This article originally appeared in Spiceworks on September 20, 2023. 

Wi-Fi® – particularly Wi-Fi 6E – plays a critical role in transforming enterprise connectivity. As the first choice for wireless indoor connectivity for a growing number of users and increasingly complex business applications, Wi-Fi is also a complementary technology that supports the performance of 5G applications. The convergence of the two technologies allows for seamless connectivity as users move from place to place throughout the day, providing coverage from the conference room to the parking lot and everywhere in between.  

Wi-Fi 6E in enterprise settings 

Wi-Fi is responsible for carrying most internet traffic generated by both businesses and consumers, according to a 2021 report from Analysis Mason. As the latest Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 6E unlocks the unlicensed 6 GHz spectrum band to deliver the capabilities needed to support the high-bandwidth applications enterprises around the world depend on every day, including cloud computing, telepresence, and the sophisticated Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors that power daily operations like factory and inventory monitoring. With the lower latency and higher throughput the 6 GHz band provides, Wi-Fi 6E is poised to keep up with the rate of information exchange and virtual collaboration of today’s workplace – and innovation is only expected to accelerate. According to IDC’s latest enterprise WLAN market report, Wi-Fi 6E revenue increased by 14.1% from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023, constituting 10.4% of dependent access point revenues in the enterprise market. Currently, there are more than 980 devices certified for Wi-Fi 6E, and an estimated 473 million Wi-Fi 6E devices are expected to ship in 2023.  

Part of Wi-Fi’s success is attributed to its affordable and sustainable nature. Wi-Fi connectivity requires minimal external infrastructure, making Wi-Fi implementation cost-effective and less invasive to the surrounding environment compared to the installation and maintenance of cellular towers. As a low-power technology, Wi-Fi does not require the heightened power levels of 5G and other cellular solutions in order to penetrate heavy, insulated exterior walls. Still, some emerging enterprise applications require the support of both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity to deliver seamless broadband coverage.  

Utilizing Wi-Fi with private 5G  

Beginning with a strong foundation of Wi-Fi connectivity supports enterprises’ continuously evolving digital needs, many of which occur indoors. While 5G is often implemented to facilitate outdoor connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E and 5G may be paired together in enterprise settings to ensure seamless, cost-effective coverage for critical applications such as chemical leak detection and factory management.   

Implementing Wi-Fi and 5G together enables optimized connectivity even when users are transitioning between indoor and outdoor locations, which is especially useful in large industrial campuses. In an interview for The Signal, Kelly Burroughs, Solutions Director for Enterprise at iBwave, shared that network designers should utilize data to better understand their connectivity needs and determine where private 5G might best support various use cases, “turning the technology into more of a roadmap.”   

Layering 5G into existing Wi-Fi networks is a key component to building highly efficient networks that support smart cities, allowing for increased reliability in outdoor applications. Smart city devices like water level monitors used to prevent flooding, traffic monitoring hardware, and smart street lighting rely on a private 5G network or carrier-grade Wi-Fi to report data back to city planners. Meanwhile, smartphone users and low-power IoT devices are best suited to remain on a reliable Wi-Fi network.   

The future of enterprise connectivity 

Internet connectivity is an essential socioeconomic function, and the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6E through the 6 GHz band offer increased capacity, faster speeds, and decreased latency. As enterprises and the technologies that empower them continue to advance, it is up to IT and network leaders to design and implement networks that provide reliable, secure, and efficient connectivity for users. With the ​​standard for enterprise connectivity rapidly evolving, it is vital for businesses to prepare future-forward networks that will further equip their companies for rapid growth and expansion, and this starts with a collaboration between Wi-Fi 6E and 5G.  

In today's episode, we're joined by Kevin Daly, VP of Business Development at Morse Micro, and David Halasz, Director of Standards at Morse Micro, to discuss Wi-Fi CERTIFIED HaLow™. We talk about how Wi-Fi HaLow™ empowers low power, low bandwidth IoT connections at the sub-1 GHz spectrum, and how it allows more efficient signal penetration. We talk about agricultural and mining use cases and learn about how the technology can provide great benefits over long distances in rural areas. Kevin and David also tell us about the types of devices that have seen recent adoption of Wi-Fi HaLow and we learn more about how the technology enables the improved battery life of connected cameras. Join us to learn more about how Wi-Fi HaLow enables secure, reliable connections.

The future of farming: Testing the rural range of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED HaLow™: https://www.wi-fi.org/beacon/neil-weste/the-future-of-farming-testing-the-rural-range-of-wi-fi-certified-halow

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED HaLow™: https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-halow 

For Wi-Fi Alliance: www.wi-fi.org

For Membership Info: https://www.wi-fi.org/membership

General Contact: https://www.wi-fi.org/contact-us

In this episode, we're joined by Jan Buis, Head of Business Development at Genexis, to discuss how Matter will impact IoT and Wi-Fi. As Wi-Fi increasingly fuels IoT device connectivity, the number of devices used in the home will continue to grow, creating additional security concerns. Jan explains that security-focused education is crucial for consumers and that security at the gateway level is increasingly important. Listen to learn more about how Matter and Wi-Fi will continue to influence the IoT landscape and discover which market developments gateway vendors are watching.
 

Internet of Things: https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/internet-of-things

Wi-Fi Security: https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/security

For Wi-Fi Alliance: www.wi-fi.org

For Membership Info: https://www.wi-fi.org/membership

General Contact: https://www.wi-fi.org/contact-us

In today's episode, we're joined by Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO of Parks Associates, a leading technology market research firm. Elizabeth shares that internet households across the US have an average of 16 connected devices, and we discuss how Wi-Fi 6 is supporting these devices and bandwidth-intensive smart home applications. Elizabeth tells us that more than half of consumers who purchase one smart home device will soon purchase at least three devices for a more curated experience, driving smart home device uptake in 2023. We also discuss the complexity of connected IoT devices in healthcare and how Wi-Fi 6 helps devices, systems, and services work together to enhance patient care. Listen to this episode to dig into the data around IoT and smart home devices.

Connect with Elizabeth Parks on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethparks-parksassociates/

Internet of Things: https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/internet-of-things

For Wi-Fi Alliance: www.wi-fi.org

For Membership Info: https://www.wi-fi.org/membership

General Contact: https://www.wi-fi.org/contact-us

In this episode, we're joined by Daran Hermans, Director of Product Management at Cambium Networks, to discuss their recent deployment of Wi-Fi 6E in the hospitality space. Daran shares his insight into this large-scale deployment near London Heathrow, including the challenges that were faced and how the upgrade has improved guest experiences. We also discuss how 6 GHz spectrum will impact the future of hospitality and MDUs. Listen to this episode to learn more about Wi-Fi 6E in hospitality and Daran's advice for venues that may be considering an extensive Wi-Fi upgrade.

Cambium Networks delivers 131% year-on-year (1Q2023) enterprise Wi-Fi growth – with focus on hospitality & MDUs: https://wifinowglobal.com/news-and-blog/cambium-networks-delivers-131-year-on-year-1q2023-enterprise-wi-fi-growth-with-focus-on-hospitality-mdus/?mc_cid=ab21827f61&mc_eid=e55cbbfa18

For Wi-Fi Alliance: www.wi-fi.org

For Membership Info: https://www.wi-fi.org/membership

General Contact: https://www.wi-fi.org/contact-us