The New Wifi 7 Is Coming In 2024

the upcoming Wi-Fi 7 technology, officially known as 802.11be, is nearing completion and is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2024.

Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Nears Completion for Q1 2024 Launch

The Wi-Fi Alliance is on track to complete work on the Wi-Fi 7 standard by the first quarter of 2024. This information was confirmed through a new subpage of the Alliance on LinkedIn and hinted at in the Beacon blog previously. The completion of this standard marks a significant advancement in wireless networking technology.

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 Program and Device Certification

The official certification program for Wi-Fi 7, known as “Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7,” will be based on the 802.11be standard. This certification is crucial for ensuring interoperability among various devices, including WLAN routers, notebooks, and smartphones equipped with Wi-Fi 7 capabilities.

Key Innovations of Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7 introduces three major innovations:

1. Broad 320 MHz channels will be permitted, although the utility of this feature will vary by region due to differing regulations on the use of the 6 GHz band introduced by Wi-Fi 6E.
2. The bandwidth is set to increase with 4K QAM (4096-QAM), a significant jump from the 1024 QAM in Wi-Fi 6, potentially leading to a 20% data rate increase.
3. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) will offer additional bandwidth and redundancy advantages, allowing devices to transmit on multiple bands simultaneously and distribute data, similar to carrier aggregation in mobile communications.

Compatibility Concerns with Early Wi-Fi 7 Devices

There is uncertainty regarding whether Wi-Fi 7 devices already on the market will comply with the finalized standard. This situation mirrors the early days of the 802.11n standard, where manufacturers released “draft n” devices well before the standard’s official adoption.

While network manufacturers were transparent about the draft status then, the current market has only a few Wi-Fi 7 routers, which are often expensive. Firmware updates are expected to address any potential discrepancies with the final standard.

Anticipation for CES and Future Developments

With the Wi-Fi Alliance set to be present at CES in Las Vegas in January, there is anticipation for new launches in WLAN hardware. This event may provide further insights into the development and implementation of Wi-Fi 7 technology.

In summary, Wi-Fi 7 is poised to bring significant advancements in wireless networking, with broader channels, increased bandwidth, and enhanced multi-link operation. As the technology nears completion, the tech industry eagerly awaits its official launch and the potential it holds for improving wireless connectivity.

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