6E AND 5G WIRELESS FRENEMIES
According to some quarters, Wi-Fi 6 and by extension its Wi-Fi 6E cousin will be replaced by 5G cellular technology before they’ve had a chance to take off. And there’s at least some substance behind that narrative.
Historically, cellular networks have been wide-area solutions working at long distance both indoors and out. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi is a short-range technology primarily used indoors. However, with 5G comes a greater use of so-called small-cell access nodes designed to operate over shorter ranges and support fewer devices. That sounds a lot like Wi-Fi.
What’s more, midband 5G networks also operate on similar 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz frequencies to Wi-Fi.
But realistically, you can’t put a SIM in every device. 5G networks are also typically installed by telco firms, use specific licensed spectrum, and require fees for access. None of that is a good fit for home or office users installing their own networks.
What’s more, data ownership is a major impediment to the idea of 5G replacing Wi-Fi. Put simply, on a 5G network, the carrier owns the data, not you. That has all manner of worrisome implications for businesses wanting to protect their data and use analytics, and raises the prospect of carriers selling data back to clients.
Long story short, 5G and Wi-Fi are complementary and synergistic, not antagonistic technologies. When you dig down into the 5G backbone, you find Wi-Fi as a component part. Likewise, as 5G is increasingly used to provide internet connections to homes, Wi-Fi technology, including Wi-Fi calling over cellular networks, will remain key to enabling seamless connectivity and functionality.