Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ ac delivers up to multi-gigabit per second data rates, enabling devices to handle demanding applications such as Ultra HD and 4K video, multimedia streaming and rapid file transfer on tablets, gaming devices, handsets and many other devices. Based on IEEE 802.11ac, also referred to as Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac devices offer higher capacity, improved power management, and lower latency to readily handle today’s demanding applications.

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac provide higher-performance mobility experiences through multi-user multiple input multiple output (multi-user MIMO), wider channels, and support for four spatial streams.

Dual-band doubles network capacity

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac builds on the foundation of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED n and operates in 5 GHz, where devices can make use of increased bandwidth to achieve a higher data rate. Most Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac products are dual-band, operating in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac devices use the 5 GHz band, while Wi-Fi CERTIFIED n products use the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Dual-band networks double capacity, because devices can use the less crowded 5 GHz band for high performance applications, and the 2.4 GHz band for basic needs such as web surfing and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

Enhanced power efficiency

With the Internet of Things era in full swing and the era of hyper-connectivity imminent, smaller devices are connecting to each other and to the internet. These devices require long battery life. Wi-Fi Alliance has introduced power saving features that enable devices to benefit from native connectivity to Wi-Fi networks and the internet without concern for power consumption. Wi-Fi power saving features bring longer sleep periods and reduce the need for devices to communicate with infrastructure too frequently. These features can add significant power saving in Wi-Fi enabled devices used in numerous market segments including smart home, smart city, industrial, and healthcare.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the benefit of MU-MIMO?

MU-MIMO is an innovative breakthrough that enables simultaneous communication to multiple devices, improving overall speed and enabling network multitasking.

How can I upgrade my device to use wave 2 features?

Upgrading devices to use wave 2 features is implementation dependent. Some devices can be upgraded through software, but most will require new hardware.

What performance advances are enabled by Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac?

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac enables higher data rates, higher capacity and lower latency.  Products implementing the technology behind Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac with wave 2 features are capable of multi-gigabit data rates– nearly triple that of devices implementing only wave 1 features.

What new applications are enabled with Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac?

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac handles today’s demanding applications and paves the way for new applications in the future.  Certified-ac devices are more robust and offer a greater user experience including:

  • Transferring an HD movie to a tablet in under 4 minutes
  • Sharing photo albums with friends in seconds
  • Streaming three HD quality videos at one time

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac devices also improve wireless performance in the enterprise in the following ways:

  • Enhanced user experience for teleconference meetings
  • Delivering greater in-office networking coverage – more clients for the same number of APs per office area
  • Projecting graphics, video and audio to a large screen in a conference room or auditorium

Are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac devices dual-band?

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac operates in the 5 GHz band, but devices support the 2.4 GHz band by integrating Wi-Fi CERTIFIED n.  Dual-band devices switch between the more crowded but popular 2.4 GHz frequency band, to the cleaner 5 GHz frequency band to connect more demanding applications and avoid interference from other devices.

Is Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac interoperable with previous versions of Wi-Fi?

As with all Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac products are tested to ensure interoperability with legacy Wi-Fi CERTIFIED products. Products must operate in the same frequency band in order to connect.

How does Wi-Fi Alliance help ensure product compatibility and a good user experience for certified products?

Compatibility and quality are achieved through testing of Wi-Fi products. Consumers should always look for the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo to ensure the best user experience possible.

What is WMM?

Wi-Fi Multimedia, represented by the acronym WMM, is related to Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WMM® programs. These optional certifications provide multimedia enhancements for Wi-Fi networks that improve the user experience for audio, video, and voice applications.