6 GHz Wi-Fi in APAC: The Next Big Step and What It Means for You

Wi-Fi is getting hammered

Between laptops, mobiles, scanners, and IoT gear, the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands are full. That’s why 6 GHz matters. It gives us clean spectrum, more channels, and better performance.

But here’s the thing, you don’t just throw in a few new access points and call it a day. 6 GHz changes how you design, power, and run your network. And across APAC, the rules aren’t the same everywhere.

Why 6 GHz is a step up

• More room to move. Big block of new spectrum, no legacy devices or spectrum clutter.

• Better performance. Faster speeds, lower latency, more stable under load.

• Security built in. WPA3 is the default, so the baseline is higher.

• Future proof. Wi-Fi 6E works now, Wi-Fi 7 brings wider channels and multi-link down the track.

Where does APAC stand?

Here’s the quick view of who has opened up 6 GHz in the region:

• Australia & New Zealand – Lower 6 GHz (5925–6425 MHz) available. Upper band still under review.

• Singapore & Malaysia – Lower 6 GHz approved.

• Japan – 5925–6425 MHz live.

• South Korea – Ahead of the pack, full 6 GHz spectrum enabled.

• Hong Kong – Lower band only.

• Philippines & Thailand – Lower 6 GHz enabled with device support.

• India – Draft rules are in play for indoor Wi-Fi in the lower band, not yet final.

The key point: Availability is patchy. If you run sites across multiple countries, you’ll need to design with that in mind.

What to check before you upgrade

• Power and cabling: Tri-band APs usually want PoE++ (802.3bt). If your switches don’t deliver, some radios shut down. Many teams now run dual cables to APs – one for data, one for console access, to make life easier later.

• Switching and uplinks: A single 6 GHz client can chew up over a gig. If you’re still running 1 GbE uplinks in high-density areas, you’ll see bottlenecks. Multi-gig uplinks (2.5/5/10 GbE) are quickly moving from “nice to have” to “must have.”

• Design changes: 6 GHz has different propagation. You’ll often need more APs than in a 5 GHz design. Start with predictive modelling, then validate with AP-on-a-stick in representative areas before finalising your BOM.

• Channel planning: Keep legacy devices and voice on 5 GHz, push heavy apps to 6 GHz, and size channels to match density. In countries with only 5925–6425 MHz available, you won’t have as many 160 MHz channels, so be pragmatic.

• Security and onboarding: WPA3 is the default, which is good news, but you’ll want to review onboarding processes for shared devices, guest access, and BYOD to make sure they land where they should.

• QoS that works: Extra spectrum doesn’t mean infinite bandwidth. Mark and enforce priorities so video calls and clinical comms aren’t fighting streaming traffic.

The Wrap up

6 GHz is here in much of APAC, but it’s not universal. The opportunity is huge, more speed, less congestion, stronger security – but only if you plan the rollout properly.

That means looking beyond the APs: check your power budgets, cabling, uplinks, and core network. Design with 6 GHz in mind, validate it properly, and factor in regional differences if you’re running sites across multiple countries.

Done right, 6 GHz Wi-Fi doesn’t just improve performance, it sets you up for the next generation of applications and devices.