WiFi 6E in 2025 - Is it still suitable for your organization?

WiFi 6E is no longer a pipe dream. Three years ago, we already discussed the benefits of the additional 6 GHz band.

Now that the technology has matured, the question arises: Should we switch, or is it better to wait a bit longer?

What does WiFi 6E offer?

A brief overview. What is it, what should you consider, and a practical example.

WiFi 6E – what is it?

• Extra spectrum at 6 GHz → more channels (80/160 MHz), higher speed, and less interference.
• Gigabit performance with low latency → perfect for video conferencing, cloud AR/VR, and data reporting.
• High capacity per AP → ideal for dense device populations and BYOD environments.
• A truly BYOD and guest network-friendly experience → users expect to work seamlessly with their own devices.

What should you consider when switching to WiFi 6E?

• Cabling: at least Cat6a required.
• Switches: 5/10Gbps uplinks avoid bottlenecks.
• Clients: many devices don't (yet) support 6E – inventory your fleet.
• Investment: APs with tri-band are more expensive, so prioritize locations where the benefits are clear.

As with any IT network, the following also applies to a WiFi 6E network: The weakest link determines the user experience.

So make sure your entire IT infrastructure is up to date, secure, and compliant.
Our engineers can provide excellent advice and support. We are specialists in highly available networks for a reason.

Recent use case with WiFi 6E

A university of applied sciences with 1,200 students and two locations was reaching the limits of its legacy WiFi. In collaboration with Procyon Networks, a full WiFi 6E implementation was carried out, including new switches and Fortinet security.

*The result:

• Extensive coverage in busy classrooms
• Better performance for hybrid learning and cloud applications
• Secure, automated access for students, teachers, and guests (FortiNAC)
• Reduced management required thanks to central network visibility
• Users instantly happy: “everything just worked straight away.”

Preview: WiFi 7 is here (and what that means)

Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) has been certified since January 2024 and is becoming increasingly popular. With features such as 320MHz channels, 4K-QAM, and Multi-Link Operation, it offers a significant technical leap.
The current reality, however, is that compatible BYOD devices are still limited. Many devices don't yet support Wi-Fi 7.

However, compatibility is increasing rapidly, for example, thanks to Wi-Fi 7 support in the iPhone 16 series.

Wi-Fi 6E is still a practical choice for many organizations. However, Wi-Fi 7 is the future.
A phased migration—first 6E, later 7—might be a suitable option for your organization.

Want to explore whether Wi-Fi 6E or switching to Wi-Fi 7 right away is the best option for your organization?
Get in touch with us: https://www.procyonnetworks.com/contact/

*Coming soon in one of our next blogs: a deep dive into Wi-Fi 7: technical possibilities, enterprise use cases, infrastructure requirements, and what your organization needs to know now.

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