Wi-Fi market will boom to USD 15.60 Billion by 2022- A report conducted by MarketsandMarkets™.
The global 5G market is forecasted to have a value of USD 620.72 Billion by 2030- Statista.
Wi-Fi 6 has begun the new era of high-performing connectivity and security, and with lower cost to deploy, maintain, and scale—indeed, it will continue to be the predominant technology for home and business environments.
However, the ever-increasing demand for higher data rates and reduced buffering times led to the constant evolution of cellular communication and transmission. And this is where 5G is all set to hold the baton and has already established the high-performance connectivity that was never experienced earlier.
5G – A Quick Glance
It is the fifth-generation standard for mobile networks, committed to unleashing a massive 5G IoT ecosystem. It is designed to enhance speed, reduce latency while improving connectivity for billions of connected devices.
Prominent features of 5G
It consists of ultra-low latency and network slicing, enabling operators to “slice” 5G bandwidth into discrete partitions with different speed, latency, and tailored QoS levels.
Allows mobile data traffic capacity per unit area to increase to 1000x times.
In the transmission rate, the typical user data rate enhances to 10 to 100x times more with the peak transmission rate up to 10 Gbps for mobile communication technology.
Removes the delay clutter by 5 times while ensuring smooth passage for seamless connectivity.
On the accessibility front, the number of network-connectable devices is increased by 10 to 100 times.
Improves the battery life of low-power Massive Machine Communication-MMC 10 times.
Simplifies mobility, with seamless open roaming capabilities between cellular and Wi-Fi access.
Easy to connect low-bandwidth IoT devices used in edge environments- from handling an autonomous machine to providing network in rough terrain or wild turf.
To be precise, 5G is not limited to the faster speed but ensures to bring the tariff cheaper, as with 5G, every GB shall be computed at a point very close to the point of consumption. This will allow the amount of GB to rise exponentially, but the cost per GB will be significantly lower.
Will Wi-Fi turn obsolete?
Undeniably, 5G has marked the beginning of a new era of network connectivity and security. It has spurred digital transformation disrupting a chain of industries while transmuting the traditional ways of working. In simpler terms, the value chains have turned into value networks, enabling intense customer relationships as the connectivity ecosystem turns more reliable and robust with 5G.
However, envisaging 5G to replace Wi-Fi requires a comprehensive approach. To start with, indoor coverage is one of the most in-demand factors since the pandemic has hit the world. Here, 5G network requires the higher frequency millimetre waves and higher C-Band, which need to build multiple base stations. Due to increased environmental concern, it is unfeasible to make several base stations into residential neighbourhoods.
This simply concludes that 5G doesn’t have the adequate potential of its predecessor 4G even to penetrate the wall, making it difficult to receive signals indoors.
On the other hand, Wi-Fi 6 installed indoors can make a pace with the growing demand for indoor and outdoor coverage. The single wireless Access Point can support thousands of simultaneous clients on voice calls or IoT devices. Wi-Fi 6 can efficiently manage spectrum than earlier Wi-Fi generations. The ability to offer connectivity to devices with disparate requirements can be managed with a grown number of connections.
In simple words, Wi-Fi 6 has been battle-tested to handle real connectivity. It is not just offering connectivity to IoT-based devices, it is also designed to be compatible with ever-expanding data requirements.
Wi-Fi 6, 6E and beyond, are designed to fit the needs of a wide variety of new applications, including IoT. Further, its deployment and upgrades are super-smooth to carry more data, enabling a vast number of devices in the home and offices to connect seamlessly. Undoubtedly, 5G and Wi-Fi together as a unit, will cater to the needs of distinct use-cases and continue to act in conjunction and co-operate, rather than competing.
5G would not replace Wi-Fi; it would rather evolve the existing or futuristic Wi-Fi network in a smart way while boosting performance with precision.
Wi-Fi 6- Future of BESPOKE Automation
Eventually, Wi-Fi 6, unlike its previous Wi-Fi generations, is a perfect choice to provide seamless connectivity at enterprise/indoor/large indoor venues, allowing users and devices to stay connected effortlessly.
On the other hand, 5G NR- new radio is designed and developed to rely on a high-frequency spectrum to attain higher speeds. Albeit, the design is ideal for the outdoor environment, with minor or no barrier. Still, inherently with 5G, it becomes a far-fetched goal for its signals to pass through buildings or indoor enterprise locations. To achieve seamless connectivity, additional equipment needs to be installed, spiking the cost to another extent.
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, 5G is certainly different from any of its previous mobile generations. It is highly anticipated 5G would bring a strategic difference in the way services are connected to the users while facilitating the digitization, automation, and connectivity to machines, healthcare, transport sector, among many others.
– Anuj Mago, AVP-Sales, HFCL Ltd.
5G or Wi-Fi; who wins the battle?
5G technology has the potential to empower the Wi-Fi network of the future.
At the outset, when the table turns to discuss 5G swapping Wi-Fi, there is a lot to be hashed out before making a final verdict.
5G comes loaded with a glut of benefits; simultaneously, the bandwagon of perks Wi-Fi 6 is driving on is stealing the limelight. These two advanced technologies’ coexistence would improve the overall user experience and build a subtle platform for seamless connectivity. This would further utilize both technologies’ distinctive capabilities to offer substantially
increased data rates with negligible latency. This would also make it easier for mobile data to be offloaded to Wi-Fi and decongest sites.
Final thoughts
The advanced technologies would keep evolving to push the envelope of futuristic connectivity, wherein slower speeds will be a thing of the past.
The incredible medley of Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and beyond and 5G has the potential to provide improved connectivity with negligible latency. Hence, it is clear that Wi-Fi shall remain an integral part of the overall wireless ecosystem and complement 5G to provide the optimal user experience.
To stay updated about fast-paced wireless innovation, you can reach out to us at iosales@hfcl.com.
This blog was written by Anuj Mago, Associate Vice-President, Sales, HFCL Ltd.
