5G is coming and is supposed to replace Wi-Fi. But the Wi-Fi “faction” is also increasing the bandwidth. But what does the end-user really need and want? Maybe “only” the best internet connection at a reasonable price? Technically feasible, says wireless expert Cees Links. But you have to rethink the industry.
5G is just the corner and was therefore one of the key topics at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 in Las Vegas. And like every time a new cellular standard is announced, the “end of Wi-Fi” is predicted. This was already the case with the 3G standard, which was supposed to make Wi-Fi (802.11b) redundant. But that was not exactly what happened. The whole story was repeated with 4G (LTE). Wi-Fi (802.11ac) was now available. Nothing! In the 5G context, Wi-Fi is now being phased out again, as the new cellular standard will cover both the inside and the outside of properties and buildings.
This raises the question: what will the effects of 5G have on the next generation of Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)? Do we still need them in the 5G wireless landscape?
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Beyond the 5G hype
Of course, part of the 5G communication is just a marketing hype that highlights the particular positive aspects of the new technology and ignores the less beneficial ones. 5G at 4 Gbit / s is undoubtedly faster than Wi-Fi (.11ac) at 1.3 Gbit / s.
If you really want to be clear about where the development is going, forget the marketing headlines and dig a little deeper. What are the real facts that could guide us? First, the laws of physics tell us that radio waves (whether Wi-Fi or 5G) have difficulty penetrating objects such as walls or house walls. In addition, the data rate decreases with distance. Giving more “power” to the transmitter helps a little, but it also causes interference and makes the devices more expensive. In addition, the statutory maximum output power must be observed.
Technology division between Wi-Fi and 5G
Conversely, Wi-Fi utilizes an unlicensed range that is accessible to everybody for nothing out of pocket. Notwithstanding, the yield intensity of Wi-Fi is similarly low, with the goal that the radio sign stays (pretty much) inside the structure and has ideal (purported) otherworldly reuse. That implies: a similar recurrence band can be utilized in each building. Obviously, so as to get the web into the house, you need an internet service. Furthermore, that likewise requests a membership charge, which for the most part incorporates a straightforward switch. On the off chance that you need more solace, you can purchase a progressively costly switch.
5G: Speed counts for the shopper
With respect to the “recurrence band point of view”, there is an innovation division between Wi-Fi and 5G. Be that as it may, is this additionally important to the end client? The end client connects extraordinary significance to a quick web get to – all over and at a sensible cost. Conversely, administrators/suppliers append significance to offering a decent Internet administration all over the place (at home and around the house) and monitoring costs. Curiously, the alleged Wi-Fi Off-Load (in which a cell arrange shifts traffic to Wi-Fi associations) obscures the line between the two advances.
A look at history can be helpful
It is fascinating to take note that the Wi-Fi world is established in the PC business, while 5G is in the more directed-broadcast communications industry. Consistently, phone administrators (presently called specialist organizations) have more partiality for 5G than for Wi-Fi. At the point when the telecom organizations began making the Internet accessible to customers, it was about “conveyance to the entryway”. What occurred inside the house was the duty of the purchaser.
Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax): Internet in each room
Better inclusion in the house is one of the key highlights of the new age of Wi-Fi, presently called Wi-Fi 6 (in view of the IEEE 802.11ax norm). The particular idea driving this new form of the Wi-Fi standard (likewise called the Wi-Fi arrange) gets the Internet to each room the house – with the principle switch at the front entryway and little satellite switches (repeaters) on each floor and in each room. Along these lines, Internet specialist organizations can ensure a strong Internet association anyplace in the house and legitimately likewise sell: All the best news!
By and by, versatile interchanges and Wi-Fi still feel like two separate universes between which you switch to and fro. Luckily, current cell phones are insightful to the point that when the Wi-Fi association doesn’t work, they naturally change to the cell arrange. Notwithstanding, there is a “drifting state” in which Wi-Fi attempts to detach, yet Wi-Fi doesn’t generally succeed, so neither Wi-Fi nor the cell association works. At that point, the arrangement is to turn Wi-Fi off physically to end this “battle”. What’s more, that is not entirely agreeable.
So wouldn’t it be better if there was a decent handover between the Wi-Fi association and the cell association so the client consistently gets the best execution at the least expensive cost?
Another perspective on
As a buyer, I for one would not mind whether I am associated by means of Wi-Fi or later on by means of 5G. The framework should basically offer the best network, regardless of whether in the home or out and about. I would then have a membership to my web at home and to my cell phone outside – however consistently with a specific curve on the cost side.
I’m discussing an alternate perspective. In this situation, a specialist co-op (whether or not it is a versatile administrator or a link administrator) offers the most excellent remote Internet get to support, both at home and out and about. There are numerous activities around there, all in the “Wi-Fi off-load” class, and on a basic level, the innovation is there. Yet, it’s not yet standard because of various contending and obsolete interests.
The customer “in that capacity” is neither intrigued by the following Wi-Fi age nor in the “following G”. He basically needs the best web association – anyplace, whenever and at the most ideal cost. From this point of view, the opportunity has already come and gone that portable administrators, hotspots, or Internet specialist organizations consider how they can offer their endorsers base the best assistance and the most productive way.
What makes a difference is that 5G and Wi-Fi 6 work together. Starting here of view, there is no “right” innovation determination or the decision between the best advances for a particular application.