Generations
| Name | Standard | Year | What it brought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 4 | 802.11n | 2009 | Multiple antennas (MIMO) |
| Wi-Fi 5 | 802.11ac | 2013 | Full use of 5 GHz |
| Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ax | 2019 | Many devices at once |
| Wi-Fi 6E | 802.11ax | 2021 | The new 6 GHz band |
| Wi-Fi 7 | 802.11be | 2024 | Combining bands, lower latency |
Why it doesn't work everywhere at home
- Walls and ceilings weaken the signal, especially reinforced concrete and underfloor heating.
- 2.4 GHz reaches further but is slower and crowded by neighbours.
- 5 and 6 GHz are fast but don't get through many walls.
- A router hidden in a cupboard or a corner of the flat covers only part of it.
The fix
Rather than one powerful router, it is better to have several access points: a mesh system or cabled access points. It also helps to split devices into separate networks, for example guests and cameras on their own. That is exactly what I do as part of the Networks and Wi-Fi service.