WiFi 6E builds on the existing WiFi 6 (802.11ax) standard. WiFi 6E offers all of the cutting-edge features of WiFi 6 and allows access to a new 6 GHz wireless band.
Following are some of the main features of WiFi 6:
- Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). This feature enables your router and devices to use your bandwidth more efficiently by reducing the time between data transmissions. As a result, more bandwidth is available for other devices. For example, the RAX200 supports several client devices per WiFi band with downlink and uplink OFDMA technology.
- High-bandwidth traffic efficiency with eight-stream multi-user-multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO). This technology enables your router to communicate with many devices simultaneously. WiFi 6 also allows 8x8 access points to use all eight streams to transmit information.
- Improvements through higher order modulation (1024-QAM). Higher order modulation increases the efficiency and speed of data transmission on your network. This technology can give up to 25 percent improvements in speed.
- Extended battery for mobile and smart home devices with target wake time (TWT). TWT makes communication between your devices and your router’s WiFi channels more efficient. Devices that support TWT enter a sleep state until their scheduled wake time. TWT reduces energy consumption and bandwidth use.
WiFi 6E builds on these features by adding access to a new 6 GHz wireless band.
Following are some of the features of the 6 GHz band:
- Additional spectrum. The 6 GHz band supports up to fourteen 80MHz channels or seven 160MHz channels. More available WiFi channels means more available WiFi spectrum and less overlap between networks in crowded areas like apartments complexes or offices.
- More high-bandwidth channels. The 6 GHz band supports almost twice as many high-bandwidth (80 GHz, 160MHz) channels as 5 GHz. More available high-bandwidth channels means more capacity for applications like 4K and 8K streaming, virtual reality gaming, and high-definition video conferencing.
- No DFS scanning required. Unlike 160MHz channels in the 5 GHz wireless band, devices operating in 6 GHz don’t share the spectrum with radar devices or TV stations. As a result, people who cannot take advantage of 160MHz channels because they live near places like airports or TV stations can benefit from vacant 160MHz channels.
- No legacy (WiFi 3/4/5/6) devices on 6 GHz. The 6 GHz band is exclusive to WiFi 6E devices. 6 GHz networks don't need to slow down to accommodate older devices. This means that WiFi 6E devices can take full advantage of the bandwidth, spectrum, and speed improvements of 6 GHz without competing with any non-6E devices.
- Mandatory Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) 3. WPA 3 is mandatory for all WiFi 6 Certified devices operating in 6 GHz. WPA3 is the latest Wi-Fi Alliance security certification. WPA3 provides the latest in security and authentication protocols. As a result, 6 GHz WiFi traffic is more secure than ever and 6 GHz networks are more difficult to hack.
The 6 GHz band has a shorter range than the 5 GHz band. This means that a higher density of Orbi or mesh satellites are required for complete 6 GHz coverage.
Because of this shorter range, WiFi 6E routers and satellites must be positioned close to where you actually require the high-speed 6 GHz connection. We recommend that you avoid placing your router or satellites in places like your basement, attic, or closet.
Some devices might roam off of the 6 GHz band to the 5 GHz band when they are out of the 6 GHz range and might not automatically reconnect to the 6 GHz band when they are back in range. This is dependent on the individual device and not the router.
For more information, see the following:
- What is WiFi 6E?
- What are the benefits of WiFi 6E?
- What is the difference between WiFi 5 and WiFi 6?
- Do I need to have a WiFi 6E router to use WiFi 6E capable products?