Learn about WiGig, the new super fast WiFi standard

WiFi 6 is about to be released, but that's not the fastest wireless technology you can get. WiGig is designed to provide super fast speeds, within short distances also about to "dock" in 2019.

Basically about WiGig

WiGig wirelessly transmits data at 60HGz, while WiFi 6 and other WiFi versions use 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies. The 60GHz frequency is less congested than the 2.4GHz and 5GHz, helping to transmit more data at the same time. That means, the speed of wireless data transmission will be faster, in other words, WiFi will be faster when using WiGig.

Specifically, the current version of WiGig achieves 5Gbps speed when used in practice. The speed of WiFi 6 is about 2Gbps, the maximum speed with optimal conditions is only 3.5 Gbps. Meanwhile, the new, better version of WiGig that we are talking about here can achieve 10Gbps speed.

This seems to be good news, but there are still bad news. The short wavelengths of WiGig make it much smaller in scope than other WiFi versions. The Wi-Fi Alliance said that the current version of WiGig can support distances up to 10m, thanks to beamforming. However, the WiGig signal will be difficult to cross walls or other obstacles. WiGig devices can be reduced to 2.4GHz or 5GHz when needed, and of course, the speed is reduced accordingly.

WiFi Alliance expects WiGig to start taking off in 2017. (Photo: The Hacker News)

WiGig is 802.11ad and 802.11ay

WiGig was first introduced in 2009 by the Wireless Gigabit Alliance (a trade association promoting the technology). In 2013, the Wireless Gigabit Alliance closed and the Wi-Fi Alliance took over. Wi-FI CERTIFIED WiGig is currently a Wi-Fi Alliance standard, like the WPA3 security standard.

The original version of WiGig was released in 2012, using the 802.11ad standard. It provides speeds of about 5Gbps in a maximum distance of 10m.

The new, faster version, called 802.11ay, is expected to be released in 2019, so you'll have to wait until next year to see WiGig products faster. According to Qualcomm sources, the new standard could be twice as fast, and the range could be up to 100m, but if in an environment with walls and obstructions, WiFi speeds will still be affected.

Don't confuse these standards with 802.11ax, which is WiFi 6.

Where is WiGig used?

WiGig is not born to replace WiFi 6. Even with a wider range in the new WiGig standard, WiGig cannot penetrate walls or other obstacles. You will want to have 2 devices using WiGig in the same room, no walls or obstacles to take advantage of WiGig. Here are some technologies that can use WiGig:

1. Computers can power wireless, high-resolution virtual reality headsets. HTC's Vive wireless adapter is also using WiGig.
2. Phones, tablets, computers can transfer content to TVs or other high-resolution screens in the same room. The Asus ROG Phone can use WiGig with its screen dock to connect wirelessly to a large TV screen.
3. Outdoor wireless access points can communicate via WiGig at super fast speeds, providing wireless Internet connectivity, just like how 5G can provide Internet at home. Facebook also uses this technology for its project of providing wireless Internet, Terragraph.
4. WiGig helps send data between two devices faster, as long as they are close enough and there are no obstacles. This is a dedicated wireless technology that not all devices can use, if flexibility is needed, WiFi 6 will be a better choice.

How to have WiGig

Think of WiGig as an optional add-on for WiFi. Any device that supports WiGig will also support basic WiFi standards like WiFi 6. But the opposite is not sure, ie not all devices that support WiFi 6 have WiGig.

If you like this technology, read the ads carefully, see if they support WiGig. The 802.11ad standard has been around for a while, but the number of devices that support it is still modest. The device supports 802. will be launched in 2019.

Large devices that support WiGig are now in "closed" form, such as the Vive wireless adapter that communicates with its own receiver via WiGig, Asus ROG phones and its dock communicating with its own adapter via WiGig .

Theoretically, in the future, you can buy a router, a laptop with WiGig and get super fast speeds to the extent possible, although these devices are not currently on the market.

See more:

1. How to find Wi-Fi passwords of relatives
2. Learn about Decibel (dB) in computer networks
3. What is the Wi-Fi Mesh system? How does it work?