The New Wireless Standard: Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) Explained
Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) is the latest wireless standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and broader bandwidth. This article covers its key features, the reasons for its development, comparisons with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, and potential applications.
Wi-Fi 7 Standard Overview
Have you ever encountered different wireless standards when buying a wireless access point? Now I'll go into more detail about the new wireless standard, Wi-Fi 7.
What is Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) is the next-generation Wi-Fi wireless standard currently under development. Like Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7 wireless access points and clients will operate on 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz radio frequencies to fully utilize spectrum resources. However, its main draw is Extremely High Throughput (EHT), which is designed to deliver incredible speeds to every device with greater efficiency.
Wi-Fi 7 Technology Key Features
5x Faster Speeds than Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E
WiFi 7 speeds up your internet from 9.6Gbps to 46Gbps, so you can take full advantage of today's ultra-fast Internet plans and achieve gigabit-plus performance on your device.
4× Lower Latency than Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 7 has 4x lower latency than Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E for optimal application performance.
320MHz High-capacity Channel
The new ultra-wide bandwidth means double the speed of your devices. WiFi 7 smartphones up to 5Gbps. 1.2GHz of spectrum in the 6GHz band makes 320MHz ultra-wideband possible and allows more routers to operate in crowded neighborhoods without stepping in front of each other.
4096 QAM Modulation
Simply put, modulation is the process of converting data into WiFi signal waves. Fast conversion from 10-bit data modulation packets to 12-bit data modulation packets yields 20% more data at a time, enabling clear video streaming, Zoom calls, and more.
Multi-link Operation
WiFi 7 technology can access all 3 WiFi bands (6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz). It can easily change the channel between the bands, a feature known as Multi-link Operation, which ensures that data is delivered at the highest possible speeds.
Why Is Wi-Fi 7 Necessary?
With the development of WLAN technology, homes, businesses, and others increasingly rely on Wi-Fi to access the network. New applications with higher throughput and latency requirements have emerged in recent years, such as 4K and 8K video (transmission rates may reach 20Gbps), VR/AR, telecommuting, and cloud computing. Although the newly released Wi-Fi 6 focuses on the user experience in high-density scenarios, the throughput and latency of the higher requirements mentioned above still cannot fully meet the demand.
For this reason, a new revised standard, Wi-Fi 7, will be released.
Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 7, What is the Difference?
Key Differences Between Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 are different generations of wireless networking technologies, each with different features and improvements. The following table shows their specific differences:
How to Choose Between These Three Wi-Fi Technology?
Wi-Fi 6: Ideal for most situations
In 2019, Wi-Fi 6 brings faster connection speeds and optimized network performance. It can support the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands and deliver higher network capacity with more devices connected simultaneously. If your organization has a short budget cycle and wants to use the latest technology, Wi-Fi 6 is a good choice.
Wi-Fi 6E: Easing Spectrum Congestion
Wi-Fi 6E introduced the 6GHz band in 2021, adding more available spectrum, especially for densely populated areas such as schools, airports, and stadiums. Wi-Fi 6E effectively solves the spectrum congestion problem by delivering faster data transfer speeds, higher network efficiency, and lower latency. It is ideal for high-bandwidth applications, and QSFPTEK Wi-Fi 6 AP fits your needs.
Wi-Fi 7: The Future of Connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 represents the future of Wi-Fi, and while its final specifications and capabilities are not yet fully finalized, it promises to deliver ultra-high speeds, massive network capacity and lower latency. However, many current devices may not be compatible with Wi-Fi 7 in the short term, and if your network needs are high and your budget allows, waiting for Wi-Fi 7 to mature and become more widely available may be a strategic choice.
FAQs about IEEE 802.11be
Q: Is Wi-Fi 7 backwards compatible?
A: Yes, Wi-Fi 7 is backwards compatible. This means that a Wi-Fi 7 router will work with devices using Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 5, or earlier versions, although these devices will not enjoy the full speeds and features of Wi-Fi 7.
Q: Do I need to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 now?
A: Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 depends on your network needs and budget. If you need the highest-performance internet connection and use applications requiring ultra-high bandwidth and low latency (such as VR, AR or high-resolution streaming), upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 is worth considering. However, Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E may be sufficient for most home users.
Q: When is the WIFI 7 release date?
A: The official release date for Wi-Fi 7 has not yet been determined, but the standard release is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
Q: When will Wi-Fi 7 become commonplace?
A: Devices with Wi-Fi 7 are expected to become gradually more popular over the next few years. While some high-end devices may be the first to support Wi-Fi 7, it may take a while to become fully available. If you are not in a hurry to upgrade now, waiting for more devices to be compatible with Wi-Fi 7 may be a more economical option.
Conclusion
Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) offers faster speeds, lower latency and greater bandwidth for high-demand applications such as 8K video streaming and AR/VR. As the latest development in Wi-Fi technology, it builds on Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, making it a key upgrade for users seeking top performance. While its popularity may take time, Wi-Fi 7 technology is bound to redefine the digital experience.
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