Certification of Wi-Fi 7, the cutting-edge wireless networking standard designed for home, enterprise, and industrial environments, is on track for completion by the end of the first quarter of 2024. As per the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi Certified 7, based on IEEE 802.11be technology, will be accessible by Q1 2024, facilitating global interoperability and ushering in advanced Wi-Fi performance for the next generation of connected devices.
Wi-Fi 7 devices are already entering the market, promising dramatically increased speeds compared to Wi-Fi 6 and 6E. Kristen Hanich, an analyst with Parks Associates, notes Wi-Fi 7’s key feature is its support for extremely high throughput, reaching speeds up to 46 Gbps, a substantial leap from Wi-Fi 6E’s 10 Gbps.
Among the anticipated features of Wi-Fi 7 is multi-link operation (MLO), addressing spectrum congestion challenges by significantly improving spectrum efficiency. This innovation allows dynamic connections to multiple bands, providing a more flexible and efficient user experience.
The new standard also opens access to the recently released 6 GHz band, effectively doubling the available spectrum in the U.S. Wi-Fi 7 is poised to overcome spectrum congestion challenges and further accelerate the evolution of wireless connectivity.
While Wi-Fi 6 and 6E have seen rapid adoption, Wi-Fi 7’s unique features, including enhanced bandwidth and dynamic band switching, position it to gain rapid traction. Andrew Spivey from ABI Research notes that Wi-Fi 7’s demand is driven by the need for additional network capacity, particularly in applications such as augmented and virtual reality.
As the market gears up for the Wi-Fi 7 era, it’s important to note that widespread adoption typically takes two to three years, influenced by factors like device availability, perceived benefits, and marketing efforts. Wi-Fi 7 is set to revolutionize connectivity, offering an unprecedented leap in speed, efficiency, and reliability.