple devices to transmit data simultaneously.

In addition, both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G use Target Wake Time (TWT) technology to optimize power management, beamforming, and multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) to increase network coverage and optimize data performance, ensuring a seamless mobile experience.

Accessibility.

When it comes to deployment, Wi-Fi 6 is easily accessible and can be easily implemented in a variety of locations, such as homes, offices, and public places. Upgrading your existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to Wi-Fi 6 can bring immediate benefits in terms of speed, capacity, and reliability.

On the other hand, 5G technology is still in the early stages of deployment and availability varies by region. Establishing a reliable network of 5G towers and base stations requires significant infrastructure investment.