Question: What is Wi-Fi 7 and do I need it?
Answer: Wi-Fi technology has evolved over the years, and most users don’t notice significant differences. Wi-Fi 6 started rolling out in 2019 and was formally adopted by device manufacturers as new products were released, and the same will be the case with Wi-Fi 7.
The next generation of smartphones from Apple, Google and Samsung will support new laptops, tablets and other smartphones in the coming months.
What is Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 forms the foundation of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E, which is what you use most today. It is designed to provide high speed, low latency and better performance when handling multiple devices. While Wi-Fi 6 introduced features like OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) to manage heavy traffic from multiple devices, Wi-Fi 7 takes it to the next level.
Wi-Fi 7 Key Improvements:
- Very fast speed: Theoretically maximum speeds of up to 46 Gbps can be reached, far beyond what Wi-Fi 6 or most wired connections offer. This is due to the wider channel bandwidth (320 MHz compared to Wi-Fi 6’s 160 MHz) which is like doubling the number of lanes on a freeway.
- Multiple Link Operation (MLO): It can connect to multiple frequency bands simultaneously (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz), improving reliability and reducing latency. This is especially helpful for mobile devices as new physical obstacles can affect connectivity when you’re moving around a large house or warehouse.
- Low latency: It is particularly attractive for real-time applications such as gaming, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and 4K/8K video streaming.
- Improved Congestion Management: Designed to handle even more connected devices with less interference and congestion.
These improvements make Wi-Fi 7 ideal for users with demanding performance needs—think gamers, professionals using high-bandwidth applications, or households with dozens of smart devices.
Do you need Wi-Fi 7?
Now, the big question: Should you really upgrade to Wi-Fi 7? The answer largely depends on how you use the Internet and what kind of performance you expect from your wireless network.
If you’re someone who primarily uses the Internet for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking email, or streaming HD video, Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 5 will still meet your needs. Most home networks are not constrained by the speed of the Internet connection and Wi-Fi speed.
For example, if your Internet connection is below 200 Mbps, upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 will not provide a significant improvement unless you improve the speed coming into your home or business.
On the other hand, if you work in a field that requires high-performance connectivity, such as online gaming, video conferencing, or graphic design, video editing, or cloud-based computing, Wi-Fi 7 may be worth it. Investment. Its low latency and fast speed make a definite difference, especially when every millisecond counts.
Future proofing
If you plan to upgrade your network equipment soon, it makes sense to invest in a Wi-Fi 7-capable router now. More devices will begin to support the new standard, and if you plan to install a large number of smart home devices or the ability to handle dozens of connected gadgets at once, Wi-Fi 7 will become a real advantage.
Ken Colburn is the founder and CEO of Data Doctors Computer Services, datadoctors.com. Ask any technical question at facebook.com/DataDoctors or Twitter @TheDataDoc.
#WiFi