Gerry Palmers Tech 08.18.2022 02:Aug AM EDT

FCC Filing Hints at New Google Nest WiFi Router — Does It Support WiFi 6E?

A filing at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revealed a new Google Nest Wi-Fi router that supports Wi-Fi 6E.

The FCC filing showed only test results, however, plus some letters and reports. And, unfortunately no images of the upcoming device were available, except for a label of the product. It however revealed the actual model number of the product: G6ZUC, and the wireless technology standard that will come with the router.

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi6E: What's the Difference?

Rumors of a Google Nest Wi-Fi router supporting Wi-Fi 6 hhave been spreading since June. Wi-Fi 6 is the current wireless standard that operates across two 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency bands. Supporting these two bands allows Wi-Fi 6 to support multiple devices without sacrificing speed. But to support multiple devices simultaneously, sacrificing speed is least likely given that bandwidth will reach full capacity. As a result, lower speeds will occur.

But for the Wi-Fi 6E, the new standard that will come with the upcoming Google Nest W-Fi rputer, will certainly improves the setup by offering a third 6Ghz band, which is its difference from Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6E is much faster and allows wider support for more devices to share the same connection. It, however, doesn't show a major generational upgrade over Wi-Fi 6.

Still, with an additional frequency, high speed connectivity, even with a number of different devices connected to the same router is possible. With its recent routers not supporting Wi-Fi 6, Google fell behind some of its competitors. Amazon, for one, has its Eero 6 router fully supporting Wi-Fi 6. With this new Nest device, Google is tring catch up and try to overtake its rivals.

Upcoming Google Nest Wi-Fi Router to Support Bluetooth LE, Thread Protocol

While the Wi-Fi 6E support is arguably the most important update, its support for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) support is remarkable. This technology optimizes the original Bluetooth standard for lower power operation. Bluetooth LE can likewise send data across 40 channels on its 2.4Ghz frequency band. Compared to Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth LE shares the same bandwidth with fewer channels.

Also seen in the Google Nest FCC filing is its support for the Thread protocol, which is a wireless standard allowing for smart home devices to work together, by creating a mesh network using each smart home device, including routers, as the access point. Devices on a Thread network communicate with each other instead of passing through a central hub, resulting in in extremely high quality connections. It offers lower latency and lesser power consumption.

And, there's no word yet for a release date. But, it's likely that the new Google Nest router would roll out later this year, but Fall is looking busy for the tech giant given the hectic product launch schedule it has.

Fall this year is set to be a heavy launch window for Google. The highly anticipated Android 13 operating system is expected for release in September and rumors revealed a Pixel 7 phone launching that same month. And October could also be the month Google launches the Pixel Fold smartphone and Pixel Watch, other rumors claimed.

No leaks or official word has been out on a Google Nest launch in the Fall or Winter. But with FCC filing, it seems it won't take that long for any rollout plans or official product news to come out.