The increasingly mobile wired broadband industry continues to one-up wireless 5G, at least in the numbers game. On the heels of the announcement of work on 10G--as in gigabit, not "generation"--fixed service, the WiFi Alliance has unveiled the certification program for WiFi 6. That's the designation for next generation of WiFi announced in October.
Related: Arris Introduces New WiFi 6 System for Gigabit-Speed Homes
WiFi remains cable's chief way of getting broadband to their "wired" customers wherever they roam.
The new program is to insure that WiFi devices using the latest IEEE 802.11ax technology comply with interoperability and security standards and provide the capacity, coverage and performance of next-gen.
The program is expected to launch in the third quarter.
WiFi 6 products, including high-performance access points (no decaf-speeds at the local coffee shop) and laptops are being shown off at CES2019 in Las Vegas this week. WiFi 6 will accommodate HD streaming, virtual reality, interactive HD and more.
“WiFi 6 delivers features to satisfy users’ evolving connectivity needs and to enable more efficiency in the expanding places where users rely on WiFi,” said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO, WiFi Alliance. “The sixth generation of WiFi is here today," said Vijay Nagarajan VP of the Mobile Connectivity Division at Broadcom. "Market-leading WiFi 6 routers, powered by Broadcom's chips, are already available at retail outlets including Amazon and Best Buy. 2019 will be the year of WiFi 6 as it rapidly proliferates with smart phones. The wireless experience on our mobile phones will now be ever so swift, secure, and steady as we seamlessly stream or share our digital memories."
