On January 5th, 2012, Broadcom had unveiled a new evolution in Wi-Fi technology to the world at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). With the first family of IEEE 802.11ac chips based on the 5th generation of Wi-Fi (or 5G Wi-Fi), consumers could load web content on a mobile device faster or synch large video or music files quickly, all while extending battery life.
5G Wi-Fi is the next generation Wi-Fi standard required for today’s mobile and video era. Based on 802.11ac, 5G WiFi is a major evolutionary step from the existing 802.11a/b/g/n networks. Broadcom’s 5G WiFi dramatically improves the wireless range in the home, allowing consumers to watch HD-quality video from more devices, in more places, simultaneously. The increased speed enables consumers to download web content from a mobile device faster and quickly synch large files, such as videos, in a fraction of the time it would take on a similar 802.11n device. Since 5G WiFi transfers the same volume of data at a much faster rate, devices enter low-power mode faster, which results in significant power consumption advantages.
VoIP technology is becoming more and more common, not only on desktop computers, but on mobile phones as well, so Tru App users will also greatly benefit from this new technology.
Internet traffic is shifting rapidly from wired to wireless networks. The increased reliance on wireless networks, the explosion of video consumption and the growing number of wireless devices being used for services like VoIP are all putting tremendous stress on legacy 802.11a/b/g/n networks. As a result, consumers are prone to experience deteriorated performance, choppy videos and slower load times. In fact, 5G Wi-Fi will get you 300+ Mbps speeds.
With 5G Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, you’ll be able to use 4G LTE to connect your laptop directly to the internet through your phone when you’re at a hotel, a coffee shop, or a friend’s house.
By creating more reliable whole-home coverage, Broadcom’s 5G WiFi technology overcomes the digital content and wireless device challenge.
802.11ac has generated broad support across the consumer-electronics industry. Companies and partners across the ecosystem recognize that 802.11ac is the future of Wi-Fi and are committed to its development, integration and distribution.
What this means for Tru customers? Well not only do you get a much better connection to the internet for your VoIP, but imagine a whole ecosystem of devices with which you can use your Tru account. TVs, gaming consoles, Wi-Fi enabled stoves so you can turn the oven off if you’re at work and forgot to that morning. It’s all on the horizon.