The latest generation of WiFi, WiFi 6 will be featured in upcoming CenturyLink broadband gateways, the carrier announced today. CenturyLink WiFi 6 gateways will feature Intel chips and support gigabit broadband.
Broadband carriers, large and small, are embracing WiFi 6 to support the faster access speeds being delivered via FTTH and DOCSIS powered broadband networks. Nothing impacts a carrier’s tech support call center more than poor in-home WiFi performance, especially for customers who have subscribed to tiers of 100 Mbps or more.
According to market research firm Dell’Oro Group, WiFi 6 shipments will grow from just over 5 million units in 2019 to more than 23 million units in 2020.
CenturyLink’s WiFi 6 gateway will feature Intel’s Wi-Fi 6 Gig+ technology and will include embedded cybersecurity for all connected devices, support for managed network services, and parental controls. CenturyLink did not disclose any pricing information for their WiFi 6 plans.
“We’ve worked closely with Intel as we developed this dynamic Wi-Fi 6 gateway, designed to meet the growing demands for premium home connectivity and provide faster connections with embedded security features that enhance performance and protect customer data,” said Andrew Dugan, CenturyLink chief technology officer, in a prepared statement.
The CenturyLink WiFi 6 move joins other carriers who are now exploring WiFi 6 plans. Verizon offers a WiFi 6 capable router to its Fios customers for $15 month. Comcast’s WiFi 6 plans came into clearer focus this week as well. Light Reading reports Comcast’s XB7 gateway will support WiFi 6 and should come into service in 2020.
For smaller carriers interested in WiFi 6, vendor platforms from Calix support WiFi 6 and ADTRAN plans to do so in 2020.
