RBKE963 6E range is terrible

---

ArunGupta wrote:

Got the RBKE963 yesterday. I enabled the 6GHz only wireless network and assigned it a separate SSID. My Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra connected to this network. But I noticed that it kept dropping the connection frequently. It would switch to 5G with a message that the connection quality was poor and connection will be attempted when the quality improves. This was surprising as I was sitting only like 10 feet away from the satellite with one drywall in between. This is an internal drywall with no insulation in it. On testing, I found that unless I am really close to the router or satellite, the 6E network signal strength drops off quickly, even with one drywall in between. The Alienware PC with Killer WiFi with AX support, does not even see the 6E network, let alone connect to it.

---

There appear to be two separate issues in this post.

It is not surprising that the Alienware PC with KillerAX support does not see the 6E network, because the AX in that product refers to 802.11ax in the 2.4G and 5G WiFi bands.   If I am mistaken, please provide a link to the Alienware specs showing WiFi6E support.

This 960 product line seems to offer "something for everybody".  The primary WiFi network (SSID) appears on all three bands (2.4G, 5G, and 6G)  Devices will exchange capabilities with the WiFi system and settle on what seems to provide the "best fit."  The product also provides the ability to enable a separate WiFi SSID that will accept only 6E connections. See page 62 of the user manual: https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RBKE963/RBRE960_RBSE960_UM_EN.pdf   It is not entirely clear (to me) why Netgear offers this feature.... but they do.

It is a well known issue that 6GHz WiFi signals do not carry as far as 5G signals, which do not carry as far as 2.4G signals.  This is especially the case when any sort of object lies between the WiFi access point and the device.  18 months ago Tom's Hardware described this phenomenon:

https://www.tomshardware.com/features/wi-fi-6-and-6e-explained 

Searches on the topic of WiFi coverage by frequency turn up all sorts of opinions. This blog, for example, agrees that a 6G signal will not remain usable as far as a 5G signal, but seems to conclude "Meh" in terms of practical impact.

10ft. certainly sounds disappointing.