WiFi standards determine how fast your devices can communicate wirelessly with your router. Here is what you need to know.
WiFi Standards at a Glance
| Standard | Also Called | Max Speed | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 5 | 802.11ac | ~3.5 Gbps | 2014 |
| Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11ax | ~9.6 Gbps | 2019 |
| Wi-Fi 6E | 802.11ax (6 GHz) | ~9.6 Gbps | 2021 |
| Wi-Fi 7 | 802.11be | ~46 Gbps | 2024 |
Backward Compatibility
All XNET WIFI devices are backward compatible. If your laptop or phone supports Wi-Fi 5, it will still connect — it just will not reach the maximum speeds the router is capable of.
Your speeds are always limited by whichever device has the older standard. For example, a Wi-Fi 5 laptop connected to a Wi-Fi 7 router will operate at Wi-Fi 5 speeds.
Which Standard Do I Need?
- Streaming (Netflix, YouTube): Wi-Fi 5 is sufficient — 4K streaming only requires 20-30 Mbps.
- General browsing and email: Any standard works fine.
- Gaming and video calls: Wi-Fi 6 or newer recommended for lower latency.
- Multiple devices / smart home: Wi-Fi 6 or newer handles many simultaneous connections better.
- Future-proofing: Wi-Fi 7 devices are becoming available and offer the best performance.
How This Affects Your XNET Service
Your XNET WIFI plan speed (up to 200 Mbps on 4G, up to 1200 Mbps on 5G) is the maximum from the cellular network. Your WiFi standard determines whether your device can actually receive those speeds wirelessly. For the fastest experience, connect via Ethernet cable when possible.