Market research firm IDC states that 79% of all Wi-Fi shipments in the next two years will support Wi-Fi 6 – that’s over 3.5 billion Wi-Fi 6 devices.
Consulting firm Deloitte adds that decision makers regard Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 as the most critical wireless technologies for their business initiatives, along with 4G/LTE and 5G.
Wi-Fi 6 uses orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), which supports high-density deployments. This technology offers the bandwidth necessary for multiple users accessing the network simultaneously, helping to reduce power consumption of devices whilst providing high-quality connectivity.
Wi-Fi 6 supports unified communications, cloud computing, augmented and virtual reality, and telepresence. With high data rates, low latency and high network density, this technology is ideal for video applications that need high throughput, as well as for those needing to support a large number of connected devices. Here are just a few examples:
● For enterprises, Wi-Fi 6 offers improved connectivity for employees, guests and visitors, as well as for different smart devices within an office, factory, warehouse or other facility. Wi-Fi 6 is often a more cost-effective approach for deploying Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing compared to cellular. The advantages of the technology will spur enterprises to purchase 13.4 million of the such systems in 2026, up from 4.3 million in 2021, states ABI Research.
● According to Deloitte, municipalities are already using a combination of Wi-Fi 5 and 6 to provide critical communications, including real-time traffic monitoring and for personalised alerts to anyone in a pre-defined, geofenced area.
● Similarly, sports stadiums have deployed Wi-Fi 5 and 6 to provide a more immersive experience, enabling tens of thousands of fans in a single location to have access to social sharing, order concessions, latest statistics, and more. The installation of Wi-Fi 6 access points and analytics support for the Manchester United Club at Old Trafford will begin later this year, to provide fast, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity for fans, whilst increasing the Club’s capability to deliver high-performance, low-latency and secure digital services.
● Healthcare is using Wi-Fi 6 to provide real-time, remote patient monitoring and tele-health solutions, as well as support remote healthcare procedures using medical robots.
● Connected cars are also prime candidates for Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. A recent Ericsson report states that the connected car market will be worth over $166bn by 2025. These vehicles will rely on Wi-Fi 6 connectivity supporting ultra-high definition (ultra-HD) video streaming on multiple displays, screen mirroring from compatible devices, and wireless back-up cameras.
Beyond those in-vehicle devices, Wi-Fi 6’s full MIMO client capability will offer high data rates at extended ranges, which is essential for connecting to external access points for critical automotive services, including vehicle diagnostics, software updates and automatic check-ins at dealerships.
To optimise Wi-Fi 6 performance, enterprises, municipalities and others will want to use industrial-grade modules designed to deliver faster, more secure and more robust Wi-Fi experiences as well as new Bluetooth audio capabilities. The modules should be designed to provide enhanced performance in capacity, data rates, latency, power consumption and coverage, for premium wireless performance.
By Dominikus Hierl, SVP of Sales for EMEA, Quectel
