What Is WiFi 7? What to Know About WiFi 7
WiFi, like all technology, has undergone continual updates to achieve quality connections for users. Recently, the WiFi Alliance revealed WiFi 7. But is WiFi 7 worth it? In this article, learn what WiFi 7 is, what routers support it, and how it differs from WiFi 6.
What is WiFi 7?
WiFi 7, also written as Wi-Fi 7, refers to the seventh major generation of WiFi technology. It succeeds the current WiFi 6e standard. Technically, WiFi is known as the 802.11be standard. For this reason, you'll often see "BE" in the name of WiFi 7 routers or other broadcasters that support it.
WiFi 7 is set to revolutionize how Internet users connect to the Internet. The goal is to help deal with network congestion int he most crowded places. This WiFi standard can do this via its high throughput capabilities.
As with any upgrade, WiFi 7 brings a couple of substantial improvements in terms of speed, latency, and capacity. It will significantly benefit modern homes with multiple smart devices and Internet of Things devices. You can expect improved user experiences even in areas where networks overlap.
What devices support WiFi 7?
Much like previous WiFi versions, WiFi 7 is backward compatible. This means older devices will connect to a WiFi 7 network, and a WiFi 7 device can connect to a WiFi 6 or WiFi 6e router. Remember that WiFi 7 won't render your old devices obsolete; you'll still see vendors releasing new WiFi 6e hardware even after the new evolution.
However, backward compatibility comes with limitations. Many older devices won't experience the full performance benefits of WiFi 7, like higher speeds. They'll be limited to the capabilities of their own WiFi standard.
Some features of the 802.11be standard, like 6GHz band, may require newer security protocols like WPA3, which older devices might not support. In this case, old clients supporting WPA2 like those using WiFi 5 won't work when security is supported. A good example is an iPhone 5. Considering most people nowadays use the latest WiFi standards and newer clients, however, this might not be a big issue overall.
To take advantage of WiFi 7, you'll need new hardware - such as a wireless router and network interface card - that supports the 802.11be standard. Many networking companies have developed WiFi 7-compatible routers.
WiFi 7 routers from TP-Link, Asus, and Netgear are readily available. Some manufacturers are also offering smartphones that are WiFi 7 certified. As the WiFi Alliance continues to finalize the 892.11be specifications, more products featuring WiFi 7 will hit the market.
What's the purpose of WiFi 7?
The goal of the new version of WiFi is to deliver faster connections, lower latency, and the ability to connect many more devices at once. The previous version was built to address the increasing growth of Internet-enabled devices worldwide.
In the US alone, an average home owns an average of 20 connected devices. That's a huge number. With time, we'll likely see even more devices per household. With computing devices, smart home devices, and even microwaves now connecting to the Internet, older wireless networks are getting congested with each passing day.
WiFi 7, however, addresses the demand for modern ultra-high bandwidth and low latency applications. 802.11be provides a high throughput of up to 46Gbps. The speed is 4.8 times faster than WiFi 6 and 13 times faster than WiFi 5.
This translates to extremely fast downloads, smoother streaming of 8K movies or shows, and lag-free gaming even in the most competitive multiplayer environments. WiFi 7 prioritizes lower latency as well, which is crucial for real-time applications like cloud transfers and video conferencing. This new technology is potentially transformative for these areas.
Among other things, WiFi 7 handles wider channels, meaning it can efficiently connect more devices on a network in crowded environments. With more people learning, working, and binge-watching from home than ever before, WiFi couldn't come at a better time. It's a welcome upgrade for homes and businesses alike.
Features of WiFi 7
WiFi 7 is, without a doubt, the fastest adopted standard among all WiFi upgrades. This innovative version addresses the fragmentation in the current WiFi 6 and 6E standards for more dependable connectivity.
WiFi 7:
- Supports all three bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz)
- Provides multi-link operation for improved reliability and efficiency
- Offers 320MHz channel width for extremely high throughput
- Has the capacity for 4K-QAM
- Offers multiple resource units (MRU) and puncturing for increased data capacity
If you don't know what all of those features mean, you're not alone. Read below for more details about each additional feature.
Multi-link operation (MLO)
MLO, short for multi-link operation, is the most exciting advance in WiFi 7. The MLO lets your device talk on multiple frequencies simultaneously. While old WiFi standards establish connections on a single band, the WiFi 7 router can connect to a device using more than one channel in different bands concurrently. This innovation not only potentially enhances data transmission by utilizing wider channels, but it also prioritizes efficiency.
The feature also addresses congestion and interference effectively. A WiFi 7 router equipped with MLO intelligently selects the best channels to transmit data. It becomes easy to bypass potential obstructions and maintain a stable connection with low latency.
MLO helps overcome the shorter range of the 6GHz band. It's one way of ensuring seamless connectivity as you move around your home.
320MHz channel width
Another key feature is the wider channel width, up to 320MHz - twice that of WiFi 6 or 6E. This new channel width is primarily available on the 6GHz band, where up to three 320MHz channels can be utilized.
WiFi 7 can combine portions of the 6GHz and 5GHz bands to achieve this enhanced bandwidth.
This channel width allows WiFi 7 to double the base speed per stream, going from 1.2Gbps (160MHz) to 2.4Gbps (320MHz). Theoretically, a 4x4 broadcaster on the 6GHz WiFi 7 could reach up to 9.6Gbps, especially when considering the new QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) support.
4K-QAM
4K-QAM stands for 4096-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. QAM is a digital modulation technique that transmits information by varying both the amplitude and phase of two carrier signals.
In the context of WiFi 7, the support for QAM is part of the technological advancements. The feature allows for more efficient data transmission by encoding multiple bits of data into a single symbol. Compared to WiFi 6's 1024-QAM, 4K-QAM uses 4096 points, packing 12 bits per signal instead of 10.
In simpler terms, it increases the amount of information that can be transmitted in each transmission cycle. This results in higher data rates and improved overall performance in WiFi communication.
Multiple resource units (MRU) and puncturing
Multiple resource units (MRU) make a difference in how devices share and utilize wireless bandwidth, especially in crowded environments. Think of these as miniature channels within a larger WiFi channel. They represent small slices of the radio frequency spectrum, each carrying data for a specific device or group of devices.
Previously, WiFi 6 used Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) to assign single RUs to individual devices. WiFi 7 advances this technology further. A single device can now be assigned multiple units simultaneously in order to increase data capacity.
Elsewhere, when parts of a resource unit experience interference, WiFi 7 can "puncture" those sections. The aim is to avoid interference and still utilize the usable parts of the RI efficiently.
What benefits does WiFi 7 bring?
As the most recent version of WiFi, this wireless standard offers a number of benefits to users. Consider the list below if you're wondering whether it's time to make the switch yourself.
- More bandwidth. The new WiFi Certified 7 program provides more bandwidth, which means it can handle more connected devices at once without slowing down. That way, you can have computers, phones, consoles, smart TVs, and more all using the same network with no lag.
- Enhanced security. The technology is poised to use the latest security protocols, like WPA3, to encrypt your network and protect your data. It employs techniques like device authentication to prevent unwanted access. WiFi 7 also allows for separate virtual networks on the same router, allowing you to keep IoT devices separate.
- Backward compatibility. This version of WiFi works with older standards, so you don't have to upgrade all of your devices at once. Your WiFi 7 router will automatically connect with whatever version each device supports, providing the most stable connection possible.
- Reduced latency. Latency is the time it takes for devices to respond to each other. This new version of WiFi has ultra-low latency. You can connect devices and expect them to respond instantly.
These WiFi networks, when paired with the right devices, ultimately offer faster speeds and a better user experience. If you find yourself frustrated with your current WiFi, it might be time to switch over.
Comparing WiFi 7 vs WiFi 6 vs WiFi 6E
WiFi 6, or 802.11ax, launched in September 2019. It introduced significant improvements over previous standards. WiFi 6E (802.11ax) arrived in early 2021 and built upon WiFi 6 by adding access to the newly-available 6GHz band.
With the seventh version of WiFi, the standard promises major strides in comparison to its predecessors. Assess the chart below to compare WiFi 7 to WiFi 6 and 6E.
| Feature | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | WiFi 7 |
| Launch year | 2019 | 2021 | 2024 |
| IEEE standard | 802.11ax | 802.11ax | 802.11be |
| Maximum speed | 9.6Gbps | 9.6Gbps | 46Gbps |
| Latency | Moderate | Slightly low | Ultra-low |
| Bands supported | 2.4GHz, 5GHz | 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz (limited) | 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz |
| Key features | Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA); multiple input-multiple output (MIMO), Target Wake Time (TWT) | Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA); multiple input-multiple output (MIMO), Target Wake Time (TWT), wider channels | 4K-QAM modulation, multi-link operation (MLO), multi-resource unit (MRU) and preamble puncturing |
| Maximum channel bandwidth | 160MHz, with limitations | 160MHz | 320MHz |
| Highest modulation | 1024-QAM | 1024-QAM | 4096-QAM |
| Best for | Moderate to high bandwidth needs, congested networks | Faster speeds, less congestion (where available) | Early adopters, high-bandwidth applications, VR/AR, cloud gaming |
When will I get WiFi 7 on my devices?
You can buy WiFi 7 routers right now, and the chips are also available for purchase. However, these devices are relatively scarce. Therefore, you don't need to rush out and replace all of your devices right now.
The standard will continue to roll out and become the norm, meaning it will get added to new devices in the coming months. As you gradually upgrade your devices, you'll get this new version of WiFi.
What are the most likely real-world usages for WiFi 7?
This new standard of WiFi is superior to other, older standards. With more advanced features, your connections and quality of connections will improve. It will speed things up and handle higher latencies.
But beyond the home, this version of WiFi is ideal for crowded venues like stadiums, airports, and conference centers. It can provide efficient connectivity to numerous devices. It also benefits enterprise networks by enhancing workplace productivity with faster data transfer.
For the tech field, it supports immersive experiences, like VR and AR, with low latency. Even inside the home, people will find benefits; it can accommodate the increasing number of connected devices inside individual homes and local communities.
Frequently asked questions
When is WiFi 7 coming out?
WiFi 7's release date already passed; it was released officially on January 8, 2024. WiFi 7 routers are now available, but widespread adoption with compatible devices is still in progress. Therefore, early adopters can access benefits now, but mainstream users might need to wait until later in the year.
Will I need new devices to use WiFi 7?
Yes, devices need to support the 802.11be WiFi standard to utilize its features to a great extent. Existing devices will still connect, but they won't benefit from all of the improvements.
Is WiFi 7 faster?
Yes, this new version of WiFi is faster. It delivers higher data rates to meet the demands of modern connectivity seamlessly.