What Is Wi-Fi 7 and How Fast Is It? When Will It Arrive?
|Say goodbye to buffering, hello blazing-fast internet speeds! But next in the world of wireless networking is Wi-Fi 7, which will turn everything on its head. But what is Wi-Fi 7, actually? How fast will it actually be when we see it in our homes and businesses?
What is Wi-Fi 7?
With this successor to today’s Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard–wi-fi 7, or IEEE 802 -in the pipeline, are network standards really so much trouble? It’s a major upgrade that brings several improvements, including:
- Wider channels: Wi-Fi 7 employs wider channels in the 6 GHz band than previous generations which used the 2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz ranges, respectively The more data that can be transferred at the same time, the faster it is.
- Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) with more streams: MIMO technology communicates by using multiple antennas to send and receive data at the same time. The technology also supports up to 16 MIMO streams, compared with eight in the case of Wi-Fi 6.
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO): This feature gives Wi-Fi 7 devices the ability to connect across multiple channels at once–a major step forward that adds reliability and flexibility, particularly in crowded environments.
- Lower latency: Latency, which is the time it takes for data to travel between devices, can be shortened by Wi-Fi 7. This is particularly true for time-sensitive applications including virtual reality, gaming and video conferencing.
But how fast is Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 achieves peak speed of about 46 Gbps, nearly five times faster than previous generation. However, in the real world speeds will be slower. The amount depends on factors such as network congestion, device capability and interference. But a truly sizable speed gain is still in the works, and Wi-Fi 7 will be ideal for activities that use up bandwidth such as downloading huge files or streaming high Res video. It’ll also come in handy when running many connected devices at once.
When will Wi-Fi 7 arrive?
The standard for Wi-Fi 7 is not yet finalized. It will come out late in 2023 or early in the following year at best. But some Wi-Fi 7 products, such as intelligent phones and routers are already available although in small numbers. Moreover they may not yet implement all the functions of standards finally selected.
Should you wait for Wi-Fi 7?
If your existing Wi-Fi setup isn’t giving you too much trouble, then there probably is no urgent need to upgrade just yet. You can wait a while before taking the plunge into Wireless 7 territory. But if you’re a heavy user who has to have maximum speed, or are buying new equipment in the near future, then perhaps it would make sense to wait for Wi-Fi 7 compatibility.
The Future of Wi-Fi
A game-changer The prospect of Wi-Fi 7 will reinvent the way we live and work. The blazing speed, lower latency and greater reliability of Wi-Fi 7 mean that the next generation will usher in a new wave of connected devices and applications. With Wi-Fi 7, everything from smart homes and wearables to virtual reality and augmented reality is moving toward a future where achieving seamless connection isn’t even remarkable.
Therefore, wait for Wi-Fi 7. It’s just around the corner.
In addition to the points mentioned above, here are some other interesting facts about Wi-Fi 7:
- For the planet as well, your battery life, Wi-Fi 7 is also more energy efficient than its precursors.
- Wi-Fi 7 can improve security and privacy through improved encryption and authentication.
- The truth is that in the future Internet of Things (IoT) world where billions of devices will be on line, Wi-Fi 7 has an important role to play.
I hope this blog post has given you a complete introduction to Wi-Fi 7. If you have any questions, just leave a comment below.