For years, technology leaders have been talking about 5G and Wi-Fi 6 as milestones in wireless networking. But, as technology evolves, so do the expectations and demands of those who depend on wireless connections. As the boundaries continue to be pushed, 6G and Wi-Fi 7 are now emerging as the next iteration of wireless technologies. Both standards are currently in development and promise next-level performance and improved capabilities.
Based on where and how they will be used, each one has its distinct advantages and disadvantages. And although they’re designed for different architectures and deployment areas, 6G and Wi-Fi 7 have one thing in common: They aim to support digital applications. Some of those use cases include:
- Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR)
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Ultra-fast connectivity
- Real-time communication
With these two options on the horizon, how can you decide which wireless technology will be the best fit for your organization?
Choosing the best next-gen wireless solution
To help you evaluate the best fit for your organization, let’s take a look at the unique strengths and potential limitations of 6G and Wi-Fi 7.
Why 6G stands out
The advantages of 6G begin with its high communication speeds. It supports speeds of up to 1 Tb/s and very low latencies, which makes 6G the technology of choice for time-critical applications such as:
- Autonomous vehicles
- Industrial automation
- Remote operations
The number of devices a 6G network can handle simultaneously is also a key advantage of this cellular technology, as well as the coverage a 6G network provides. It also has its own frequency spectrum, which means that, unlike Wi-Fi, its frequencies don’t have to be shared. In this sense, 6G can offer a more stable connection with greater reliability. Due to stricter regulations surrounding 6G, it is legally protected and offers a more secure and sustainable connection for users and organizations.
Another benefit of 6G is the fact that it supports network slicing. Specific frequencies can be reserved for certain functional areas to ensure dedicated bandwidth and performance.
In addition, 6G promises a significantly greater range than Wi-Fi 7. This extended coverage makes it especially well-suited for large-scale deployments and environments where consistent connectivity is needed across an expansive area.
Why Wi-Fi 7 stands out
When it comes to deployment and operational simplicity, however, 6G is at a disadvantage when compared to Wi-Fi 7.
It involves greater complexity and requires a license from regulatory authorities to operate, which can limit flexibility and accessibility. This burden is accompanied by higher upfront and ongoing maintenance expenses as well, which makes Wi-Fi 7 the clear winner in terms of costs.
Wi-Fi 7’s low complexity means it can be implemented and scaled for operation quickly but has its limits when it comes to scaling for covering large areas. Its simple configuration saves on personnel costs, since less specialized training and technical support are needed to maintain and optimize the network. It also improves energy efficiency by optimizing data transmissions and reducing idle time, so it can have a positive impact on long-term utility costs.
Because a core network is required, 6G networks demand more infrastructure and investment in high-performance backbone systems. In terms of frequencies, agreements with other nearby cellular networks may be necessary to ensure functionality. (For instance, enterprises operating in campus environments might need to work with multiple providers to coordinate spectrum allocations, ensuring smooth interoperability and avoiding potential signal interference.)
In terms of speed, 6G is faster than Wi-Fi 7, but Wi-Fi 7’s throughput should be sufficient for most industrial applications. Compared to its predecessors, Wi-Fi 7 also makes use of the 6 GHz band, which helps minimize interferences and improves connection stability.
6G vs Wi-Fi 7: comparing key features at a glance
As wireless demands and deployment scenarios evolve, it’s important to weigh how each technology measures up across critical performance and operational metrics.
Here’s a side-by-side look at some of the biggest differences between 6G and Wi-Fi 7, so you can quickly assess which technology aligns with your organizational needs and deployment goals.
| 6G | Wi-Fi 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | High | Low |
| Complexity | High | Low |
| Configuration | Complex | Easy |
| Commissioning | Slow | Fast |
| Number of participants | Up to 10 million devices per sq km | Between 200 and 300 active devices per access point |
| Frequencies | Own spectrum | Shared frequencies |
| Connection | Robust and stable | Stability decreases with high number of users |
| Cybersecurity | Secure | Not suitable for certain security applications; endpoints don’t need to be registered, open network |
| Reach | High | Low |
| Communication | High; near-real-time communication up to 20s faster than Wi-Fi 7 | Up to 46 Gb/s in ideal conditions |
| Latency | 0.1 ms; 0.01-0.05 ms for certain scenarios | <1 ms in ideal conditions |
| Network slicing | Yes | No |
| Legal security | Secure; standard is highly regulated | Depends on implementation (WPA3- Enterprise, GDPR compliance, guidelines for access management ensure device conformity with frequency specifications) |
| Licenses | Required | Not required |
| Energy consumption | Significant increase in data rates, connection volumes and network density could lead to high energy consumption | Energy efficient |
Which wireless solution fits your needs?
To return to the question about which wireless solution is best for your business, the answer depends on your application and priorities. For large areas like smart cities or time-critical applications, 6G is the technology of choice. For most industrial scenarios, Wi-Fi 7 can often be sufficient and comes with lower costs and complexity, as long as the areas to cover are not too big. As both standards continue to evolve, analyzing your operational priorities and growth plans will help you maximize the benefits of next-generation wireless connectivity.
If you need help weighing your options, Belden is here to help you make the right choice … and then deploy reliable, cost-effective and future-ready wireless networks, no matter which technology you choose.