{"id":4661,"date":"2023-11-27T03:51:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T03:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/?p=4661"},"modified":"2023-11-27T03:52:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T03:52:00","slug":"5g-wi-fi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/5g-wi-fi\/","title":{"rendered":"5G Wi-Fi: What is it Exactly?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The following guide will take a look at 5G Wi-Fi. Technical terms can be confusing. As such, we often shorten them so they\u2019re easier to handle in everyday speech. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, similar to a shortage of IP addresses (hence the existence of CGNAT<\/a>), we seem to be running out of abbreviations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As more similarly named technologies come out, there will be some overlap in how they are named. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5G Wi-Fi is a good example of this. It can refer to two separate but related technologies. The following guide will attempt to detangle and assert the actual meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Confusion Around 5G<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Over the last few years, many misconceptions and misinformation have spread about 5G, from conspiracy theories<\/a> and beyond.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When people speak about 5G, they typically refer to 4G\u2019s successor. However, they also may be referring to 5Ghz Wi-Fi, which is completely different.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is 5G Wi-Fi? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

5G Wi-Fi is a shortening of 5GHz Wi-Fi. Some tech professionals consider it a misnomer as people can easily confuse it with 5G cellular networks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, 5Ghz refers to one of many frequency bands the International Telecommunication Union has allocated and reserved for wireless LAN (WLAN).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can set most routers to either use 2.4 Ghz or the 5Ghz frequency band. However, most high-end routers also support the 6Ghz (Wi-Fi 6<\/a>) frequency band. But how does 5Ghz differ from the other bands?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Modern<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Modern wireless router with 5GHz and 802.11ac high-speed standards<\/em>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why 5 GHz Wi-Fi exists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

5 Ghz can support a higher data than 2.4 GHz rate, with 9.6 GB being the theoretical top speed. This is also on par with the 6 GHz frequency band\u2019s (theoretical) top speed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, 5 Ghz is also less susceptible to interference because there is less traffic. Historically, a smaller number of devices use the 5 GHz frequency band.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what\u2019s the point of introducing 6 Ghz if 5 GHhz is supposedly so great? 5 Ghz has a problem maneuvering past or penetrating solid objects. Moreover, unless you\u2019re using the 802.11 ac<\/a> specification, 5 Ghz covers a smaller connection area.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 GHz and Beyond<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Hand<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hand turns the <\/em>dice and changes the expression “WiFi 6” to “WiFi 6e.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the introduction of 6 GHz hasn\u2019t fixed this flaw. 6 GHz covers the least amount of area than the other bands. However, there is less interference, and it can deliver a data rate of 2GB per second more reliably than 5 GHz.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, only a few high-end devices support 6 GHz. Thus, 5 GHz isn\u2019t going away anytime soon.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what\u2019s the difference between 5Ghz and 5G?     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is 5G Cellular?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

5G refers to the fifth generation of cellular communications technology. It\u2019s the predecessor to 3G and 4G\/LTE. Similarly to 5 Ghz, a conglomerate of cellular companies joined to create a high-speed broadband solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5G uses the same frequency ranges as 3G and 4G, as well as a new standalone frequency band range (NR1<\/a>) that is unique to it. T-Mobile was the first to introduce a product and capitalize on this new frequency band range.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NR1 introduced two new frequency band spectrums: <\/p>\n\n\n\n