Wireless connections keep getting faster.  In 2018, the options for internet users to connect to the internet faster keeps expanding. In the near future, users can be expected to connect to the internet using LED lights, or gain wireless access to the internet by connecting to a micro-satellite orbiting the Earth.  (Versatek website blog, December 4th, 2017, The New Wi-Fi Standard That Will Make the 802.11ac Obsolete, https://www.versatek.com/blog/the-new-wi-fi-standard-that-will-make-the-802-11ac-obsolete).  In this blog I’m going to write about the options consumers and businesses have this year, namely the Orbi router from Netgear and 802.11ax Routers from Intel, and what options are coming in the VERY NEAR future, such as Li-Fi that uses infrared light, which is 100 times faster than the connections we use today (Finona MacDonald, Business Insider, a new type of light-based WiFi is 100 times faster than the best WiFi we have now, March 21st, 2017, https://www.businessinsider.com/new-infrared-lifi-is-100-times-faster-than-the-best-wifi-we-have-now-2017-3).  To determine how these options fit your personal or business needs, RB’s Computer Service is available to help discuss them, and we offer routers for sale.   

Superfast Wifi Options Available This Year: Orbi from Netgear & 802.11ax Routers from Intel

First, let’s talk about Orbi WiFi.  Orbi works by connecting the main Orbi unit to your modem.  Then the main Orbi unit connects to multiple satellite units that’s also connected to your modem.  “It works just like a regular WiFi router and range extenders, which have been around for years (Antonio Villas-Boas, Business Insider, This new WiFi router gives the Eero a run for its money, October 15th, 2016, https://www.businessinsider.com/netgear-orbi-mesh-wifi-router-vs-eero-review-2016-10/#netgears-orbi-wifi-mesh-router-works-in-much-the-same-way-as-the-eero-1).”   But unlike a regular WiFi range extender, the Orbi satellites don't cut your speeds in half.  Additionally, the transition between Orbi units as you walk around your home is much smoother than it is with a regular WiFi extender. As a result, your Skype call won't be interrupted as much (if at all) if you move around your home while your device connects to different Orbis.  Although setting up Orbi is very intuitive for some people, RB’s Computer Service is available to assist customers with this, provide other pricing options and to help assess your needs.  These retail online for about $300.  Orbi is not as fast as 802.11ax routers coming this year, but in absence of a strong signal (plus time and budget) in your home or business, this could be all you need.

802.11ax Routers from Intel Coming in 2018

802.11 ax is anywhere from 4x to 10x faster than existing Wi-Fi, but the wider and multiple channels greatly increase throughput. (Zeus Kerravala, Network World, August 14th, 2017, Why 802.11ax is the next big thing in Wi-Fi, https://www.networkworld.com/article/3215907/mobile-wireless/why-80211ax-is-the-next-big-thing-in-wi-fi.html).  In other words, it is noticeably faster.  According to Zeus Kerravala, “from a user perspective, the network will seem much less congested” because multiple users could download things simultaneously without noticing a delay (large files, movies, etc.) (Zeus Kerravala, Network World, August 14th, 2017, Why 802.11ax is the next big thing in Wi-Fi, https://www.networkworld.com/article/3215907/mobile-wireless/why-80211ax-is-the-next-big-thing-in-wi-fi.html).  Mr. Kerravala continues, one added advantage of 802.11 ax is “any new Wi-Fi standard will improve battery life, since the range is typically further and data is transmitted faster so the client does not need to work as hard.”  Contact RB’s Computer Service this summer for pricing options and to assess your needs.

Li-Fi 100 Times Faster

Li-Fi (or light-based WiFi), transmits data via LED bulbs, which means there are some limitations to how easily the technology could be applied to systems outside the lab. But researchers have come up with a new type of Li-Fi that uses infrared light instead, and it's reportedly already cracked 40 gigabits per second (gbps) in early testing (Finona MacDonald, Business Insider, A new type of light-based WiFi is 100 times faster than the best WiFi we have now, March 21st, 2017, https://www.businessinsider.com/new-infrared-lifi-is-100-times-faster-than-the-best-wifi-we-have-now-2017-3 ).  Li-Fi promises to be up to 100 times faster than the connections we use today.  According Ton Koonen, head of the group testing Li-Fi with infrared light, it will be at least five years before the new technology could be commercialized, with the "first devices to be connected to this new kind of wireless network will be high data consumers like video monitors, laptops or tablets" (Finona MacDonald, Business Insider, A new type of light-based WiFi is 100 times faster than the best WiFi we have now, March 21st, 2017, https://www.businessinsider.com/new-infrared-lifi-is-100-times-faster-than-the-best-wifi-we-have-now-2017-3).

To assess your router needs today, contact me via phone or email: 763-441-3884, randy@rbsmn.com.  Stay tuned throughout the year for the release of 802.11ax Routers from Intel.  In addition to high speed routers, RB’s Computer Service sells the best commercial grade firewall routers, best laptop computers, best desktop computers, business computers, computer parts, computer monitors, plus we provide ransomware strategies.  For managed IT services, computer repair, iPhone, smartphone, and tablet repairs, contact us today!  We serve customers and clients throughout central Minnesota and St. Cloud