The expansion of high-speed internet service is progressing rapidly, and connectivity options continue to evolve. Few technologies are as essential to our daily lives as Wi-Fi, and as technology advances, manufacturers improve the protocol with higher speeds and lower latency.
In recent years, the number of devices in the average home has increased significantly, expanding from computers and phones to include televisions, tablets, game consoles, smart speakers, and even household appliances. This same phenomenon is observed in businesses , which have incorporated a large number of devices to connect to various services. As a result, Wi-Fi networks can become congested quickly, especially with the massive use of streaming services.
Given the increased use of wireless devices , Wi-Fi 6E will provide much faster and more secure connections. This is why several internet service providers in Colombia, such as Movistar, ETB, and TIGO, among others, offer Wi-Fi 6E service as part of their packages .
Improvements to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E Readiness
Now, speaking of the future of work, it will involve a workforce capable of connecting seamlessly from anywhere at any time , accessing the applications and services necessary for success, while ensuring security and creativity in their work.
One of the key reasons for Wi-Fi’s success lies in its backward compatibility, ensuring that older protocols can continue to be used . Today, it’s common to find a variety of client types and capabilities operating on Wi-Fi networks.
However, this diversity is not optimal for two main reasons: firstly, older clients are less efficient and require more transmission time to send the same amount of data; secondly, the overhead of the management protocol needed to maintain backward compatibility is often measurable and contributes to further efficiency losses .
Wi-Fi 6 represents the next generation of the protocol used for internet connection . While maintaining its basic function, it offers greater download speeds and various improvements that strengthen network stability.
Among the main benefits of Wi-Fi 6 , including its extension, Wi-Fi 6E, are: greater capacity thanks to the additional spectrum that offers more channels without overlap; less interference , since devices with Wi-Fi 6E do not share spectrum with devices of previous generations ; and superior performance , with the possibility of using more channels with a bandwidth of 80 MHz and 160 MHz, allowing for faster transmission and reception speeds.
Preparing your network for Wi-Fi 6E involves more than simply replacing older access points with compatible devices. Your network needs switches that support gigabit speeds or higher . Without these compatible switches , network administrators will face bottlenecks, and some of Wi-Fi 6E ‘s promised features and capabilities, such as lower latency and faster speeds , won’t materialize.
These differences can be decisive, so it’s important to consider the pros and cons to choose the best option for your home , workspace, or organization.
Legislation in Colombia for the Deployment of WiFi 6
The National Spectrum Agency , through Resolution 737 of 2022 , modified Resolution 105 of 2020, enabling 1200 MHz of the 6 GHz band for unrestricted use in indoor spaces and at low power levels. According to Resolution 737 of 2022 , this measure aims to ” promote technological development in Colombia and improve the quality of connectivity in enclosed spaces and the user experience .” This regulatory change will allow the implementation of new internet access technologies , ensuring the traffic speeds necessary to support user requirements. We highlight the following:
- In the supporting document accompanying the publication of the proposed regulation, the ANE analyzed decisions made worldwide regarding the use of the 6 GHz frequency band for the implementation of WAS (Wireless Access Systems) applications . The United States, Canada, Brazil, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Costa Rica have established technical conditions to allow the unrestricted use of WAS applications in the 5925 MHz to 7125 MHz frequency band.
- Globally, three types of WAS applications have been identified for the use of the 6 GHz frequency band under the unlicensed use modality: Low Power Indoor (LPI) , Very Low Power (VLP) and Standard Power (SP).
- In Colombia, the occupation of the 6 GHz frequency band (5925 MHz to 7125 MHz) is intended for the operation of fixed microwave radio links and fixed satellite radio links (Earth-space segment).
- Low Power Indoor (LPI) applications correspond to access points and user devices in wireless networks that operate in enclosed spaces, such as homes, offices, schools, libraries, shopping malls, airports, transport terminals, hotels and restaurants, among others.
- According to the study prepared by the National Spectrum Agency , it was identified that the establishment of the 6 GHz frequency band for the implementation of wireless access systems is viable, thus promoting the deployment of new Internet access technologies and ensuring the traffic speeds necessary to support the requirements of users.
- The allocation of 1200 MHz under the unlicensed use model in the 6 GHz indoor low-power band , along with the necessary technical conditions to avoid interference with primary services, benefits end users. This improves the quality of indoor connectivity and the user experience, enabling higher speeds and lower latency without incurring additional spectrum usage costs.
Use Cases and Available Solutions
Wi-Fi 6E stands out especially for its promise of ultra-fast wireless connectivity in a variety of scenarios:
- Organizations considering the deployment of IoT devices and sensors can take advantage of the new interference-free spectrum offered by Wi-Fi 6E.
- In educational settings, Wi-Fi 6E can transform learning with immersive and virtual experiences , as the wide contiguous blocks of spectrum allow for high performance and simultaneous data transmission.
- The government, in its pursuit of greater security , can rely on the inclusion of the WPA3 standard in Wi-Fi 6E devices, providing an additional layer of mandatory security.
- The hotel industry can offer Wi-Fi 6E networks to guests staying in their rooms.
- In the healthcare sector, a Wi-Fi 6E network means more lifesaving devices can connect without fear of delays or outages. Furthermore, large datasets, such as X-ray images or MRI scans, can be transmitted quickly across the network.
Solutions available in ITS:
ITS offers a variety of Cisco solutions , such as the Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller and the Catalyst 9100 Series Access Points for corporate environments, as well as the Catalyst IW9167 Series for industrial environments.
Another option is the Meraki Wi-Fi 6/6E series products.
We have HPE Aruba Networking solutions featuring the 510 series of indoor Access Points , along with wireless controllers in the 7000 and 7200 series.
Conclusion
Technology is constantly evolving , and the demand for tools that facilitate connection to applications and enable optimal performance anytime, anywhere is a challenge we face. Wi-Fi 6E didn’t appear overnight; all its solutions have been carefully studied and designed to address specific challenges.
Written by: Rene Alejandro Olaya Angarita
Specialist Engineer.
