In 2019, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) became available to consumers, delivering speeds up to 2Gbps for wireless devices. Yet, it's not the pinnacle of Wi-Fi performance. The Wi-Fi Alliance has certified WiGig (802.11ad), which offers up to 5Gbps—but adoption remains limited due to practical challenges.
WiGig, also known as 802.11ad or Wireless AD, provides Wi-Fi speeds 7-8 times faster than 802.11ac. With theoretical download speeds up to 10Gbps, it can transfer an HD movie in seconds, offering ultra-low latency and near-wired responsiveness.
Operating on the 60GHz spectrum—unlike standard Wi-Fi's 2.4GHz or 5GHz—WiGig uses wider channels to transmit more data. Beamforming directs signals precisely between devices, minimizing interference. Its compact, thumb-sized antennas continue to shrink.
However, WiGig's speeds often exceed current ISP capabilities, limiting real-world benefits.
Despite its speed, WiGig struggles with short range and poor penetration through walls or objects, unlike traditional Wi-Fi. Devices typically require direct line-of-sight and dedicated adapters.
WiGig excels as a Wi-Fi supplement for high-bandwidth, short-range scenarios, such as:
WiGig outpaces Wi-Fi 6 in raw speed but lacks versatility. Wi-Fi 6 penetrates walls, covers larger areas, and integrates seamlessly into routers and devices for broad compatibility.
WiGig setups often need standalone adapters for direct streaming. While WiGig routers and laptops are emerging, they're scarce. Wi-Fi 6, soon ubiquitous, offers significant upgrades over 802.11ac.
Advancements continue: Qualcomm recently unveiled 802.11ay chipsets—the next WiGig evolution—supporting up to 10Gbps across devices. Theoretical peaks reach 40-50Gbps, but hardware lags behind.
WiGig promises wireless nirvana for niche uses, but Wi-Fi 6 delivers practical improvements for daily connectivity.
