WLAN 6 (Wi-Fi) vs. 5G campus network

Do I modernize my existing, often outdated WLAN/Wi-Fi or should I rely on other technologies, such as the relatively new 5G campus network?

This question often arises in medium-sized and larger companies. Older WLAN structures in particular are often no longer up to date. In view of the often considerable investments in the infrastructure of the future, many a company asks itself which technology should be used? We want to try to shed some light on the dark and shed some light on the pros and cons.

In 1970, the University of Hawaii developed the first wireless network to transmit data wirelessly between the Hawaiian Islands. However, it was not until 1991 that the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) began discussing the standardization of WLAN technologies. In 1997, the IEEE ratified the original 802.11 standard.

In 1999, wireless communication was introduced to the general public with the ratification of 802.11 a and b. These standards had very low speeds (up to 54 Mbps and 11 Mbps respectively), but there were no portable cell phones using Wi-Fi and very few laptops, so this was not a problem at the time.

However, in 2003, a number of mobile devices using Wi-Fi came onto the market and portable laptops became increasingly standard for both business and personal use. At this point, 802.11g was ratified, delivering up to 54 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz range. In 2007, the smartphone was born and with it the ratification of 802.11n. In other words, Wi-Fi (or WLAN) became more and more important.

The “n” standard enabled faster processing speeds of up to 450 Mbps for Wi-Fi and supported both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz devices. Today, smart devices are robust enough to replace specialized, more expensive laptop technologies, so wireless technology had to catch up.

At this point, we enter the current realm of 802.11ac. 802.11ac is the latest wireless technology that takes us into the age of gigabit Wi-Fi. This is often referred to and marketed as WLAN 6.

The biggest argument for the continued use of WLAN technologies (such as WLAN 6) is the lower cost due to the use of unlicensed spectrum. Backward compatibility is also an advantage because old devices do not have to be replaced immediately. Newer devices can also benefit from lower latency times and increasing download speeds.

However, this technology has some weaknesses, even though it has been modernized time and again.

WLAN uses frequencies that can interfere with other devices that use the same frequencies. In particular, electronic devices that use frequencies often cause interference. But not only other electronic devices, but also physical structures such as walls and ceilings can interfere with a WLAN connection.

The connection quality and speed, especially with older infrastructures, often leave a lot to be desired. In addition, WLAN can only cover a limited area. In other words, the further away the user is from a WLAN area, the worse the signal becomes. This is particularly a problem in large buildings with a large number of users. In such cases, there may be frequent signal failures or no signal at all. Any type of wireless network is vulnerable to attack. This also applies to WLAN. Unauthorized users can easily hack the data that is transmitted in a WLAN. Therefore, users of WLANs must ensure maximum security through password protection and other measures.

For these and other reasons, some companies have started looking for a future-proof alternative.

Many companies are increasingly upgrading their in-house networks to 5G technology – primarily because they want to benefit from the scalability and low latency guaranteed by 5G. Because private 5G campus networks use a company’s own frequency spectrum, the chances of interference problems are also significantly reduced and the reliability of network transmission is increased compared to other solutions. The idea of download speeds between 1 Gbit/s and 10 Gbit/s and upload speeds or latency times of just 1 millisecond (ms) has many excited about the possibilities of 5G. These speeds are (theoretically) comparable to those of a physical Ethernet connection.

5G enables the networking of one million devices per square kilometer and therefore offers a significantly higher connection density than LAN or WLAN. This means that industrial data can be collected and used on a much larger scale, for example to optimize manufacturing processes or to gain transparency about all assets relevant to the manufacturing process.

Due to the poor scalability of WLAN, it is not possible to transmit the same amount of data and, even if WLAN 6 now increases the overall efficiency of a network, it still reaches its limits with thousands of endpoints.

You should also bear the following in mind: Mobile radio was developed for the purpose of mobile communication, i.e. the transition between mobile radio cells is designed to work without interference. We experience this every day when we are on the move with our cell phone. We switch between different mobile cells without even noticing. With WLAN/WiFi, it is precisely these zone changes that are often a problem, so that normal operation or smooth data transmission is severely disrupted.

With the establishment of public 5G networks, an increasing number of 5G-enabled devices on the market and the continuous reduction of the cost factor for a private 5G network, 5G presents itself as a future-proof solution for a reliable, efficient campus network.

There is also the option of connecting your own closed campus network to the public network. It can therefore also be used as additional access or as a backup to the existing landline connection.

A 5G campus network can be customized to the needs of the individual user or company. There are various operator models:

A 5G campus network can be worthwhile for different types of businesses, especially those that need a reliable mobile network connection. Here are some examples:

So if you are faced with the choice of renewing your outdated Wi-Fi infrastructure or opting for the new 5G technology, you should take a close look at which solution is best for your company. Not only today, but also in the future. Preferably with an expert at your side. Especially since the cost of updating a Wi-Fi network can be considerable, a 5G campus network may be a future-proof and efficient alternative.

Further information on 5G campus networks can be found here:

Guideline 5G Campus Networks of the Federal Government

TÜVIT – Campus networks for the industry