Having a robust WiFi connection is crucial for the hospitality industry, which requires various devices such as Electronic Point of Sale, Card Readers, Kitchen Display Systems, and Kiosks, as well as the option for Mobile Ordering. A strong and reliable WiFi signal greatly impacts a guest's positive experience during their visit. And with rapid technological advances, ensuring your data connections are up-to-date and secure is essential. When it comes to WiFi connectivity, many might wonder: What's the difference between WiFi 4, WiFi 5 and Wifi 6?
Origin of WiFi
WiFi has revolutionised the tech landscape, leveraging a universal standard to enable seamless communication across various compatible wireless devices. Developed and published by the Wi-Fi Alliance, this innovative technology continues to shape how we interact with our digital environment.
To keep up with technological advancements, the industry has created three distinct categories: WiFi4, WiFi5 and WiFi6. These divisions provide clarity to pinpoint changes in technical standards. WiFi 4/5/6 are different wireless network standards, just like mobile networks - 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G - greater numbers mean faster speeds with enhanced performance.
What is WiFi4?
WiFi 4, which was defined in 2009, is the successor to WiFi 3 and uses the protocol 802.11n. The maximum speed for WiFi 4 is 150 Mbps, with a range of 70 meters indoors and 250 meters outdoors.
WiFi 4 is the leader of wireless technology, using a 2.4G WiFi frequency band that allows for enhanced signal propagation and distance among various devices. Despite its advantages, it can be easily impacted by external systems such as microwaves or Bluetooth connections. The 2.4GHz band is more prone to interference because of the number of devices that use this frequency. This includes older routers, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, garage door openers and more.
What is WiFi5?
WiFi 5 was originally defined in 2013 and uses the protocol 802.11ac. The maximum single-stream bandwidth was originally 433Mbps. In 2016, the bandwidth was then increased to 867Mbps but the protocol stayed the same.
WiFi 5 uses a 5GHz WiFi frequency band which allows for a stronger, more maximised network performance but with less range. 5GHz is best suited for high-bandwidth devices or activities like gaming and streaming HDTV.
What is WiFi6?
WiFi 6, which is called the 6th generation of WiFi, as defined in 2018. WiFi 6 uses the protocol 802.11ax and the single-stream bandwidth can reach up to 1201 Mbps.
In 2020, WiFi 6E was then launched with a 6 GHz bandwidth. Wi-Fi devices had previously been restricted to using only the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, but that's recently changed. WiFi 6E-enabled devices can utilise the 6GHz frequency band, which provides 1,200 MHz of bandwidth. Most homes today have significantly more WiFi-enabled devices than they did even five years ago. From smartphones and tablets to televisions and IoT devices like thermostats and doorbells, just about everything can connect to a wireless router. WiFi 6 communicates better with multiple devices that need data simultaneously, and more efficiently prioritises traffic across those devices.
For a successful hospitality business, it's crucial to not only have technical proficiency in operating technology, but also an understanding of what it offers. To make informed decisions, it's necessary to comprehend the options available. Hence, it's important to know the differences between various WiFi types to choose the right one for your business.