For those of you who live in a technology-rich home, your home network is the backbone of it all. It connects your devices and enables them to communicate with each other.

From motorized shades to streaming services, home theater systems to smart security cameras, your Denver-area home relies extensively on robust and secure internet connectivity.

As more smart devices enter your home, more bandwidth is eaten up, which results in congestion and slowdowns similar to traffic on the I-25 during rush hour. Eventually, it comes to a standstill, resulting in failing devices, the spinning wheel of doom while streaming, and dropped connections.

Fortunately, there are solutions. While structured wiring with high-bandwidth cabling alleviates the pressure on overwhelmed networks, it's the easiest to integrate during construction when the walls are open. Another solution for existing homes is upgrading your Wi-Fi system to one of the newer standards, some of which were designed with smart homes in mind.

Below, we explore a few upgrade options, including the benefits and challenges the various standards offer. Keep reading to learn more.

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Wi-Fi 6 for Smart Homes

Wi-Fi standards define how wireless networks operate. Wi-Fi 5 was the standard for over a decade until Wi-Fi 6 became available in 2019. The standard determines how data is transmitted and ensures compatibility between devices. 

Wi-Fi 6 was designed with smart homes in mind. It supports speeds that are about 30% faster than Wi-Fi 5. Even more important than speed is its ability to manage network congestion, directing and prioritizing traffic. It also increased security with WPA 3, a superior security encryption standard.

Wi-Fi 6e Adds a Spectrum

The introduction of Wi-Fi 6e, an extension of the Wi-Fi 6 standard, brought about a tremendous transformation in smart homes by adding the 6 GHz band. Utilizing this spectrum provides faster speeds, reduced latency, and enhanced capacity for wireless communication.

By minimizing interference and congestion, the entire family can stay online, playing online games, streaming HD videos, and engaging in a work-from-home video conferencing call, all at the same time without worrying about dropped connections. Lower latency ensures responsiveness from your smart home devices. It's also ideal for extending coverage as it provides stronger signals that eliminate dead zones. 

Wi-Fi 7: The Newest Generation

The next generation is already here with Wi-Fi 7. It made its appearance in 2024 and is targeted to further reduce latency, increase speeds, and double the bandwidth. With Multi-Link Operation, you can send and receive data across multiple channels, creating an experience similar to a wired internet connection. 

As the technology is still relatively new, and compatible devices are limited, it may be best to hold off on this new standard if you're experiencing significant slowdowns and congestion. 

Ready for a Home Network Upgrade?

We know all this information can be as confusing as it is enlightening. That's where Electronic Integration comes in. As smart home and home network experts, we analyze your needs to create a system that enables fast, reliable coverage throughout your indoor and outdoor spaces. 

To learn more about upgrading your network potential or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Electronic Integration today.