Is it important to choose a WiFi 6 router for FTTH fiber connections or can a WiFi 5 device also work?WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is the latest incarnation of the WiFi standard which allows for even greater data transfer rates than WiFi 5 (802.11 ac).There are many innovations introduced with WiFi 6 and on the market the various manufacturers are gradually presenting the best performing routers capable of supporting the new standard.With the FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) fiber optic coverage that is getting wider and wider, is it essential or not to use WiFi 6 routers?The improvements introduced with WiFi 6 are many: devices can benefit from even more bandwidth and latencies tend to decrease even more compared to WiFi 5.Full duplex MU-MIMO technology allows multiple devices to communicate with the router faster, simultaneously and in both directions.A technical choice that allows you to reduce latency and ensure performance at the highest levels.WiFi 6 also doubles the number of spatial streams that can be managed in MU-MIMO with a maximum of 8 against the 4 of WiFi 5.Like WiFi 5's OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), OFDMA uses signal modulation to transfer more data on each channel by splitting it in a "clever" way so that it can be used simultaneously by multiple devices.While MU-MIMO is excellent for transmitting large amounts of data over multiple streams, OFDMA is ideal for frequently interacting with low-power, low-bandwidth devices (think Internet of Things devices in all our homes beyond than in the office and in the company).WiFi 6 allows you to reach 2.4 Gbps in dual-stream (2x2) and 4.8 Gbps with a quad-stream (4x4) if and only if the devices can exchange data using the new 160 MHz channels in addition to 1024 modulation -QAM.Scroll down these tables: in correspondence of "802.11ax 80 + 80 MHz channel" you will find the values ​​we refer to in green.There are few client devices that use 160 MHz channels and even fewer ones that support 1204-QAM modulation.It is therefore useless to have an ultra-performing WiFi 6 router if the WiFi clients are not able to take full advantage of the wireless connection.The overall bandwidth offered by the WiFi router must also be divided among the clients that are simultaneously connected, unless QoS (Quality of Service) policies are applied that prioritize data transfers to and from certain devices or carried out using specific applications and services.Returning to the question asked at the beginning of the article, is it essential to have a WiFi 6 router with an FTTH connection?The answer is no.Or better, to take advantage of 1 Gbps downstream offered as peak commercial value, even a WiFi 5 router is sufficient. Maybe you can adopt a quality 4x4 MIMO 802.11 ac (WiFi 5 "Wave 2") router capable of supporting beamforming and more functionality. evolved.As can be seen in the tables cited above (802.11ac 80 MHz channel), using WiFi 5 devices capable of using 80 MHz channels, MU-MIMO 4x4 and 256-QAM modulation, it is possible to exploit a band equal to 1.733 Mbps in conditions optimal.Well over 1 Gbps offered by the FTTH fiber connection.If you could take advantage of 160 MHz channels, always in MU-MIMO 4x4 and 256-QAM modulation, you could reach 3.5 Gbps with WiFi 5.As you can see, therefore, it is not essential to use WiFi 6 routers with FTTH fiber at 1 Gbps: it will be, however, when telecommunications operators will be able to offer connectivity based on the XGS-PON architecture, an evolution of the GPON scheme currently used.With XGS-PON it is possible to obtain up to 10 Gbps symmetrical (therefore both downstream and upstream).It should be borne in mind that even for fiber connections the bandwidth mentioned in the presentations of commercial offers may not coincide with that obtained in practice.In many cases, therefore, the downstream speed is lower than 1 Gbps.To understand the real potential of the FTTH connection, the advice is to connect a notebook with an Ethernet cable to the router (in turn connected to the ONT of the fiber provider) and carry out a series of speed tests.Understanding the real potential of the line, we can then focus on optimizing the WiFi network.It is useless to use a WiFi 6 router if most of the devices work on the 2.4 GHz frequencies or do not even support WiFi 5.Today, if anything, it is useful to focus one's attention on the preparation of a WiFi mesh network: depending on the size of the real estate unit to be covered (surface, volume, number of floors, external areas to be reached), one or more WiFi nodes can be used which the same SSID of the network will allow you to make the most of the available bandwidth even at a great distance from the router.In fact, this is the most common mistake: you focus too much on the router not considering that moving just a few rooms the bandwidth will collapse vertically and in WiFi you will not be able to take full advantage of the performance of the fiber optic connection.Some "enlightened" operators are offering a WiFi router coupled with a mesh node.When wiring the buildings it will be necessary to consider the type and length of the connection made with Ethernet cables.When choosing a router, some considerations are appropriate, bearing in mind the performance that can realistically be obtained with the various WiFi standards.IlSoftware.it is the Italian website about software.It offers news, articles, tips, insights and reviews on the world of software and technology.A reference point for technicians, professionals and SMEs that helps to make the right choices, solve problems and optimize workflows.To improve the business.We are the first to be demanding, like our readers.© 2001 - 2022 All Software by Nasi Michele - VAT: 02472210547 - All rights reserved - Privacy - Cookie information - Conditions - Credits - ADV Preferences