Various advertisements promoting network performance improvements focus on 5G, but do not forget the advantages of Wi-Fi 6.
Both cellular networks and Wi-Fi networks are undergoing significant upgrades. While these technologies each have their own enhancement capabilities, they will also complement each other’s shortcomings in certain environments where other technologies are not ideal.
In the coming years, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 technologies will play a crucial role in the complete digital transformation of enterprises. Simply put, if Wi-Fi 6 is available, architects will use Wi-Fi 6; if 5G must be used, they will use 5G. While Wi-Fi 6 is generally cheaper and faster, it is not always available. Overall, both technologies not only save costs but also help enterprises achieve the highest levels of performance.
Below, we introduce some advantages of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G, and then look at examples of how enterprises might use both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G to achieve their goals.
Advantages of Wi-Fi 6 for Enterprises
First, let’s understand some basics.The Wi-Fi Alliance has renamed the IEEE 802.11ax standard to Wi-Fi 6, which is the sixth generation of Wi-Fi. (The existing 802.11ac standard will be referred to as Wi-Fi 5.)
One of the frequently mentioned advantages of Wi-Fi 6 is the speed improvement compared to previous iterations. Wi-Fi 6 can achieve speeds of nearly 10 Gbps, which is about a 40% increase over Wi-Fi 5. In addition to providing higher speeds, Wi-Fi 6 can also split network capacity among a group of devices. With the surge in the number of devices, this advantage will be very important. For example, according to Statista, by 2020, the average number of connected devices per person will reach 6.58, totaling about 50 billion connected devices. Wi-Fi 6 will help enterprises and homes meet the demand for this influx of devices.
In contrast, the theoretical maximum shared speed of 5G wireless networks is expected to reach 10 to 20 Gbps, making 5G faster than Wi-Fi 6.
However, the speeds of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G depend on various factors, so actual applications may not achieve these theoretical maximum speeds. These factors include the number of devices connected to a single 5G cellular sector, as well as the distance and obstacles between 5G-connected devices and 5G towers. Ultimately, if the design and construction of the Wi-Fi 6 deployment are appropriate, a single wireless connection is likely to have higher throughput and lower latency compared to 5G alternatives.
5G
Wi-Fi 6
If deployed properly, another significant advantage of Wi-Fi 6 compared to 5G is the ease of ensuring near-complete indoor coverage. This is largely due to the multi-input multi-output (MIMO) technology of Wi-Fi 6. As mentioned, while the concentration of wireless devices increases, Wi-Fi 6 can also enhance network capacity.
Secondly, considering that most enterprises will use wireless carriers’ 5G services, a key distinction between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G is that Wi-Fi is a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, while 5G is cellular broadband. With 5G technology, devices connected to applications, data, and services within the enterprise LAN must access applications and data remotely through secure channels like VPN tunnels over the internet. In contrast, since Wi-Fi 6 is designed as part of a secure enterprise LAN, it can protect edge security devices from access by untrusted networks.
Compared to 5G-ready devices or even 4G and 3G compatible devices, Wi-Fi devices are more prevalent. While some of the latest smartphones come equipped with chips that support 5G (and Wi-Fi 6), most other wireless computing devices, such as laptops and smart devices, may only support Wi-Fi connectivity. Given the prevalence of Wi-Fi 6 compatible devices and the deployment timeline of 5G infrastructure, Wi-Fi 6 may have a faster adoption curve.
Compared to 5G, wireless devices tend to consume less power when connected to Wi-Fi. Similarly, the power required for connection and data transmission can vary greatly due to various factors. Since Wi-Fi 6 includes a feature called Target Wake Time (TWT), its battery efficiency is particularly outstanding.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the cost. Compared to the typical lifecycle of a Wi-Fi 6 deployment, subscribing to 5G is much more expensive due to the adoption of previous carrier technologies. This is indeed the case in our current interconnected world with the Internet of Things (IoT). The cost-effectiveness of providing Wi-Fi in the workplace will far exceed that of using 5G carrier networks.
How 5G and Wi-Fi 6 Complement Each Other
Of course, 5G technology also has its advantages compared to Wi-Fi 6. For enterprise IT, 5G will be a revolutionary technology in areas where Wi-Fi is not an ideal choice. To reiterate, for network architects, if Wi-Fi 6 is available, they will use Wi-Fi 6; if 5G must be used, they will use 5G.
One example of this principle is the deployment of IoT sensors, where hundreds or even thousands of IoT devices require wireless connectivity. Within the enterprise’s own building, Wi-Fi 6 will be the preferred wireless technology for connecting IoT devices. When IoT moves outside the enterprise building, sensors can still utilize 5G as a wireless transmission mode to achieve a connection with sufficient speed and reliability.
Another example is using 5G to obtain mobile broadband internet connectivity in temporary or mobile locations, and then allowing others to connect through Wi-Fi to other wireless users. This can be achieved through routers or firewalls that support 5G, combined with built-in or external wireless access points, allowing others to access the internet through a single 5G broadband connection.
Finally,5G has the potential to be used in scenarios where Wi-Fi struggles to operate efficiently. Remember that Wi-Fi operates in the unlicensed spectrum, which means that no individual user or entity owns the wireless spectrum used for Wi-Fi operation, whereas licensed 5G spectrum does not have this issue. This leads to interference in places like multi-user buildings. In such scenarios, the performance of 5G operating on licensed spectrum may far exceed that of Wi-Fi.
Which Technology is Superior?
It is correct for IT professionals to choose 5G as the next major transformation in enterprise wireless connectivity, as this technology has made significant improvements over 3G, 4G, and LTE iterations. However, as discussed in this article, the advantages of Wi-Fi 6 should not be underestimated. It offers numerous features and has a more efficient and reliable connection capability for Wi-Fi users than before. When deployed in appropriate scenarios, both technologies will work together to connect users and devices inside and outside the enterprise LAN, providing flexibility for enterprises.
Author of this article
 |
Andrew Froelhich Current President of IT consulting and service provider West Gate Networks. |
 |
Lauren Horwitz Editor-in-Chief at Cisco.com, responsible for IT infrastructure market and content strategy development. |
Click
“Read the original” to learn more about 5G and Wi-Fi 6 content.