JACQUES VISSER WiFi 6 can be deployed to expand and ready business networks for future needs and patterns of technology deployment
The next-generation WiFi 6 provides consistent high performance for enterprise applications that require low latency, as well as for automated control and manufacturing systems, says information and communication technology firm Vox head of wireless Jacques Visser.
WiFi 6 can be used to create ultrabroadband networks in commercial environments and is suitable for a host of uses, including Internet of Things networks.
“WiFi is one of the key technologies supporting business connectivity, with significant amounts of data carried over this medium before [being] sent over large-capacity, long-distance connections, such as fibre optics,” he highlights.
However, the broad adoption and use of WiFi has caused demand on these networks to increase and, in some cases, exceed their design capacity.
“People want the best experience and easy, quick access to perform their roles efficiently and optimally. Cellular telephony cannot economically carry the sheer volume of data in addition to the prediction that the number of connected devices, and associated data streams, will grow significantly,” he says.
WiFi has been identified as a key enabling technology in smart cities and the digital economy, specifically to transmit local data that is then backhauled by bulk connections, such as fibre optics networks.
Further, WiFi 6 and fifth-generation (5G) technology, share the same common principles of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access, which increases the usable throughput for all devices connected to a radio. This will allow companies to deploy WiFi networks to provide an ultrabroadband experience in their environments for all devices, from sensors to smart phones.
“However, WiFi 6 enables companies to roll out 5G-like networks on their campuses for 10% of the price of cellular 5G, while meeting the new demands placed on their networks, as well as install a technology that will meet their information and communication technology needs for the next five years.”
While existing WiFi networks must be upgraded to WiFi 6, the new WiFi is backwards compatible, which means that all systems using WiFi can be rolled over onto WiFi 6 networks without compatibility issues.
The WiFi 6 technical specifications were developed through an international collaboration of technology developers and commercial companies and one of the new developments is that the individual WiFi broadcasts interfere significantly less with one another and have a longer reach, explains Visser.
“Additional technical features of this latest WiFi standard include improved priority assignment for various data streams and devices, which is crucial to support the intended use of a device or process and derive the expected performance and value from it. WiFi 6 networks also have improved handover of connected devices between access points.”
Vox expects that WiFi 6 will be adopted by existing clients aiming to expand and ready their networks for future needs and patterns of technology deployment, including the Internet of Things, analytics and artificial intelligence-enabled business systems.
“We also believe that WiFi will be crucial to manage the volumes of data in public areas in the context of public and/or shared networks and autonomous vehicles. It is inconceivable and uneconomical to attempt to manage the volume of data and the complexity of public networks using only cellular systems. The lower relative cost of WiFi is necessary to develop networks to support the predicted uses.
“While fibre optics is necessary to move large volumes of data, WiFi will continue to grow as the main access medium in private and public use cases and contexts, such as smart cities.”
Vox expects WiFi 6 to be used in the hospitality and retail industries, as well as in corporate environments and public areas. It expects smaller businesses to deploy new WiFi 6 equipment quickly, and for larger enterprises to deploy these systems when they replace or upgrade their existing networks.