In today’s world of smart homes, remote work, and nonstop streaming, our internet needs are nothing if not diverse. We crave flawless connectivity – and we don’t just want everything available to us at all times, but at a moment’s notice as well.

So, how do the recent improvements to wireless standards like WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E help us achieve that? For starters, they’re much faster, more efficient, and better at handling multiple devices than WiFi 5. Additionally, as the current standard for wireless connectivity, what features does WiFi 6 boast that make it stand out?

What is WiFi 6?

Released in 2019, WiFi 6, or 802.11ax, is the sixth-generation of WiFi standards, and it’s a big step up from its predecessor WiFi 5 (802.11ac). Offering faster speeds, improved wireless capacity, and better overall performance than the latter, it’s a good fit for our ultra-connected homes today.

WiFi 6 Speeds

Compared to WiFi 5, which has a maximum throughput (or data rate) of up to 3.5 Gbps, WiFi 6 brings a maximum throughput of up to 9.6 Gbps.

To illustrate, this means that downloading a 10 GB file from the cloud, which might normally take around 2.5-3 minutes to complete over WiFi 5, would probably only take slightly more than 1 minute to complete on a WiFi 6 connection.

Why Does WiFi 6 Matter?

But “What about WiFi 7? Isn’t that the most recent standard?”, you may ask. Certainly, the introduction of WiFi 7 earlier this year (and perhaps even WiFi 6e in 2022) means WiFi 6 is no longer the “most advanced” wireless standard. Yet, why is it still expected to remain the baseline for years to come?

That’s because WiFi 6 brought with it a number of technologies that not only improved on WiFi 5 but also laid the foundation for many features in WiFi 6e and WiFi 7 – so let’s see what those are.

What Are the Key Technologies in WiFi 6?

1. OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access)

Arguably the most impactful technology introduced in WiFi 6, OFDMA is what enables your router to connect with multiple devices on the same channel simultaneously.

Think of it like having a multi-lane highway — one where each of your connected devices gets its own lane to drive in. Among other changes, this means everything flows faster and more smoothly, even during “peak hours”. Naturally, this feature is especially useful in modern homes, which often have multiple connected devices, from smartphones and tablets to desktops and smart TVs.

2. Enhanced MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output)

With WiFi 5, MU-MIMO technology allowed routers to handle multiple downloads at once, but not uploads. WiFi 6 addresses this issue by further enhancing MU-MIMO, making it possible for us to accommodate simultaneous uploads and downloads, while also allowing more effective bi-directional communication for all connected devices.

In other words, lag is now cut down by a huge margin whether you’re uploading or downloading content, making WiFi 6 fantastic for video calls, gaming, and other activities where transmission delays can be a deal-breaker.

3. Target Wake Time (TWT)

Beyond better speed and bi-directional connectivity, WiFi 6 also brings improved energy efficiency for smart devices via TWT. This feature lets devices “wake up” only when they need to access the network, rather than maintaining a constant connection.

The end result? Longer battery life and better energy efficiency in general, making it perfect for homes with gadgets that would normally have to stay connected around the clock, like smart refrigerators.

4. 1024-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation

In WiFi 6, 1024-QAM is a technology that allows more data to be packed into each data stream, improving speed and performance over WiFi 5’s 256-QAM technology. This would be similar to having a courier with a larger delivery van than before, allowing them to carry more packages during each trip.

Notably, this leads to a 25% boost (from 8 to 10 bits) in transmission capacity, and though it might not seem like much, it is a significant one. When you’re streaming high-definition video or downloading large files, 1024-QAM allows for clearer visuals and more responsive connections than 256-QAM, which means better experiences for you and your loved ones at home.

How Does WiFi 6 Compare to Other Standards?

WiFi 5 vs. WiFi 6

As a whole, WiFi 6 brings significant improvements over WiFi 5, especially for homes with multiple connected devices.

Notably, while WiFi 5 (802.11ac) introduced faster network speeds, these were optimised primarily for individual device use. On the other hand, WiFi 6 focuses on boosting the overall network efficiency via technologies like OFDMA and the expanded MU-MIMO.

This enables it to manage multiple devices more effectively, which means smoother performance even when many are simultaneously connected. In addition, WiFi 6 also offers faster maximum speeds and better energy efficiency, improving battery life on devices like smartphones and other IoT gadgets.

WiFi 6 vs. WiFi 6e

Introduced in 2022, WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E are fundamentally similar in their core features, but the latter adds a new 6 GHz frequency band into the mix.

This extra “lane” on the wireless highway reduces interference from other devices by providing more open channels. However, as the 6 GHz band isn’t as good at penetrating walls and other obstructions in our homes, it has a lower range than the existing 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands used in WiFi 6. This makes it better suited for home broadband setups utilising high-speed, low-latency wired connections, such as for VR, AR, and ultra-HD streaming.

Interested in learning how WiFi 7 stacks up to WiFi 6? Check out our article here: Everything You Need to Know About WiFi 7.

Setting Up WiFi 6 at Home

Since WiFi 6 is set to remain the baseline for wireless connectivity for the time being, here’s what to look out for when you’re shopping for WiFi 6 devices and tech.

WiFi 6 Router

When shopping for a router, keep an eye out for those labelled as “WiFi 6-compatible” or which include its technical designation (802.11ax). If you think you might need extra coverage for those “dead spots” at home, mesh routers are also a good consideration.

WiFi 6 Devices

Just like your router, it’s important to ensure your devices are able to support WiFi 6. Fortunately for us (and of course, you!), many new smartphones, laptops, and smart home gadgets are already WiFi 6-ready by default.

WiFi 6 Cables

To get the most out of your network subscription, or if you need the fastest possible speeds for gaming and streaming, a wired connection is usually the way to go. In order to do so, you’ll want to pick up Category 6 Ethernet cables – these will do fine for most home setups and are easily available at your local tech retailer.

Start Future-proofing Your Home with StarHub!

Despite the arrival of WiFi 7, WiFi 6 is still the go-to standard for modern home or office networks. With faster speeds, better efficiency, and improved support for multiple devices, it’s not only a massive boost from WiFi 5, but also an excellent stepping stone towards WiFi 7.

The best part? It’s easy to get your home kitted out for WiFi 6 (and beyond!) with StarHub. Not only will we provide the necessary hardware when you sign up with us, but our highly-skilled Hub Troopers will also be there to handle the setup – so all you’ll need to do is kick back and enjoy your speedy new WiFi connection!

This article was originally published on 4 Sep 2023, and updated as of 19 Nov 2024.