Defining differences of Wi-Fi 6 vs. 5G
Both cellular and wireless LAN (or WLAN) have ushered in a new generation of technologies, and it's time for these technologies to unite rather than compete.
While there are some differences between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G, these differences are primarily standards differences between cellular and Wi-Fi technologies as a whole. In fact, Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are so similar that experts advise organizations not to pit the two technologies against each other, but to explore ways in which Wi-Fi 6 and 5G can work together.
In the Wi-Fi world, Wi-Fi 6 aims to set itself apart from past generations, bringing a next-generation naming system, enhanced IoT capabilities, and multi-user support. For cellular networks, 5G introduces ultra-fast network speeds never before seen in cellular technology, along with low latency and faster download speeds.
Defining Wi-Fi 6 and 5G
Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 is the latest generation of WLAN technology, also known as 802.11ax. Although the Wi-Fi Alliance has adopted a new naming system, the transition to Wi-Fi 6 is similar to the growth process of its predecessors; Wi-Fi 6 builds on the capabilities of previous generations, but aims to improve capacity and performance. Wi-Fi 6 also introduces new features such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access for multi-user support.
5G. Fifth-generation wireless technology is the latest generation of cellular technology designed to dramatically improve network speed and reliability. With 5G, users can gain real-time communication capabilities, and 5G can develop various new applications and functions to support users and businesses.
Common goals of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G include increased bandwidth and network speeds, and lower latency. Both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G aim to improve upon their respective previous generations and enhance the user experience. However, while the two technologies share many similarities, they have key differences that allow them to complement each other and provide organizations with alternative connectivity options.
Key differences between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G include:
technology type
licensing
authentication
network security
use cases
Comparing the Differences Between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G technology type.
Many of the differences between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G stem from differences between their technology types, and this is the most notable difference between Wi-Fi 6 and 5G. 5G is a cellular technology, while Wi-Fi 6 is Wi-Fi, a version of WLAN technology. Technology types vary by licensing, authentication, and use case.
Technology types also vary in connectivity. With Wi-Fi, organizations use routers and service provider access points to connect to the Internet. For cellular, cell towers and small cells provide connectivity to connected devices.
license. Cellular technology is carrier-based, and so is 5G technology. This means that carriers only operate cellular networks on licensed frequency bands, designed to prevent interference between connected devices. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, operates in unlicensed frequency bands that do not require a license.
However, 5G will move out of the cellular package in this regard and operate in both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands. This can create interference between 5G and Wi-Fi 6 signals that are close to each other and will require additional planning in deployments to avoid interference.
verify. While a license is not required to use the license-exempt spectrum of Wi-Fi technology, accessing the Wi-Fi network itself requires a license. To access a Wi-Fi network, users typically need a SSID (or network name) and a password. Additionally, Wi-Fi 6 introduces a new type of authentication called simultaneous peer authentication to enhance protection against bad actors.
As for cellular access, that's simple and readily available for connected devices, since cellular networks don't have the same authentication requirements as Wi-Fi networks. However, 5G also uses multiple authentication types, including 5G Authentication and Key Agreement, Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP)-AKA, and EAP-Transport Layer Security, to enhance 5G network security.
cyber security. Security has been a 5G concern for experts due to the potentially high cost of securing 5G networks and increased concerns about vulnerabilities. However, 5G will introduce several security concepts, including security anchor functions, subscription persistent identifiers, and subscription hidden identifiers. These features enable seamless and secure device re-authentication as connected devices move between networks, something that was not guaranteed by previous generations of cellular networks.
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