The last two years saw many countries adopt 5G, but Wi-Fi 6 devices are now quietly outselling 5G devices by a large margin and will likely continue to do so for the next few years. Deloitte Global predicts that more Wi-Fi 6 devices will ship in 2022 than 5G devices, to the tune of at least 2.5 billion Wi-Fi 6 versus 1.5 billion 5G.
The reason for this is that Wi-Fi 6, just as much as 5G, has a significant role to play in the future of wireless connectivity — not just for consumers, but also for the enterprise. Smartphones, tablets, and PCs are some of the most popular Wi-Fi 6-equipped devices, but Wi-Fi 6 is also used in many others, including wireless cameras, smart home devices, game consoles, wearables, and AR/VR headsets.
Kevin Westcott, Deloitte Global, Telecommunications, Media & Entertainment Sector Leader, said: “Though Wi-Fi 6 and 5G are equal partners in terms of building solutions, our survey shows that enterprise Wi-Fi 6 pilots and deployments are outpacing 5G.
“One likely reason is cost, as Wi-Fi 6 devices are more affordable and more widely available than 5G devices, and because Wi-Fi 6 uses free, unlicensed spectrum, and 5G generally requires enterprises to license spectrum from network providers or government entities.”
READ MORE: Deloitte Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications 2022 predictions (Deloitte)
WAIT, WE’RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT 6G? WHAT ABOUT 5G?
6G may already be on the horizon, but there’s still a lot to understand about the benefits — and limitations — of 5G, which is rolling out across the US but has yet to reach peak saturation. Dive into these selections from the NAB Amplify archives to learn what, exactly, 5G is, how it differs from 4G, and — most importantly — how 5G will bolster the Media & Entertainment industry on the road ahead:
- Why 5G is the Cool Thing That Still Hasn’t Happened
- Without a Killer App, We’re Still Waiting on 5G
- Why Is 5G Advanced So Important to 5G Adoption?
- 5G Technology Goes Way Beyond Better Cellphone Service
- 6G Mobile Networks Begin to Take Shape… With 7G Already in the Wings
What Are the Differences Between 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E?
Chuck Lukaszewski, vice president and chief wireless technologist at Aruba, breaks it down: