WiGig vs. Wi-Fi 6: Which Technology is Right for You?

With the increasing demand for faster and more reliable internet connectivity, the market for wireless networking technologies has become highly competitive. Two of the most popular wireless networking technologies in the market today are WiGig and Wi-Fi 6. Both technologies offer high-speed internet connectivity, but they differ in terms of their range, frequency, and compatibility. In this article, we will compare WiGig and Wi-Fi 6 and help you decide which technology is right for you.

Overview

WiGig, also known as IEEE 802.11ad, is a wireless networking technology that operates in the 60 GHz frequency band. It offers high-speed internet connectivity of up to 7 Gbps, making it ideal for applications that require high bandwidth, such as streaming 4K videos and online gaming. However, WiGig has a limited range of up to 10 meters and requires a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver.

On the other hand, Wi-Fi 6, also known as IEEE 802.11ax, is the latest wireless networking technology that operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. It offers high-speed internet connectivity of up to 9.6 Gbps and has a longer range than WiGig. Wi-Fi 6 is also backward compatible with previous Wi-Fi standards, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.

Key Players in the WiGig vs. Wi-Fi 6: Which Technology is Right for You?

The key players in the WiGig vs. Wi-Fi 6 market include Qualcomm, Intel, Broadcom, Samsung, and Huawei. These companies are investing heavily in research and development to improve the performance and reliability of their wireless networking technologies.

Qualcomm is one of the leading players in the Wi-Fi 6 market, with its Snapdragon X55 modem offering high-speed internet connectivity to smartphones and other mobile devices. Intel is also a major player in the Wi-Fi 6 market, with its AX200 wireless adapter offering high-speed internet connectivity to laptops and desktops. Broadcom is another major player in the Wi-Fi 6 market, with its BCM4375 chip offering high-speed internet connectivity to smartphones and other mobile devices.

On the other hand, Samsung and Huawei are investing heavily in WiGig technology, with Samsung’s Galaxy S10 5G smartphone and Huawei’s Mate 20 X 5G smartphone offering high-speed internet connectivity using WiGig technology.

Market Challenges

One of the major challenges facing the WiGig vs. Wi-Fi 6 market is the lack of compatibility between the two technologies. WiGig operates in the 60 GHz frequency band, while Wi-Fi 6 operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. This means that devices that support WiGig cannot connect to devices that support Wi-Fi 6, and vice versa.

Another challenge facing the market is the limited range of WiGig technology. WiGig has a range of up to 10 meters and requires a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver. This makes it unsuitable for applications that require long-range connectivity, such as outdoor networking and large-scale enterprise networking.

Market Opportunities

Despite the challenges facing the WiGig vs. Wi-Fi 6 market, there are several opportunities for growth and expansion. One of the major opportunities is the increasing demand for high-speed internet connectivity in homes and businesses. With the rise of smart homes and the Internet of Things (IoT), there is a growing need for wireless networking technologies that can support multiple devices and offer high-speed internet connectivity.

Another opportunity is the increasing adoption of 5G technology. 5G technology offers high-speed internet connectivity and has the potential to replace traditional wired networks. WiGig technology can be used to complement 5G technology by offering high-speed internet connectivity in areas where 5G coverage is limited.

Future of WiGig vs. Wi-Fi 6: Which Technology is Right for You?

The future of WiGig vs. Wi-Fi 6 is highly dependent on the development of new technologies and the adoption of new standards. Wi-Fi 6 is expected to become the dominant wireless networking technology in the market, with its backward compatibility and longer range making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

However, WiGig technology is expected to continue to grow in popularity, particularly in applications that require high bandwidth and low latency, such as virtual reality and augmented reality. The development of new technologies, such as beamforming and mesh networking, is also expected to improve the performance and reliability of WiGig technology.

Conclusion

WiGig and Wi-Fi 6 are two of the most popular wireless networking technologies in the market today. While both technologies offer high-speed internet connectivity, they differ in terms of their range, frequency, and compatibility. Wi-Fi 6 is expected to become the dominant wireless networking technology in the market, with its backward compatibility and longer range making it suitable for a wide range of applications. However, WiGig technology is expected to continue to grow in popularity, particularly in applications that require high bandwidth and low latency.