If you’ve ever sat two feet from your router while your video call freezes, you already know this: the problem isn’t always your Internet plan, sometimes it’s your Wi-Fi.
And with more devices in every home from tablets, smart TVs, work laptops, game consoles, security cameras, even the fridge, older Wi-Fi standards simply aren’t built for 2025 households.
Enter Wi-Fi 6, the new wireless standard that gives Canadian homes faster speeds, better range, and much smoother performance during busy, “everyone’s online” moments.
This guide breaks down Wi-Fi 6 in simple terms:
• What it is
• Why it matters
• How it compares to older standards
• Whether your devices can use it
• How to get the most out of it with your home Internet
It’s the Wi-Fi explanation you wish someone gave you years ago minus the jargon.
What Is Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 6 (also called 802.11ax) is the latest mainstream Wi-Fi standard used in Canadian homes. It’s designed to deliver:
- Faster speeds
- Better performance when many devices connect at once
- Longer range
- More stable streaming, gaming, and video calls
- Less interference from nearby networks
Think of Wi-Fi 6 as a more organized highway:
same home, same devices but with more lanes, better traffic flow, and fewer slowdowns.
And yes: NetJOI modems support Wi-Fi 6 right out of the box. No setup, no hidden toggles, no “expert mode” needed.
Why Wi-Fi 6 Matters in 2025
Wi-Fi 5 wasn’t a bad standard, but it wasn’t built for today.
Homes in 2025 now have:
• 15-40 connected devices
• Multiple 4K streams
• Work-from-home video calls
• Smart cameras and doorbells
• App-based TV services like NetJOI TV
• Cloud gaming, AR/VR, and high-bandwidth apps
Wi-Fi 6 was designed for exactly this “crowded home” scenario.
Benefits you’ll actually feel:
- Faster average speeds (not just theoretical numbers)
- Stronger signal upstairs or across long condos
- Smoother streaming in busy households
- Fewer disconnects during video meetings
- Better battery life for phones and IoT devices
- More stability for gaming
- Improved performance for mesh systems
If your home Internet feels fast on paper but slow in reality, Wi-Fi 6 is often the missing piece.
Wi-Fi Standards: A Simple Comparison
Here’s the cleanest snapshot of how Wi-Fi evolved over the years:
Wi-Fi Standards Table
| Standard | Year | Max Speed | Bands | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | 2009 | ~600 Mbps | 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz | Big upgrade at the time |
| Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | 2014 | ~3.5 Gbps | 5 GHz | The “old normal” in Canada |
| Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 2019 | ~9.6 Gbps | 2.4 & 5 GHz | Today’s best standard |
| Wi-Fi 6E | 2021 | ~9.6 Gbps | Adds 6 GHz | Less crowded, faster |
| Wi-Fi 7 | Coming soon | 30+ Gbps | Multi-band | Future-proofing phase |
A Brief History of Wi-Fi (Quick Table)
| Era | Standard | Max Speed | Why It Mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Wi-Fi 1 & 2 (802.11a/b) | 11–54 Mbps | First usable home Wi-Fi |
| 2003 | Wi-Fi 3 (802.11g) | 54 Mbps | Became mainstream |
| 2009 | Wi-Fi 4 (n) | 600 Mbps | Dual-band begins |
| 2014 | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | 3.5 Gbps | HD streaming boom |
| 2019 | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | 9.6 Gbps | Smart home era |
Wi-Fi 6 vs Bluetooth vs AirDrop
(Why Your Devices Use Different Wireless Tech)
People often mix these up, so here’s the simplest breakdown:
| Technology | Purpose | Range | Speed | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Internet at home | Long | Fast | Streaming, gaming, TV |
| Bluetooth | Connecting accessories | Short | Slow | Headphones, speakers |
| AirDrop | Device-to-device transfer | Short | Fast | Photos, files (Apple) |
If something needs Internet, it uses Wi-Fi.
If it needs pairing, it uses Bluetooth.
If it needs quick sharing, it uses AirDrop.
What Speeds Pair Best With Wi-Fi 6?
Wi-Fi 6 supports very high speeds, but your Internet plan still sets the ceiling.
- 50 Mbps – small apartments, 1-2 users
- 75-100 Mbps – families, HD streaming, light work from home
- 150 Mbps – multi-device homes, 4K streaming, gaming
- 250 Mbps+ – heavy use, large homes, mesh setups
- 500–940 Mbps – power users, smart homes, multiple 4K TVs
With NetJOI, Wi-Fi 6 works perfectly with all our plans, from JOI 75 to Gigabit (940 Mbps). And because our pricing is locked in, you’ll never be hit with “promo ending” surprises.
Explore our Internet plans → Available in Ontario, BC, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
How Wi-Fi 6 Helps With Real-World Home Internet Problems
Smoother streaming
Netflix, Disney+, Prime – fewer drops and fewer blurry moments.
Better gaming
Lower latency + stable signal = fewer rage-quits.
Reliable remote work
Your video calls stop freezing when everyone else in the house jumps online.
Stronger Wi-Fi in tough layouts
Townhouses, long condos, basements – Wi-Fi 6 handles them better.
A big upgrade for NetJOI TV
Licensed IPTV performs best when wireless congestion is low.
Wi-Fi 6 keeps CP24, CTV, TSN, and other channels running smoothly.
Try IPTV for just $10 for the 1st month →
Better smart home performance
Security cameras, doorbells, thermostats all get more stable connections.
Improved VoIP call quality
Wi-Fi 6 prioritizes multiple streams at once, reducing jitter and lag.
Perfect for NetJOI Digital Phone.
Does My Device Support Wi-Fi 6?
Most devices made 2020 or newer support it:
- iPhone 11 and later
- Samsung Galaxy S10 and later
- Modern laptops (Dell, HP, Apple Silicon Macs)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
- Most new smart TVs
- Many mesh systems
If your home uses older devices, Wi-Fi 6 still improves coverage, you just won’t see the full performance gains until you upgrade your gear.
City-Level Coverage (Non-Clutter Version)
NetJOI delivers fast, Wi-Fi-6-ready Internet across Canada, including:
If you’re in one of these communities (or nearby), you can check availability anytime →
Related Guides
- 4G vs 5G in Canada →
- Best Internet Providers in Alberta
- Unlimited Internet in BC
- Compare home Internet speeds →
- NetJOI TV (licensed IPTV) →
Final Thoughts
Wi-Fi 6 isn’t hype, it’s the upgrade most Canadian homes have quietly needed for years. More devices. More streaming. More remote work. More everything.
Wi-Fi 6 finally gives your home the room to breathe, no matter how many screens come online.
With NetJOI, you don’t need to think about compatibility or settings as your modem already supports Wi-Fi 6 by default. Just plug it in and enjoy smoother streaming, clearer calls, and faster everything.
Want Internet that actually stays fast? Explore NetJOI plans with locked-in pricing →
