The Wi-Fi Alliance has announced that the Certification of Wi-Fi 7, the upcoming generation of wireless networking technology designed for home, enterprise, and industrial environments, is anticipated to be completed by the conclusion of the first quarter of 2024. This certification will be based on the IEEE 802.11be standard, which is expected to enhance the performance and capabilities of Wi-Fi networks significantly.Â
According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, the introduction of Wi-Fi 7 devices into the market is already underway, with the Certification of Wi-Fi 7 set to enable seamless interoperability on a global scale. This certification is poised to usher in a new era of connected devices by delivering advanced Wi-Fi performance to users. The Wi-Fi 7 technology is anticipated to cater to applications that demand high throughput, low latency, and enhanced reliability, particularly those that leverage cutting-edge technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality, immersive 3D training, and ultra-high definition video streaming.
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Enhanced Connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 is expected to revolutionize the wireless networking landscape by offering significantly higher speeds compared to it’s predecessors, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E. Analysts predict that Wi-Fi 7 will support speeds of up to 46 Gbps, a substantial improvement over the maximum speed of 10 Gbps provided by Wi-Fi 6E. This leap in speed is expected to benefit users by enhancing their overall connectivity experience and enabling them to leverage bandwidth-intensive applications more efficiently. Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 is projected to reduce power consumption in client devices such as laptops and smartphones, although the real-world impact of this improvement remains to be seen.
The highly anticipated features of Wi-Fi 7 is expected to address the current challenges of spectrum congestion faced by both consumers and enterprises. By leveraging MLO, Wi-Fi 7 will significantly enhance spectrum efficiency by allowing the aggregation of multiple radio links to create wider channels. This means that users will no longer be limited to connecting to a single band, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz. Instead, they will have the flexibility to utilize multiple bands simultaneously, resulting in improved performance and a more seamless user experience.
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Improved WiFi Networks Performance
The current Wi-Fi connectivity model requires users to choose a specific band to connect to when accessing a Wi-Fi hotspot. Once connected, they are restricted to using that particular band for the duration of their connection. However, with the introduction of Wi-Fi 7 and it’s dynamic band switching advantage, this limitation will be eliminated. Users will have the freedom to switch between different bands seamlessly, based on their specific needs and the availability of spectrum. This enhanced flexibility will not only reduce spectrum congestion challenges but also optimize the overall efficiency of Wi-Fi networks.
