Revolutionising Wireless Connectivity: South Africa's Leap into the WiFi 6E Era 

South Africa is on the brink of a wireless revolution, thanks to the imminent introduction of WiFi 6E. This new development is set to catapult internet speeds to unprecedented levels.

6E Spectrum Availability

The Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has released a substantial block of additional 6E spectrum, now open for South African users to utilise.

New Regulation

ICASA's Amended Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations 2023 have confirmed the availability of lower-band 6E, within the 5.925GHz – 6.425GHz band range, for wireless communication. The current limitation? Usage is restricted to low-power transmission.

WAPA's Perspective

Paul Colmer, EXCO member at the Wireless Access Provider’s Association (WAPA), views this as the first phase in the long-awaited release of more spectrum for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Boost for WISPs

The current regulations may only allow for indoor use of lower-band 6E, but this still presents a significant opportunity for Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) to enhance the potential of their broadband internet services.

Enhanced User Experience

Using a range of certified 6E devices such as routers, handsets, and even home entertainment systems, users can anticipate a dramatically improved internet experience featuring higher speeds, greater throughput, and less interference.

Wireless Gigabit Speeds

Until recently, a wired Cat6 cable network was necessary for 1 gigabit-plus internet and LAN speeds. With 6E devices, these speeds will soon be accessible wirelessly, and with the 6GHz band still relatively untouched, users can expect less channel interference.

Outdoor 6E Application

The next step involves enabling the use of 6E bandwidth over standard power transmission devices outdoors. This will allow WISPs to enhance the speed and bandwidth of their broadcast services, which will require the establishment of Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) databases to automatically prevent interference.

Global AFC Trials

Commercial AFC trials have already begun in the US, Canada, and Brazil. South Africa, having now released a lower-band 6E spectrum, is expected to follow suit rapidly.

6E Spectrum Advantages

Reduced WiFi congestion, wider channels, wireless speeds over 1Gbps, ultra-low latency, no overlapping channels, enhanced experience for advanced tech like AR and VR, and certified device availability from leading brands are just some of the benefits of 6E spectrum.

About WAPA

WAPA is a non-profit trade association founded in 2006. It serves as a collective voice for the wireless industry, promoting growth through self-regulation, best practices, and new wireless technology and business model education.

In Conclusion

With the introduction of WiFi 6E, South Africa is making a bold leap forward in the realm of wireless communication. As we stand on the precipice of this new era, it’s clear that the future of internet connectivity in the country is brighter than ever.