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Wi-Fi 101 — Wi-Fi 6E Progress and Reality

Evan McCann

Originally Posted: May 16th, 2021

TL;DR:

  • 6 GHz availability is expanding, but far from universal.

  • Wi-Fi 6E product selection is limited: Mostly high-end, expensive, and hard to buy.

  • Generally speaking, 6 GHz offers less range but higher maximum throughput than 5 GHz.

  • Wider channels are more feasible than with 5 GHz, and throughput above 1 Gbps is possible.

  • The rules are still being made, and the benefits of 6 GHz haven’t been fully realized yet.

Wi-Fi 101 — Wi-Fi 6E Progress and Reality

Wi-Fi 6E is Here*!

*Kind of. The current status of the 6 GHz spectrum and Wi-Fi 6E is complicated. Getting the details right requires reading through white papers and dense documents from regulatory bodies. It also requires sorting through a lot of marketing hype and outdated information.

This post is a summary of everything I’ve been able to find as of May 2021. If you notice anything that is wrong or needs updated, please let me know.

Table of Contents

  • Quick Review: What is Wi-Fi 6E? ↩︎
  • ISM and U-NII Wi-Fi Bands ↩︎
  • Wi-Fi 6E Availability ↩︎
  • Global Wi-Fi 6E Timeline ↩︎
  • Wi-Fi 6E Device Classes and EIRP Limits ↩︎
  • Wi-Fi 6E Certified products ↩︎
  • My Wi-Fi 6E Experience So Far ↩︎
  • The Road Ahead ↩︎
  • Sources and Further Reading ↩︎

Quick Review: What Is Wi-Fi 6E?

Wi-Fi 6E is the Wi-Fi 6 standard, extended into the 6 GHz band. It uses the same technology as Wi-Fi 6, but offers greater availability of wider channel sizes, and access to clearer spectrum with less interference from legacy Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi 6E access points are typically dual or tri-band, and backwards compatible with 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz devices. However, only Wi-Fi 6E clients are able to access the new spectrum.

The addition of 1200 MHz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band is arguably the biggest change in wireless networking since the original 802.11 standard came out in 1997, or the original allocation of the ISM bands in 1985. For perspective, there is less than 260 MHz of unrestricted spectrum available in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. For more background on what Wi-Fi 6E is, refer to my previous posts where I explained Wi-Fi 6E In Depth and explained the differences between Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6 and 802.11ax.

Before we look at some Wi-Fi 6E products and performance, I want to look at all the frequencies available for Wi-Fi, where Wi-Fi 6E is available, and the timeline of events that led us here.

The Linksys Atlas Max 6E is the first tri-band Wi-Fi 6E mesh kit, available as a three piece kit for $1,199 (ouch!) in the US.

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ISM and U-NII Wi-Fi Bands

2.4 GHz ISM Band

  • 2.4 GHz ISM: 2400 - 2500 MHz

    • Availability of the full 100 MHz varies by country.

      • Most allow 82 MHz for Wi-Fi — Channels 1 to 13

      • The US FCC only allows 72 MHz for Wi-Fi — Channels 1 to 11

    • Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other wireless technologies also operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.

5 GHz U-NII Bands

  • U-NII-1: 5150 - 5250 MHz

  • U-NII-2: 5250 - 5725

    • Conflicts with radar and satellite communication, requiring the use of dynamic frequency selection (DFS).

    • Broken into three sub-bands, with different rules for each.

      • U-NII-2A — 5250 - 5350 MHz

      • U-NII-2B — 5350 - 5470 MHz (unavailable for Wi-Fi)

      • U-NII-2C — 5470 - 5725 MHz

  • U-NII-3: 5725 - 5850 MHz

  • U-NII-4: 5850 - 5925 MHz

    • Generally not available for Wi-Fi.

    • Since 1999, the US FCC allocated U-NII-4 for a vehicle-safety technology Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), which was was never widely used in the US.

    • In late 2020, the US FCC reallocated 45 MHz (5850 - 5895 MHz) for use in Wi-Fi.

      • Indoor operation is allowed, but outdoor operation rules are still being finalized.

      • The other 30MHz (5895 - 5925 MHz) is set aside for a newer vehicle-safety technology called Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X).

6 GHz U-NII Bands (Wi-Fi 6E)

  • U-NII-5: 5925 - 6425 MHz

    • Indoor/outdoor

    • Channels 1 to 97

  • U-NII-6: 6425 - 6525 MHz

    • Indoor only

    • Channels 101 to 117

  • U-NII-7: 6525 - 6875 MHz

    • Indoor/outdoor

    • Channels 121 to 185

  • U-NII-8: 6875 - 7125 MHz

    • Indoor only

    • Channels 189 to 223

Channels available in the 6 GHz band. Image credit: litepoint.com

Refer to the U-NII Wikipedia article and List of WLAN channels for more details, and a breakdown of availability by country.

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Wi-Fi 6E Availability (as of May 2021)

While the US FCC was the first to announce a decision, regulators around the world have been considering making 6 GHz unlicensed for years. Some regulators are still working through that process, and some haven’t officially started. As of May 2021, this is the list of countries where unlicensed 6 GHz operation is being made possible. The Wi-Fi Alliance maintains a list of all countries enabling Wi-Fi 6E.

Approved Full 1200 MHz

  • Brazil

  • Chile

  • Costa Rica

  • Guatemala

  • Honduras

  • Peru

  • Saudia Arabia

  • South Korea

  • United States

Approved 500 MHz (U-NII-5 only)

  • European Union* (5925-5945 MHz excluded)

  • Greenland

  • United Arab Emirates

  • United Kingdom

Considering Full 1200 MHz

  • Australia

  • Canada

  • Colombia

  • Japan

  • Jordan

  • Mexico

  • Qatar

Considering 500 MHz (U-NII-5 only)

  • Argentina

  • Africa (ATU)

  • Egypt

  • Oman

  • Russia

  • Turkey

Map of Wi-Fi 6E availability as of May 2021. Image credit: wi-fi.org

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Global Wi-Fi 6E Timeline

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Wi-Fi 6E Device Classes and EIRP Limits

There are three main categories of Wi-Fi 6E devices. The classes are mostly shared, but the rules controlling their use vary by country. There are more details and exceptions than what I’m listing here. Refer to your local regulatory bodies rules for more details, such as the US FCC’s guidance for operating the 6 GHz band.

Standard Power (SP)

  • Indoors or outdoors, with integrated or external antennas.

  • U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands only.

  • Require the use of an Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) provider to avoiding interfering with incumbent services.

    • AFC availability is still in process in the US, and other regions are still working on their solutions. AFC is unlikely to be widely available before 2022.

  • Operate at a maximum of 36 dBm EIRP (in the US).

    • SP clients generally operate at 6 dBm less than the AP they’re connected to, and rely on their AP for AFC.

Low Power Indoor (LPI)

  • Indoor only, integrated antenna required. Cannot use external antennas, battery power, or weatherproof enclosures.

  • Can use the full 1200 MHz (depending on availability).

  • Require contention-based protocols to protect incumbent services, but not AFC.

  • Operate at a maximum of 30 dBm EIRP (in the US).

    • LPI clients generally operate at 6 dBm less than the AP they’re connected to.

Very Low Power (VLP)

  • Mobile, indoors and outdoors, but offer limited range.

  • Can use the full 1200 MHz (depending on availability).

  • Require contention-based protocols to protect incumbent services, but not AFC.

  • Operate at a maximum of 14 dBm EIRP (in the EU).

  • The US FCC is still working on their rules for VLP devices.

Channel Width Impact on EIRP

  • Maximum EIRP is calculated for 320 MHz-wide channels, which are not available in Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).

    • 802.11be, the draft of what will likely become Wi-Fi 7, allows for 320 MHz wide channels.

  • 160 MHz channels reduce max EIRP by 3 dB.

  • 80 MHz channels reduce max EIRP by 6 dB.

  • 40 MHz channels reduce max EIRP by 9 dB.

  • 20 MHz channels reduce max EIRP by 12 dB.

  • These numbers are subject to change as 6 GHz rules are finalized, and 802.11be drafts evolve.

The Linksys Atlas AXE8500 Tri-Band Mesh Kit

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Wi-Fi 6E Certified Products (as of May 2021)

While the number of countries supporting the 6 GHz band is expanding, the number of 6 GHz capable devices is too. 338 million Wi-Fi 6 devices are expected to be sold in 2021, and analysts at IDC expect roughly 20% of all Wi-Fi 6 devices to support the 6E standard by 2022. There are many draft Wi-Fi 6E products available now, but only a handful of them have been officially certified by the Wi-Fi alliance for compatibility and inter-operation.

Refer to the Wi-Fi Alliance Product Finder for the most updated list, and details about the specific capabilities that are required to be Wi-Fi 6E certified.

Routers and Wi-Fi Access Points

  • Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000

  • Linksys MX8500 (Atlas Max 6E mesh kit)

    • Uses Qualcomm Pro 1210 Chipset

  • Linksys MR7500 (Hydra Pro 6E all-in-one)

    • Uses Qualcomm Pro 810 Chipset

Wi-Fi cards

  • Intel AX210

Phones

  • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

    • SM-G998U - USA model

    • SM-G998N - South Korea model

TVs

Chipsets

  • Broadcom BCM94391

  • Broadcom BCM94908R43684W6E

  • MaxLinear MMID 99A3A0

  • Mediatek MT7915 and MT7915STA

  • Mediatek MTK921K

    • Used in AMD’s recently announced RZ608

  • ON Semiconductor QSR10GU-AX 8x8

  • Qualcomm IPQ8074 (Networking Pro 1210)

  • Qualcomm CA-WIFI6ESTA-50 (Reference Design)

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My Wi-Fi 6E Experience So Far

Like most people, I have spent more time reading about Wi-Fi 6E than using it. Wi-Fi 6E sounds impressive, but how does it work in reality? I don’t have a full answer yet, no one does. It’s still early days for 6 GHz, and we won’t be able to see all of the benefits until more networks and client devices support it. All we can get right now is a sneak peak of what’s to come.

Recently I was able to get my hands on some 6 GHz equipment to test with. The process was exciting, and at times frustrating. It’s hard to get accurate information about Wi-Fi 6E in general, and using it isn’t always easy either. I’ll start by covering the equipment I used, and briefly talk about my experience and the performance I’ve seen so far.

Linksys Atlas Max 6E and Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500

The Linksys Atlas Max 6E is a high-end mesh system, currently with an MSRP of $1,199 for a three piece kit. The Atlas Max 6E is similar to the Velop AX5 kit I reviewed a few months back. Refer to that review for details about the setup process, the Velop ecosystem, and the limits of the app and device. Almost everything I didn’t like about the MX5 applies to the Atlas Max 6E, with a few new frustrations on top.

My other Wi-Fi 6E access point was the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500. I recently reviewed the Netgear Orbi RBK852, which covers a lot of the same things my Velop AX5 review does. I’m not here to talk about the app or setup experience, just the 6 GHz aspects. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the RAXE500, and had a better experience with it than the Atlas Max 6E.

While neither of these would be my personal top pick for a home network, I preferred the additional control the RAXE500 gave me. The Linksys app and web interface are both quite poor - offering very little in the app, and barely anything else in the web interface. The Netgear at least gives you control over channel selection, MU-MIMO, implicit beamforming, and a few other advanced Wi-Fi settings. The Atlas Max 6E offers great coverage and speeds, but the app and the control it allows are minimal, and borderline insulting for its price.

Intel AX210, Windows Betas and Wi-Fi Analyzers

I didn’t have a Galaxy S21 Ultra to test with, so that meant I was stuck with an Intel AX210 card. Plug it in, grab the drivers, easy right? Not quite.

Thankfully, trailblazers like Dong Kno and Tim Higgins at Small Net Builder have taken the plunge before I did, and I referred to their findings for help. The first thing I did was follow Tim’s instructions for getting 6 GHz support enabled on the Intel AX210. Since Microsoft hasn’t officially added support for 6 GHz, I signed up for the Windows 10 Insider program and installed the latest beta. After a few reboots and a minor registry tweak, 6 GHz support was enabled.

Confirming 6 GHz support wasn’t easy, as all the normal (*read: free*) Wi-Fi analyzer apps I tried only recognized the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. I don’t have access to any professional 6 GHz analyzer hardware or software. Until consumer-grade analyzer apps are updated to support Wi-Fi 6E, most of us will be stuck in the same situation.

Adding to the confusion, Window’s didn’t show the channels and bands properly, showing all 6 GHz connections as 5 GHz connections on channel 36. By separating the SSID’s I was able to manually connect to the 6 GHz band of the Velop Atlas Max 6E and the Netgear RAXE500, and able to confirm a 6 GHz in their apps or web interfaces.

Authentication: WPA3 and OWE

The authentication methods for Wi-Fi 6E clients vary by which band they’re operating in:

  • 2.4 GHz: WPA2, WPA3, WPA2/3 Mixed, OWE, Open

  • 2.4 GHz: WPA2, WPA3, WPA2/3 Mixed, OWE, Open

  • 6 GHz: WPA3 or OWE

Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) is the only authentication method available for the 6 GHz band. When I tried to use WPA3 with my Intel AX210 card, I wasn’t able to connect. I’ve read that a future firmware update from Intel will address that. Since I wasn’t able to associate with WPA3-Personal, I turned to my only other option: OWE.

Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) is a new standard for encrypting open Wi-Fi networks. It doesn’t provide authentication, meaning that anyone can join the network, but it does encrypt the traffic between AP and client. The Wi-Fi Alliance has a good overview of what OWE is, and their Wi-Fi Enhanced Open certification. The very short summary of OWE is that it adds encryption to Wi-Fi networks without requiring a password. Both WPA3 and OWE rely on AES encryption underneath, but no security method is perfect.

Multi-Gigabit Ports and early Performance Metrics

What everyone wants to know: yes, you can break the 1 Gbps barrier with 160 MHz channels in 5 GHz or 6 GHz. This requires a strong connection between AP and client, and 2.5 Gbps or higher ports to effectively use. Thankfully, both of the systems I tested had a multi-gigabit port, and 6 GHz allows for multiple clean 160 MHz channels.

I have no shortage of computers and networking equipment, but I’ve somehow managed to avoid getting a product with a multi-gigabit port. For testing, I got a few 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps USB Ethernet adapters, allowing me to break the gigabit barrier and the ~940 Mbps TCP throughput limit of a typical gigabit Ethernet port.

With 160 MHz channels and a 2.5 Gbps connection, iPerf TCP tests hovered around and above 1 Gbps of throughput to a single client. While this level of performance is possible with 5 GHz, it’s much more realistic to deploy 160 MHz channels or a somewhat-dense 80 MHz channel plan in the 6 GHz band.

iPerf and Connection details for the Netgear RAXE500. Note the incorrect band and channel shown, and the 16 parallel TCP streams used in iPerf.

As always, single-client throughput numbers are a shallow way to measure Wi-Fi performance. Interference, contention, and aggregate throughput isn’t something I’m setup to scientifically test, so I’ll point to Smallnetbuilder’s recent article on that.

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The Road Ahead

In a few years Wi-Fi 6E will be common, 6 GHz will be boring, and Wi-Fi 7 will be the next big thing. The Wi-Fi 7 spec is still being written, but it’s likely to support 320 MHz channels, higher lever 4096-QAM modulation, and multi-gigabit performance. The next Wi-Fi standard will take better advantage of 6 GHz. For now, it’s an open playground for RF nerds (besides those pesky satellites).

I’d love to work on full reviews of the Atlas Max 6E and RAXE500, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to say more than what I said here. I don’t have the required equipment to test with the level of depth I’d like, and more importantly I don’t have a ton of free time. As software support improves and more 6 GHz hardware is released, I’ll review more Wi-Fi 6E equipment as I’m able to.

I have written a few other posts like this in my Wi-Fi 101 series, so in the mean time you can check those out. These posts take a lot of time and a lot of work. This post took me over 40 hours of researching, testing, writing, editing, and photographing. If you appreciate these posts, consider using my Amazon affiliate links or making a donation to my tip jar.

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Sources and Further Reading