IoT Hotspot
Industry 4.0 needs Wi-Fi 6 GHz
Technologies such as machine learning and virtual reality require fast data transmission. The key to a comprehensive and fast internet connection is 6 GHz Wi-Fi - although the introduction of the new standard is still being debated in Germany.
Machine learning, virtual reality and the digital twin are technologies that will shape the factory of tomorrow. However, these technologies are generating ever larger data streams that not only need to be stored decentrally on a cloud, but also need to be constantly and quickly available.
To enable companies to use these new technologies, the Wi-Fi Alliance has developed Wi-Fi 6 GHz. The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global network of companies that offer Wi-Fi devices. The association certifies Wi-Fi-enabled devices and develops new technologies - the latest development of the association is now the Wi-Fi 6E.
In contrast to the current Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 6E offers a wider bandwidth with more channels and less interference. The new standard transmits on the 6 GHz frequency and uses up to 14 additional 80 MHz channels or up to seven 160 MHz channels. This additional bandwidth is necessary for virtual reality applications, for example. The extra frequencies are also useful when many users are using the same network at the same time, for example in medium-sized engineering offices or large industrial companies. This makes it possible to achieve gigabyte speeds with very low latency times.
5G mobile communications plus Wi-Fi 6 GHz
Such high speeds should also be achieved after the nationwide introduction of the mobile 5G network. Deutsche Telekom has announced that it will connect 99% of Germany to the 5G network by 2025. 5G and Wi-Fi each play an important role in achieving the next level of connectivity. Although it may seem contradictory, the expansion of Wi-Fi to the unlicensed 6 GHz frequency - Wi-Fi 6E - will help to accelerate the nationwide rollout of 5G in Germany. This is because the 5G network is particularly useful for mobile working outside enclosed spaces. Inside buildings, however, mobile reception is impaired by the building structure, which is where Wi-Fi comes into play again. Most data traffic is transferred to the Wi-Fi in buildings. Together, Wi-Fi 6E and 5G will bring faster speeds, greater bandwidth and improved latency to businesses and consumers across the country.
Wi-Fi 6E is still being negotiated
While the 5G network is already being expanded in Germany, there has been little progress in the introduction of Wi-Fi 6 GHz. The Federal Network Agency is responsible for activating the Wi-Fi 6 GHz frequency in Germany. In coordination with the members of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations, the activation of Wi-Fi 6 GHz is currently being debated.
In the USA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) already activated the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi in April. Providers in the USA are now allowed to sell routers and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices without a license. The devices are expected to go on sale in the USA at the end of this year.
In order to finally achieve gigabyte speeds for data transmission in Germany, it is not only the 5G network that needs to be further expanded. It is almost more important that the Federal Network Agency unlocks the 6 GHz frequency for WiFi-enabled devices. Wi-Fi offers a fast and secure connection for companies. Companies could already benefit from the new Wi-Fi 6 standard, as the technology already exists. The frequency must now be activated by the relevant authorities.
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