We’re more connected than ever; phones, home assistants, and even lightbulbs can now talk to the internet.
As a society, accessibility to the internet feels as natural as breathing. To keep up with it all, we rely on WiFi standards to provide the highest quality experience. We’re excited to hear that WiFi 7 is on the horizon.
But what is it? How do you get it? And how is it better than the apparent six other versions we’ve had?
We’re here to answer all your questions and more:
What is WiFi 7?
WiFi 7 is the seventh generation of WiFi, bringing with it some exciting advancements in speed, capacity, and performance.
Every device that connects to the internet or provides it, like routers, has hardware inside that enables connectivity. But to ensure everyone has the same experience and support specific criteria, a group of brilliant minds at the WiFi Alliance came up with the idea of standards.
Each generation of WiFi has its own set of standards, and WiFi 7 is no exception. Although it’s not an official standard yet, WiFi 7 is expected to be based on the 802.11bz standard and promises to deliver even faster speeds and better performance in areas with a high density of devices, like apartment buildings or crowded public spaces.
While it may take a few years before devices that support WiFi 7 are widely available, it’s an exciting time for WiFi technology. So, get ready to say goodbye to slow buffering and lagging video calls and hello to lightning-fast WiFi 7.
If a device claims to be WiFi 7 certified, it has had to meet specific requirements, ranging from speed to connection reliability. The idea is to ensure everyone with access to the world wide web gets the same experience.
How different is WiFi 7 from previous versions?
WiFi 7 is, of course a step up from its predecessor in several areas:
• You get wider channels when connecting to the network
• Supports channels up to 320MHZ wide.
What does this mean? Well, the connections can handle more traffic than ever before. When networks can support more traffic, you get less traffic, which means no more slowdowns and no more dreaded buffering.
The new WiFi 7 handles higher amounts of data transmitting and receiving. Thanks to higher radio frequency waves, your network can send and receive data more quicker.
Essentially, you’re getting superior speed, maximum support for usability, and a stronger connection. While there might be more benefits at home if you experience WiFi issues, you see the benefits of WiFi 7 in large-scale applications. Connections will be less congested in rural areas or events. Meaning devices can stream higher quality and more significant amounts of video simultaneously, which is ideal for growing interest in VR content.
When will we get WiFi 7?
Now, when can I get my hands on WiFi 7? Well, it’s more complicated. To take advantage of the new standard, you’ll need new hardware on both ends of the connection, both in the router and connected devices.
But don’t worry; there’s good news too! TP-Link already has a range of WiFi 7-equipped routers ready to go, with exciting features like 10Gbps ports, touchscreens, and mesh network support. And more manufacturers are expected to follow suit later this year, so keep an eye out for the latest and greatest in WiFi technology.
While it may take some time for WiFi 7 to become widely available, the wait for lightning-fast speeds and improved performance will be worth it. So, get ready to upgrade your devices and enjoy the benefits of WiFi 7 in the coming years!
