Halifax is no stranger to technological evolution, long finding its place among Canada’s most technologically developed cities. A big part of this development comes from the emphasis we place on staying up-to-date with online tech. Wireless is a key component here, and it’s an area where we can find ourselves lost and confused. Looking at the average uses for Halifax residents, we want to explore what newer wireless technology provides, and whether it’s worth running out and upgrading for.

The New Technology

The two primary new technologies making changes in the wireless internet space are 5G and Wi-Fi 7.

5G is likely the one you’re most familiar with, as it has been seeing mainstream rollout in the last four years. In simple terms, 5G is the fifth generation of mobile connection technology. It allows more bandwidth than 4G (faster downloads and uploads), lower latency (less delay), and more active connections per tower. Because 5G has a lower range and less building penetration than 4G, it’s commonly used in busy open spaces like town centres.

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Wi-Fi 7 is a new standard in connection technology that’s used from shorter-range connection points like a home internet network. The advantages of Wi-Fi 7 are much like 5G over 4G, in greater bandwidth, lower latency, and more devices able to connect simultaneously. In other words, 5G is the new fastest tech available outside, and Wi-Fi 7 is the new fastest tech more common within a home.

Exploring Usability

The usefulness of upgrades to 5G and Wi-Fi 7 will depend on how you use your mobile, and where you use it. Consider the example of playing online casino games; online casino Canada websites require little bandwidth, they aren’t demanding with latency, and they’re rarely overwhelmed by too many active connections. Whether browsing for free spins and deposit matches, making deposits, or playing games, older 4G and Wi-Fi solutions won’t struggle. Even the demanding end of use like live-streamed games won’t come close to demanding what 5G and Wi-Fi 7 provide.

There are only a few real-life situations where upgrades to the newest tech might prove necessary. The first is if you’re a big fan of festivals and crowded events outdoors. These can overwhelm older connections, so 5G can help. If you operate a business or home that has an enormous demand for active Wi-Fi connections, like a hotel, Wi-Fi 7 can also help maintain connection reliability and quality. Outside of these examples, upgrades might not be worth the change, at least not yet.

Future-Forward

If this technology isn’t broadly useful yet, then the natural question is: why are we making the changes? The easy answer is that this helps us get ahead of the curve, addressing issues like slowdowns and disconnects before they occur. In public areas, reliable internet can improve safety through better connectivity. The same can apply at home, and in either case, less frustration is always appreciated.

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5G and Wi-Fi 7 illustrate Halifax preparing itself against an increasingly online future. You might not notice the changes that the tech brings, but that could be a mark in this technology’s favour. Besides, this tech will eventually become cheap and standard anyway, so most of us will be able to wait and upgrade without issue.