The internet has changed a lot in the past few decades. Today, everything we do, from business to entertainment, has been affected by the internet, its accessibility, speed, and security. Our usage changes with every new tech advancement relating to the internet. The latest in these tech advancements are Wi-Fi 6 and 5G. These technologies are changing the way we experience and use the internet in many ways, thanks to their higher speeds, better security, and overall improvements. Today, we will compare Wi-Fi 6 vs. 5G to show you key differences in technology, accessibility, security, and use cases. This will help you better understand which is better for your business.
However, telecommunications experts like Communications Solutions Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida, recommend businesses to utilize these new technologies side by side in the coming years. This is primarily because of the business benefits they promise to bring over the coming years.
That being said, let’s dive right in.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. 5G
We will start this Wi-Fi 6 vs. 5G comparison by first defining both these new technologies.
· Technology
Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, with the official name 802.11ax. This new generation WLAN technology offers a similar leap as previous generations did. It builds on the capabilities of its predecessor and enhances overall performance in incredible ways.
It offers faster internet speeds, higher bandwidths, lower latency, better communication between devices, and enhanced multiuser and IoT support. Businesses can connect more devices than ever before and experience seamless support and higher bandwidth for devices and communications.
The newfound advancement in Wi-Fi capabilities and performance dwarf anything Wi-Fi-5 had to offer, especially for business purposes.
On the other hand, 5G is the latest offering in wireless cellular technology and offers amazing advancements in network speed and reliability over its predecessor. It is the first wireless cellular technology to offer speeds that allow real-time communication capabilities, which is incredible.
This may not seem like much because we are so used to high-speed internet, but real-time communications have many real-world benefits. For example, it will allow surgeons to remotely control surgical tools and machines in real-time for the first time in history.
Moreover, 5G brings incredible applications for IoT devices in areas like business and city management. Both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are similar in offering increased bandwidth, network speed, and low latency for users and consequently improving the overall user experience for everyone.
· Connectivity and Accessibility
Being the latest in WLAN technology, Wi-Fi 6 offers connectivity through wired networks that use Ethernet cables for connectivity to the internet. This means businesses use their structured cabling and connect Wi-Fi 6 capable routers and access points to their networks.
This allows access in the form of wireless internet throughout the range of the routers and access points. However, access to the wireless network requires users to typically provide a service set identifier (network name) and password.
5G is cellular technology that uses cell towers and small cellular devices like smartphones to connect to the 5G network and provide access. Such cellular technology makes use of mobile carrier cell towers and physical and digital SIMs to offer more convenient wireless internet access.
This difference in connectivity and accessibility is the most notable difference between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G.
· Network Security
Historically, Wi-Fi network security has been much easier to guarantee for users and their connected devices than cellular networks. However, Wi-Fi 6 improves upon the existing network security by offering Wi-Fi Protected Access 3, or WPA3, instead of the current WPA2 security used by its predecessor.
Unlike Wi-Fi 6, 5G has concerned experts in terms of network security because it is vulnerable, and the cost of ensuring 5G network security is high as well. Nonetheless, multiple security measures will ensure 5G network security to enable smooth and safe re-authentication while 5G connected devices move between various networks.
These include concepts such as subscription permanent identifiers, security anchor functions, and subscription concealed identifiers. Such network security guarantees were not available with previous generations of wireless cellular technology.
Use Case
The deployment of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G by businesses and organizations is another key difference between these new technologies. Traditionally, Wi-Fi has been used for indoor purposes, and Wi-Fi 6 will continue this tradition.
However, Wi-Fi 6 will take this to the next level because its support for multiple connected and IoT devices and high-density wireless capabilities allow it to be used in large open areas for seamless network services.
This means Wi-Fi 6 will be able to offer internet in outdoor spaces like arenas, stadiums, parks, and other such large outdoor spaces.
5G, on the other hand, is best used in outdoor spaces because it can perform better when there are fewer obstructions between the cell tower and connected device. This does not mean that 5G won’t work indoors, but it may not perform well.
This latest cellular technology will support things like autonomous vehicle connectivity and bring cellular networks to fixed wireless spaces for businesses.
Conclusion
These are just some key differences between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G, but the takeaway should not be the differences rather the similarities. Both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are breaking new ground and allowing WLAN and cellular technologies to achieve things they previously couldn’t.
Instead of choosing between one over the other, experts believe that businesses and organizations should think of ways to incorporate and use them both. The potential benefits of this partnership will allow seamless network access to users everywhere and in any situation.
However, such a seamless collaboration between these technologies is not yet available, but it should be in the coming years. It will bring incredible IoT growth and higher computing possibilities by bolstering network access, speed, flexibility, security, and usage.
Businesses should start using these latest network technologies to reap the benefits that are currently available and those that will come in the future. We highly recommend consulting the expert professionals at Communications Solutions Inc. for the deployment of these technologies.
If you want to learn more about Wi-Fi 6 vs. 5G or if you want to deploy these technologies in Jacksonville, Florida, Contact Us Today.