With the rise of IoT, smart building technologies, and data demands that go beyond gigabit speeds, CIOs and IT managers are making more frequent wireless network upgrades. In fact, Wi-Fi technology cycles have been shrinking, from every 4-5 years to 3 years, according to market analyst Dell'Oro Group. A strong wireless network is critical to keeping you connected, and a robust structured cabling backbone is crucial for supporting multiple generations of wireless upgrades.
Wi-Fi 6 Brings a Boost
IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) is designed to meet the emerging demands for higher density coverage, higher bandwidth, and additional connected IoT devices. While the 802.11ax standard was published in 2021, Wi-Fi 6 routers are already available, with an early wave introduced in 2019, and a second wave of routers and mesh systems available today.
- Wi-Fi 6 can increase average client throughput speeds in dense areas by up to four times, with maximum theoretical data rates of 10 Gb/s
- Wi-Fi 6 supports more efficient power consumption, especially important for IoT applications that require more intelligent uses of data and power.