While everybody is familiar with the evolution of mobile networks, from 3G to 4G and now to 5G, Wi-Fi technology has also been advancing simultaneously.
Imagine attending a virtual class, streaming an 8K film, and managing an entire home full of smart devices – all at once, and that too without a single glitch. This level of seamless digital living is no longer a distant dream, but rather a reality with the emergence and rise of Wi-Fi 7, which is a great leap forward for wireless connectivity – at least when it comes to the speed.
Also known as 802.11be EHT, for those who love classic technobabble names, Wi-Fi 7 can push data speeds of up to a whopping 40 Gbps, which pales in comparison to the 10 Gbps for its predecessor, the Wi-Fi 6. Obviously, most consumers probably won’t even think about that advertised speed in their everyday lives and use, and neither will they probably require every last drop of it.
However, for those who are thinking about updating their internet-connected devices and wireless network in the near future, Wi-Fi 7 and its gamut of benefits should definitely be on their radar. This article does a deep dive into the world of Wi-Fi 7 and its basics, and what’s the big deal about it.
Understanding Wi-Fi 7
The term “Wi-Fi 7” refers to the seventh generation of wireless technology. It comes on the heels of the 2019-launched Wi-Fi 6 and the 2020-launched Wi-Fi 6E. These are technology standards created by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers), with the official IEEE standard for Wi-Fi 7 being 802.11be. Wi-Fi 7 was officially launched by the Wi-Fi Alliance in January 2024, followed by a list of the new laptops, phones, and routers with the Wi-Fi 7 seal of approval. That’s because both the device and the router need to be Wi-Fi 7 compatible in order for one to use and take advantage of Wi-Fi 7 features.
Wi-Fi 7 essentially builds on the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6/6E, while adding multiple key enhancements that dramatically improve efficiency, reduce latency, and increase throughput across dense device environments.
How does Wi-Fi 7 work?
Even though Wi-Fi 7 uses the same 3 bands as the Wi-Fi 6E – 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz – the fact that it doubles the channel size of the 6Hz band (going from 160MHz to 320MHz) is what makes it a winner. Typically, Wi-Fi 7 laptops could reach “potential maximums” of 5.8 Gbps, which is 2.4x faster than the maximum 2.4 Gbps Wi-Fi 6/6E offer. The other feature that sets Wi-Fi 7 apart is Multi-Link Operation (MLO) technology.
While Wi-Fi 6/6E provided access to multiple bands, devices could connect to only a single band at a time. With MLO, Wi-Fi 7 devices can connect on two bands simultaneously, resulting in ultra-low latency, improved reliability, and faster speeds.
So, What’s The Big Deal About Wi-Fi 7?
The future belongs to Wi-Fi 7, and its features and use cases are a testament to that. With increased bandwidth, one of its standout features, Wi-Fi 7 supports 320 MHz channels, ensuring that there’s more than enough data to go around in homes with multiple smart devices. So, you can connect more devices without experiencing interruptions or sacrificing speed, as internet speed does determine how effective IoT (Internet of Things) systems are.
Secondly, Wi-Fi 7 supports 4K-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), allowing higher data rates for streaming bandwidth-intensive applications, such as high-resolution video, which are now very common in households with multiple IoT devices.
Wi-Fi 7 goes a step ahead by addressing challenges with former Wi-Fi networks when it comes to connectivity for IoT devices with its MLO capabilities, allowing devices to connect over multiple bands simultaneously to the network. This not only enhances the connection’s reliability and improves connectivity, but also reduces the likelihood of dropped signals. Of course, the fact that Wi-Fi 7 can potentially support more IoT devices more efficiently is perhaps its exciting aspect.
When there is proliferation of IoT devices, there’s an increase in cybersecurity concerns. Wi-Fi 7 is equipped with an updated security protocol that’s designed to better protect IoT devices from all kinds of cyber threats. This emphasis on security is important as the number of connected devices in the IoT ecosystem only continues to increase.
Perhaps one of the most big-picture uses of Wi-Fi 7, beyond individual businesses and homes, is its role in the development of Smart Cities. For instance, Wi-Fi 7 is well-suited for applications such as smart parking solutions and real-time traffic updates, thanks to its ability to deliver low-latency communications and handle a high density of connections.
Moreover, it can also support the multitude of cameras, sensors, and connected devices that drive smart city initiatives, such as environmental monitoring, waste management, and traffic management. Furthermore, it can help public safety systems, ranging from emergency response systems to surveillance cameras, operate more smoothly and efficiently.
Ushering The Next Era of Connectivity
The emergence of Wi-Fi 7 signals a turning point in the evolution of network connectivity – no pun intended. By providing improved security features, enhanced bandwidth, and higher speeds, Wi-Fi 7 will allow to build seamless connectivity for smart devices, which will only increase in numbers going ahead.
As we continue to adjust to living in what is an increasingly connected world, Wi-Fi 7 stands poised to support the growing demands of IoT, ensuring that not only homes, but also enterprises, businesses, and entire cities can operate securely and efficiently.
In case you missed:
- The Rise Of Cloud WAN and SD-WAN: Network For The AI Era
- Guiding Light: How Photonics is Revolutionising Data Centres
- The Future of Wearable Tech in Personalised Care
- Why You Should Use Password Managers in 2025
- The Good Samaritan: A Complete Guide To Ethical Hacking
- The Pi Hackathon 2025: What It Means for the Controversial Cryptocurrency
- Zero Trust Architecture: The Next Big Thing In Security
- Of ISO 20022 Standards, DeFi Testnet, and Clearing KYCs: What’s Happening With Pi Network?
- All About Cybersecurity-as-a-Service
- Are Cryptocurrencies Becoming an Asset Class?
