Photo: WiFi Alliance
The WiFi Alliance has officially begun certifying devices supporting WiFi 7, opening a door for an influx of tech products, including phones, laptops, and routers equipped with WiFi 7 technology.
While WiFi 7 routers from companies like Netgear, TP-Link, and Eero have already entered the market, certification remained crucial. Though existing routers may still work effectively with WiFi 7 devices, certification assures compatibility and optimal performance.
One of the standout features is the introduction of Multi-Link Operation (MLO), a form of wireless link aggregation across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz brands. This innovation promises increased speed along with an ability to transition between brands. MLO also offers decreased latency by reducing the delivery time of data packets over the internet.
As pointed out by The Verge, citing Kevin Robinson, CEO of WiFi Alliance, not all routers can connect the three bands. Only the most capable routers will be able to do this. Standard WiFi 7 routers may only able to connect only two bands at once, which is also quite an upgrade over the WiFi 6 routers.
WiFi 7 boasts a substantial speed boost over WiFi 6E, offering double the channel bandwidth, from 160 MHz to 320 MHz. This enhancement translates to the potential for wireless downloads exceeding two gigabits per second.
Based on IEEE 802.11be technology, WiFi Certified 7 supports key applications such as augmented, virtual, and extended reality (AR/VR/XR), immersive 3D training, and ultra-high-definition video streaming.
Additional features include 4K QAM and 512 Compressed Block Ack, contributing to higher transmission rates and efficiency.
As for the consumers, this certification might be less dramatic than anticipated. As noted by PCMag, one key aspect is that the advantages of WiFi 7 are largely confined to devices bearing the WiFi 7 label. The compatibility between WiFi 7 devices and their predecessors, such as WiFi 6 routers, is not seamless.
Another hurdle in the widespread adoption of WiFi 7 capabilities is the regulatory landscape, particularly concerning the 6 GHz bands. While the WiFi 6E model supports the 6 GHz band, the enhanced 320 MHz channel width is contingent upon regulatory approvals. This is the reason why Qualcomm urged India to adopt WiFi 7 technology. Similarly, the US Federal Communications Commission (UCC) has yet to greenlight Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) in the United States. Until this feature is approved, many devices will continue operating at lower power levels on the 6 GHz channel.
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