Is WiFi 6 still relevant in 2024?

We are edging into the year 2024. In today's world, technology is evolving rapidly, as technology giants need new offerings to capture consumers' interest, and to win over their competitors. The same goes for WiFi. Despite the impending arrival of WiFi 7, WiFi 6 remains a relevant and valuable technology for several reasons.

1. Widespread Adoption and Compatibility

WiFi 6 is widely adopted, with many devices, including smartphones, laptops, routers, and smart home devices, already supporting the standard. This means that most users can already benefit from the improved performance and efficiency of WiFi 6 without having to upgrade all of their devices. WiFi 7 while interesting, and with its added bandwidth provides greater throughput performance, most consumer products are not readily supporting this latest standard.

2. Future-Proofing and Scalability

The proliferation of smart devices, streaming services, and bandwidth-intensive applications has placed a significant strain on WiFi networks. WiFi 6 addresses this demand by efficiently managing multiple devices simultaneously, ensuring that everyone and every device gets the bandwidth they need for seamless connectivity and uninterrupted performance. WiFi 6 is designed to handle the increasing demands of modern networks. This also makes WiFi 6 a future-proof investment that can support the growing number of connected devices and bandwidth-intensive applications in homes and businesses. With the advent of technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 8K video streaming, the demand for high-speed, low-latency connectivity is only going to increase. WiFi 6 is well-positioned to support these emerging technologies, providing the necessary bandwidth and responsiveness to ensure a smooth and immersive user experience.

3. Significant Performance Improvements

WiFi 6 offers significant performance improvements over previous standards, with up to 4x faster speeds and lower latency. This translates into faster downloads, smoother streaming, and more responsive gaming experiences. WiFi 6 employs several innovative techniques to alleviate network congestion and improve efficiency. OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) divides channels into smaller sub-channels, allowing multiple devices to transmit data simultaneously without interference. Similarly, Target Wake Time (TWT) enables devices to schedule data transmissions, reducing unnecessary power consumption and improving overall network efficiency.

4. Enhanced Security

Wi-Fi 6 introduces several new security features, including WPA3, which provides stronger encryption and better protection against unauthorized access. This is especially important as more sensitive data is stored and transmitted over WiFi networks, particularly in business environments and homes with connected devices that handle personal information.

5. Cost-Effectiveness

WiFi 6 devices are becoming increasingly affordable, making it a cost-effective option for upgrading home and business networks. With the widespread adoption of the standard, prices are expected to continue to decline.

6. WiFi 7 Adoption Timeline and Its Relevancy

While WiFi 7 is expected to offer even faster speeds and additional features, it will take some time for the new standard to be widely adopted. WiFi 7 chipsets are still under development, and devices compatible with the standard are not expected to be widely available until 2025 or later. This means that WiFi 6 will remain a viable and relevant technology for several years to come. While WiFi 7 is on the horizon, WiFi 6 remains a relevant and valuable technology for most users. With its widespread adoption, future-proof capabilities, significant performance improvements, enhanced security, and cost-effectiveness, WiFi 6 is a smart choice for upgrading home and business networks. For those who can afford it, WiFi 7 may offer additional benefits, but WiFi 6 will remain a viable option for years to come.

7. Compex's WiFi 6 Offering

Compex Systems is dedicated to continuous innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of WiFi technology. In addition to its hardware products, Compex Systems also offers a range of ODM/OEM services, including:

• Customization: Compex Systems can customize its WiFi 6 modules and embedded boards to meet the specific needs of its customers.
• Engineering support: Compex Systems provides engineering support to its customers to help them integrate its WiFi 6 solutions into their products and applications.
• Testing and certification: Compex Systems can test and certify its WiFi 6 solutions to meet industry standards.

With its commitment to innovation and customer service, Compex Systems is well-positioned to continue to be a leader in the WiFi 6 market.

Here are some of Compex Systems' WiFi 6 products:

• WLE3000HX: 4x4 dual band WiFi 6 module, CE RED (Europe), FCC (USA), and IC (Canada) certified, x86 platform firmware integration support.
• WPQ873: ARM A53 quad-core 2GHz processor with 2.4GHz WiFi6 SoC, a good tri-band turn-key solution with the combination of 2x WLE3000HX, CE RED (Europe), FCC (USA), and IC (Canada) certified.
• WLE3000H56: 4x4 wide band 5-7GHz WiFi 6E module, future-proof your device with the newly approved 6GHz unlicensed bands for WiFi.