Wi-Fi 7: A Giant Leap in Connected Future

In an age of ever-growing connectivity and a relentless thirst for faster data speeds, a new champion emerges on the horizon:

• Technically known as 802.11be and also referred to as EHT(Extremely High Throughput)
• Peak throughput of up to 46 Gbps, 4.8 times more than Wi-Fi 6
• Supports 16 spatial streams and CMU-MIMO- coordinated MU-MIMO
• Use of multi-band/multi-channel aggregation, wherein 5 GHz channel can be bonded with 6 GHz channel to form a bigger channel and so on
• Supports 320 MHz channel bandwidth, 160 + 160 MHz, 240 + 180 MHz and 160 + 80 MHz channels to combine non-adjacent spectrum blocks
• Compatible with 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz unlicensed spectrum
• Supports 4096 QAM modulation, up from Wi-Fi 6’s 1024 QAM
• Expected to hit the market by mid-2024

Any guesses which technology is being discussed here?

If you thought of Wi-Fi 7, we are on the same page!

The way we use the Internet has completely and radically altered the lives and businesses of billions of people across the globe. The disrupting latest Wi-Fi 7 solutions are here to empower enterprises to untether themselves from the limits of wired connections around them.

After the successful stint of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, now Wi-Fi 7 will be creating a stir. Witnessing the constant exponential growth, enterprises and home spaces are expanding their capabilities through connectivity, and Wi-Fi 7 would amplify it further, from every corner possible.

To meet the demands of better connectivity, Wi-Fi strives to attain improved performance, enhanced efficiency, reduced costs while offering an impeccable user experience.

In this race, Wi-Fi is evolving to untangle itself from the limitations set by its predecessor version to connect the unconnected in masses. And here, Wi-Fi 7 has created a stir in connecting the world much before its official launch.

Curious to get more details???

Well, you need to keep scrolling further to this blog piece and unleash what Wi-Fi 7 has got within its technology Pandora box.

Wi-Fi 7: A Quick Synopsis

Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) is the next-generation Wi-Fi standard to be launched soon, changing the way we experience internet connectivity. It would deliver a higher data transmission rate, better spectrum, power efficiency, enhanced interference mitigation, higher capacity density at a cost-efficient price.

Alluring Wi-Fi 7 Features

Albeit Wi-Fi 7 is yet to make an official entrance, and still many of its features are yet to be defined, but the constant progress toward it is giving us a sneak peek into its evolution and what more can be expected out of it. 

Wi-Fi 7 Technical Features

• First and foremost, Wi-Fi 7 shall leap forward to a futuristic platform that would have pre-existing features but with a tint of innovation at its peak
• The prevalent feature of Wi-Fi 6, OFDMA, would be a part of Wi-Fi 7, but it would be enhanced further to make it more flexible and efficient, with the added option to use 4096-QAM.  This leads to more dense data in the same spectrum, hence more throughput (20% enhancement, to be exact)
• It introduces multi-band and multi-channel aggregation, leading to enhanced spectrum and power efficiency. This translates to improved interference handling, greater capacity density, and a more cost-effective solution.
• MU-MIMO capabilities are doubled in Wi-Fi 7, supporting 16 spatial streams, a considerable leap from the 8 streams in Wi-Fi 6.
• It utilizes multiple resource units, like groups of OFDMA tones, optimizing spectrum usage. This makes Wi-Fi 7 a prime choice for enterprise applications.
• The channel width for Wi-Fi 7 is set to reach 320 MHz, which is twice the size of the 160 MHz in 802.11ax. This positions Wi-Fi 7 optimally to leverage the 6 GHz band.
• One can anticipate a significant surge in the maximum data rate, with potentials of hitting 46 Gbps under certain conditions and setups.
• Wi-Fi 7 ensures reduced latency and offers greater adaptability in utilizing both network and spectrum resources.
• CMU-MIMO leads to multiple co-located Access Points to better utilize spectrum resources and deliver a better end-user experience

In addition to these Wi-Fi 7 technical features, here’s what you can expect from this futuristic technology. 

Performance and Efficiency

Truly, the Wi-Fi 7 features are impressive, perfectly tailored to cater to use cases demanding high reliability and minimal latency. With this very new upcoming version, the scalability aspect of Wi-Fi would be ensured to manage the ever-increasing traffic loads while meeting the users’ needs.  

Multi-AP Coordination

With Wi-Fi 7, the coordination scheduling between multiple Access Points comes with inter-cell coordinated planning. It further leads to removing the interference between Access Points while improving the utilization of air interface resources.

QoS with High-Reliability

Wi-Fi 7 is set to redefine flexibility and deliver unparalleled capabilities. Seamlessly integrating with 3GPP-based 5G, it promises to forge a new foundation for edge computing, cloud structures, virtualization, and digital transformation within the up-and-coming private wireless networks (PWN).

Realistic Shot to VR World

Wi-Fi 7 is all about better performance, quality, speed, and whatnot to enhance connectivity at another level. Here, we cannot miss mentioning the integration of this latest Wi-Fi within the VR world, which would not just give new meaning to connectivity, but also it would further support VR apps/functions requiring QoS, deterministic latency, and high reliability.

Undeniably, this would open a floodgate of opportunities for the enterprise to integrate IoT, AR/VR apps to automate industrial mechanisms, surveillance, remote control, and micro-management of smart devices hassle-free.

Do We Really Need Wi-Fi 7?

Ah, that is the most exciting question, and we’d like to answer it. TBH. The Internet revolution has not solely to do everything with the pandemic; however the development of the digital spectrum has made homes and enterprises rely more and more on Wi-Fi for network access. 

Today, our world has grown into a digital axis point, which can be accessed with ease through the help of the Internet. Here, the emerging applications, remote office, online video conferencing, and much more have higher requirements on throughput and latency. 

To meet the challenges of customers’ demands, the evolution of Wi-Fi technology is not a choice but a necessity. No prize for guessing Wi-Fi 7 with its all technical specifications would fit the bill and would allow immersion and experiential at a whole new level.

Wi-Fi 7 would impact applications’ data transmission

• Video/Voice conference
• Interactive telemedicine
• Cloud/Edge computing
• Industrial IoT
• Immersive AR/VR
• Real-time collaboration
• Online gaming

Wi-Fi 7 Applications

Wi-Fi 7 brings forth numerous applications and benefits for businesses, entertainment, and smart living. Here are some Wi-Fi 7 applications based on the aspects highlighted:

Wi-Fi 7 Transforming Business Dynamics:

Gone are the days of prolonged logins, glitchy virtual conferences, and choked internet passages. Wi-Fi 7 promises to eliminate these challenges, ensuring fluidity in our professional environments. Envision seamless global conferences without a hint of lag or accessing cloud data in the blink of an eye from the comfort of your home. The forthcoming Wi-Fi generation isn’t just about speed, it’s about unlocking untapped potential for businesses everywhere.

A New Era for Digital Entertainment With WI-Fi 7:

Buffering screens and interrupted gaming sessions will be a thing of the past. With Wi-Fi 7, dive into expansive online games, delve into the realms of AR/VR, or stream ultra-high-definition videos without a hiccup. As the Metaverse becomes the next big playground, Wi-Fi 7 ensures you’re not just a part of it, but ahead in the game.

Wi-Fi 7 Paving the Way for a Smart Living Experience:

With Wi-Fi 7, the dream of an instantaneously responsive smart home inches closer to reality. Whether your home is brimming with the latest IoT gadgets or you’re someone who juggles multiple internet-enabled devices, Wi-Fi 7 ensures everything remains interconnected with lightning-fast reactions. Picture this: a smart home system that reacts instantaneously, enriching your daily life with technology that’s truly in sync with you.

When Can We Expect Wi-Fi 7?

It is expected that IEEE shall be publishing Wi-Fi 7, aka the 802.11be, in mid-2024. Also, just like its predecessors i.e. Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6 E, Wi-Fi 7 would be released with its certification program to ensure interoperability and security standards.

Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6

The primary differences between these two can be summed up by focusing on three pivotal elements: peak data speeds, channel width, and QAM levels.

Speed: Wi-Fi 6 boasts a commendable peak speed of 9.6 Gbps, which is notably fast by today’s standards. However, Wi-Fi 7 elevates this further, projecting speeds of up to a staggering 46 Gbps for a single user connection. This surge in speed is analogous to shifting gears into overdrive.

Channel Width: The concept of “bandwidth” often crops up when talking about the capacity to manage multiple tasks. Bandwidth indeed determines how much data can be moved simultaneously. Previously, the 5 GHz band offered a maximum channel width of 160 MHz. Now, with the addition of the 6 GHz band in the mix, Wi-Fi 7 is set to double that, offering an impressive 320 MHz channel width. To put this in perspective, the entire width of the commonly used 2.4 GHz band is only 83 MHz.

QAM Level: Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is a method to encode data onto radio signals. Wi-Fi 6 was already advanced with its 1024-QAM, but Wi-Fi 7 pushes boundaries by aiming for 4096-QAM. Think of it as the difference between standard and 4K resolution for TVs; it’s about packing in more detail and clarity.

In essence, Wi-Fi 7’s combination of an enlarged channel width and heightened QAM level sets the stage for the jaw-dropping potential of reaching 46 Gbps.

io by HFCL’s Wi-Fi 7 Products

Experience blistering Wi-Fi speeds & extremely low latency with the latest Wi-Fi 7 Products by HFCL i.e. Wi-Fi 7 Access Points designed to provide seamless Wi-Fi even for most demanding applications & harsh environmental conditions. Our range of Wi-Fi 7 solutions comprise of both indoor and outdoor solutions to cater to the versatile customer needs.

The Bottom Line
For any further updates related to Wi-Fi 7 and advanced Wi-Fi 7 solutions, stay connected to this space. The IO team is here to help you nimble and increase profits. Get in touch with us, and redefine your revenue channel with Next-Gen connectivity.