What is WiFi 6? Your guide to faster, more reliable internet in the home

Forget buffering videos, waiting ages for downloads, or the frustration of laggy online games. The days of battling with your home network may be coming to an end thanks to the arrival of WiFi 6. It’s the biggest leap forward in WiFi technology for years, but what exactly is it? Let’s take a look.

WiFi 6: Beyond speed

Yes, WiFi 6 delivers blazing fast wireless speeds, but the WiFi 6 benefits go beyond just numbers.

• Better for crowded networks: Got a house full of smart devices, consoles and streaming gadgets? WiFi 6 is built to handle them all without slowing down.
• Goodbye to lag: Perfect for online gamers or video callers, WiFi 6 reduces those frustrating delays for a smoother, more responsive online experience.
• Smoother everything: When you’re connecting to your home internet via WiFi, from scrolling social media to web browsing, streaming and more, your whole internet experience feels snappier, even with multiple devices running at once.

How fast is WiFi 6: Faster wireless technology?

WiFi 6 uses both the traditional 2.4GHz and the faster 5GHz frequency bands for maximum speed and flexibility. Here’s what that means:

• Theoretical peak speeds: WiFi 6 can reach up to a mind-blowing 9.6Gbps, while older WiFi 5 tops out at around 3.5Gbps.
• Real-world speeds: You’re unlikely to see those peak numbers, but the boost is still impressive. Think hundreds of Mbps on a good connection with a WiFi 6 router and devices.
• Don’t forget your broadband: If you’re streaming from one device to another on your home network (from a media server to a tablet, for example), you’ll benefit from those extra speeds. But to harness those speeds for your internet connection, you’ll need a fast broadband package too.
  

With a WiFi 6 wireless network, you’ll see a difference in how quickly pages load, how smoothly videos stream, and how responsive your online world becomes.

WiFi 6 vs WiFi 5: Is the change worth it?

Absolutely! WiFi 6 vs WiFi 5 isn’t just a minor improvement. The speed differences are significant, but the real magic is WiFi 6’s ability to handle multiple devices without a hitch. If you’ve struggled with slowdowns when everyone’s online, this could be your solution.

We’ll caveat that enthusiasm with one important point though. You’re only likely to fully enjoy the benefits of WiFi 6 when you pair it with the fastest available internet speed (think 500Mbps+ full fibre broadband).

How to get the most out of WiFi 6

Here’s what you need to reap the benefits of WiFi 6:

• A WiFi 6 router: Like the FRITZ!Box 7530 AX, which Zen offers on its fastest full fibre packages.
• WiFi 6 compatible devices: Most newer smartphones, laptops and smart devices will support it, but it’s worth checking beforehand.
• Router placement: Even the best router won’t help if it’s stuck in a cupboard. Central locations and elevated placement work best.

How does WiFi 6 work? (Without getting technical)

WiFi 6 is packed with clever tech. Here’s a simplified explanation:

• Multi-device magic: WiFi 6 sends data to multiple devices at the same time, unlike older WiFi where they’d have to wait their turn.
• Improved channel use: WiFi 6 is better at organising data flow, a bit like adding more lanes to a congested motorway.
• Battery boost: Some connected devices get longer battery life thanks to how WiFi 6 works.

A glimpse of WiFi 7

WiFi 6 might be the latest and greatest widely available network protocol, but WiFi 7 is already starting to appear in more and more devices, promising even faster speeds and new tricks.

While it might take a while to arrive, keep an eye out for future WiFi 7 devices from Zen.

Ready for faster broadband? Make the Zen choice

If you’re ready to ditch WiFi woes and embrace a smoother, faster internet experience, it’s time to explore WiFi 6. Get it on Zen’s fastest full fibre packages and see the difference it makes! Check your availability here.