7 tips for deploying Wi-Fi 6E

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) introduces enhancements to how Wi-Fi operates within the 2.4 and 5GHz bands we’ve always used. And Wi-Fi 6E (the extension to 802.11ax) gives devices new frequencies to utilize in the 6GHz band. This additional spectrum enables devices to utilize even more of the enhancements and opens up more channels for wireless networks to use.

The Wi-Fi 6 enhancements aim to improve performance, efficiency, and manageability in increasingly dense and demanding wireless environments. The result: lower latency, faster speeds, higher throughput, and increased range that can make Wi-Fi 6E a better fit to serve both dense clusters of clients and end users running high-bandwidth applications.

Why use 6GHz for Wi-Fi?

There are many reasons to consider opening up your Wi-Fi to this new band:

• Less interference: Since Wi-Fi 6E with 6GHz gives you more radio spectrum to operate in, it helps with the interference issue associated with neighboring networks, as well as co-channel interference your own wireless access points (APs). Even if you don’t deploy 6GHz gear to get in that less-crowded band, if a neighbor does, it could mean less interference for you in the lower 2.4 and 5GHz bands.
• More channels: The 6GHz frequency range is also the widest amount of bandwidth offered thus far for Wi-Fi. This means you more easily can utilize wider channel-widths than you could with 5GHz.
• Faster connections: Having more channels and larger channel-widths means higher data rates. Even if you don’t need the fast speeds on the user devices, this can be a great help on networks with a dense number of users. The quicker a user device is served, the more devices an AP can serve in a given time period.

Generally, the higher the frequency you transmit on, the range of the signal decreases. However, we hopefully won’t see much of a range difference when comparing Wi-Fi connections in the 5 and 6 GHz bands. Wi-Fi 6E technology incorporates advanced features such as beamforming and improved signal processing, which can enhance coverage and range.

While Wi-Fi 6E devices are designed to operate in the 6GHz band, they are also backward compatible with existing Wi-Fi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) operating in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This ensures seamless connectivity and interoperability with older Wi-Fi devices.

The 6GHz frequencies

The 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi in the United States spans from 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz. The Wi-Fi Alliance has a nice map and listing of the countries enabling Wi-Fi in 6 GHz. This is unlicensed spectrum with other non-Wi-Fi uses too:

• Fixed satellite service (FSS): Some portions of the 6GHz band are allocated for fixed satellite services, which are used for satellite communications, broadcasting, and other telecommunications applications. These services typically operate in specific frequency ranges within the 6GHz band, and regulatory agencies allocate spectrum to avoid interference with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed services.
• Point-to-point microwave links: Point-to-point microwave links are used for wireless backhaul and connectivity between network nodes. These links may operate in the 6GHz band, especially in licensed frequency allocations, to provide high-speed data transmission over long distances.
• Radio altimeters: Radio altimeters used in aviation are another application that operates in the 6GHz band. These devices measure the altitude of aircraft above the terrain using radio waves and require protection from interference to ensure safe operation.
• Wireless local loop (WLL): Some portions of the 6GHz band may be allocated for wireless local loop services, which provide fixed wireless access to telecommunications networks. WLL systems may coexist with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed services, but regulatory agencies typically impose rules to mitigate interference.
• Government and military use: In some regions, portions of the 6GHz band may be allocated for government and military use, including radar systems and other defense applications. These services are typically protected from interference through regulatory mechanisms and coordination with civilian users.
• Amateur radio: Amateur radio operators may have allocations in the 6GHz band for certain types of communications, such as high-speed data links and experimental activities. These allocations are typically secondary to primary users and are subject to regulatory restrictions to prevent harmful interference.

Channel widths in 6GHz

The exact number of channels available in the 6GHz band can vary slightly depending on the regulatory domain and specific implementation, but here’s a summary.

• 20MHz channels: Typically, there are many 20MHz channels available in the 6GHz band. However, these narrow channels are mainly used for compatibility with legacy devices and may not be preferred for maximizing data rates.
• 40MHz channels: Similar to 20MHz channels, there are multiple 40MHz channels available in the 6GHz band. Again, these wider channels are useful for backward compatibility but may not be optimal for maximizing performance.
• 80MHz channels: Wi-Fi 6E introduces a significant number of 80MHz channels in the 6GHz band, allowing for higher data rates and increased network capacity. There are up to 14 additional 80MHz channels available in this configuration.
• 160MHz channels: For even higher data rates, Wi-Fi 6E supports 160MHz channels in the 6GHz band. There are typically seven additional 160MHz channels available, doubling the bandwidth compared to 80MHz channels.
• 80+80MHz channels: Some Wi-Fi 6E devices support the use of 80+80MHz channels, which combine two 80MHz channels for even greater bandwidth. There are typically two additional 80+80MHz channels available in the 6GHz band.

Tips for deploying 6GHz

As more Wi-Fi 6E APs and clients emerge in the market, here are some points to consider on making the upgrade to your wireless LAN:

1. Understand regulatory requirements: Before deploying Wi-Fi 6E, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in your region. Understand the specific rules and regulations governing the use of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi purposes, including transmit power limits and channel availability.

2. Assess network requirements: Assess your organization’s network requirements, including expected user density, traffic volume, and application demands. It’s essential to understand how these capabilities align with your network’s needs.
3. Assess user devices: Evaluate your current user base and understand what devices you expect to be used on the Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 6E offers higher data rates and increased capacity, but user devices also have to be Wi-Fi 6E capable to utilize the 6GHz band.
4. Evaluate network infrastructure: Ensure that your network infrastructure, including switches, routers, and cabling, supports the bandwidth requirements of Wi-Fi 6E. Upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E APs without upgrading other components may result in bottlenecks and suboptimal performance.
5. Conduct site surveys: Perform thorough site surveys to identify the optimal placement of access points (APs) and ensure adequate coverage throughout the deployment area. Consider factors such as building layout, construction materials, and potential sources of interference.
6. Plan for channel allocation: Take advantage of the additional channels available in the 6GHz band to minimize interference and maximize network capacity. Plan channel allocation carefully, considering factors such as channel width, neighboring networks, and potential sources of interference.
7. Enable security features: Implement robust security measures to protect your Wi-Fi network from unauthorized access and potential security threats. Take advantage of Wi-Fi 6E’s enhanced security features, such as WPA3 encryption and Protected Management Frames (PMF).

Eric Geier is a freelance tech writer. He’s also the founder of NoWiresSecurity providing a cloud-based Wi-Fi security service, Wi-Fi Surveyors providing RF site surveying, and On Spot Techs providing general IT services.