Would you believe that WiFi 7 was already in the works back in 2019? It’s true. Before WiFi 6 was fully widespread and before WiFi 6E was even attainable, the next WiFi generation was being worked up. Technology is constantly evolving. So, should you be concerned with WiFi 7 right now? Let’s talk about the technology of WiFi 7, what it is expected to do, it’s availability and more…
What is WiFi 7?
WiFi 7, or 802.11be, is the next greatest WiFi standard on the horizon. Just like WiFi 6 and 6E, WiFi 7 will eventually require users to upgrade to new routers, mesh systems, and client devices once it does launch. WiFi 7 is still in development and is not yet here, but here are some things to expect.
What makes WiFi 7 better than WiFi 6?
WiFi 7 promises lightning-fast speeds that are 4x faster than WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E. That will be the biggest draw, no doubt. In fact, it’s supposed to be so fast that the technical standard name already has a nickname: “802.11be EHT” which stands for Extremely High Throughput. Kind of catchy?
WiFi 7 will have the potential to deliver data rates of more than 40 Gbps. WiFi 6 has theoretical maximum speeds of 10 Gbps. Still 6x faster than WiFi 5 and what we have known so far. So just imagine what 40 Gbps will mean.
WiFi 7 features:
- Improved data rates
- Lower latency
- Increased network capacity to handle even more connected devices
- Boosted network efficiency
- Backward compatibility with WiFi 6 (802.11ax), WiFi 5 (802.11ac) and WiFi 4 (802.11n) devices.
- Similar OFDMA & MU-MIMO offerings as WiFi 6
- Operating on 4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands like WiFi 6E
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO) technology that allows multiple devices to send and receive data over multiple radio bands at the same time.
- Restricted Target Wake Time which is a feature that allows your router to reserve bandwidth for certain types of transmissions which can help save battery life for your devices.
All these offerings will be ideal for those really looking to level up their WiFi in the near future and for smart homes and IoT devices, especially as the bandwidth demand continues to grow.
When will WiFi 7 be available?
WiFi 7 is estimated to start rolling out in markets as early as 2024. However, some pre-certified routers and client devices might hit shelves earlier, like in late 2023. We saw it with WiFi 6, so that’s something to look out for.
Should I wait for WiFi 7?
Although some WiFi 7 routers may be available by 2023, the WiFi 7 standard may not be certified until 2024, so it’s best to wait for that certification of the new technology standard by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) before you make that investment in a WiFi 7 device. If you are looking to upgrade your WiFi and current WiFi boosters right now, WiFi 6 is a great option.
Hitron’s OS2210 Dual Band WiFi 6 Mesh system supports WiFi 6, which means ultimate coverage throughout your home with the strongest WiFi yet.
Ready to outfit your home with great WiFi? Hitron’s mesh system is available on Amazon.
Want to learn more on home networking, WiFi boosters and more? Head to our Learn Page resources or visit Hitron’s blog.