As of January 22, 2024, the WiFi Alliance has officially completed the standardization of WiFi 7, also known as 802.11be. WiFi 7-enabled laptops are set to deliver impressive data rates ranging from 4.0 to 5.8 Gigabits per second (Gbps).
Operating on familiar 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, WiFi 7 maintains backward compatibility with previous Wi-Fi standards. While older devices can connect to WiFi 7 networks, they may not fully benefit from the enhanced performance and new features. Notably, features like beamforming may still offer improved data rates for certain devices.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is anticipated to finalize the Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system, enabling WiFi 7 devices to operate at higher power levels. Firmware upgrades distributing this fix will extend WiFi 7’s range and overall performance.
Key WiFi 7 Features:
1. Increased Channel Bandwidth: WiFi 7 doubles the maximum channel bandwidth from 160MHz to 320MHz, facilitating faster data transmission for higher wireless download speeds.
2. 4K Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM): This feature enhances data packing by up to 120%, outperforming WiFi 6E.
3. Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Devices can now spread connections across two or three bands (2.4 GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz), enhancing speed and stability through seamless switching between bands.
4. Improved Latency: Integration of all three bands reduces airtime restrictions, favoring immediate data packet transmission, particularly beneficial for low-latency applications like online gaming and video conferencing.
5. MU-MIMO Enhancement: WiFi 7 supports more multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO) spatial streams, allowing routers to communicate simultaneously with more devices and improving network efficiency.
6. Multi Resource Units (RU): Unlike previous Wi-Fi versions, WiFi 7 enables channel sharing if there’s available room, avoiding the restriction of the entire channel when part of it is in use.
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