The Wi-Fi Alliance Officially Launches Wi-Fi 7 Certified Program, Paving the Way for Next-Gen Connectivity
In a major leap for wireless technology, the Wi-Fi Alliance has ushered in the era of Wi-Fi 7 by introducing its “Wi-Fi 7 Certified” program. Phones, laptops, and routers are now eligible for this latest stamp of approval, heralding a new age of connectivity.
Wi-Fi 7, marked by the official IEEE standard 802.11be, promises lightning-fast speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity for multiple connected devices. The certification opens the door to advancements in multi-user AR/VR/XR, immersive 3-D training, electronic gaming, hybrid work, industrial IoT, and automotive applications.
While routers from leading brands have been using the Wi-Fi 7 label for months, the official Wi-Fi logo will now be granted after passing the rigorous Wi-Fi Alliance certification tests.
Key Features of Wi-Fi 7: A Glimpse into the Future of Connectivity
Wi-Fi 7, the seventh generation of wireless technology, builds on the success of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. This revolutionary standard promises faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced device handling capabilities. The wider channels in the 6GHz band, doubling from 160MHz to 320MHz, enable a typical Wi-Fi 7 laptop to achieve a potential maximum of 5.8Gbps — a significant leap from Wi-Fi 6/6E.
Multi-Link Operation (MLO) is another game-changer, allowing devices to simultaneously connect on two bands, resulting in faster speeds, improved reliability, and ultra-low latency. This innovation ensures a smoother, more efficient data flow, likened to cars traveling across two highways simultaneously.
Do You Need New Equipment?
To leverage the benefits of Wi-Fi 7, users will require both a Wi-Fi 7 router and a Wi-Fi 7 device. While Wi-Fi 7 routers are already available, Wi-Fi 7 devices are still relatively rare. However, Wi-Fi 7’s backward compatibility ensures that users can still connect older devices to Wi-Fi 7 routers, though without enjoying the full spectrum of Wi-Fi 7 benefits.
When Will Wi-Fi 7 Be Widely Available?
Although Wi-Fi 7 routers are already on the market, widespread adoption is expected to accelerate. The Wi-Fi Alliance predicts a surge of 233 million Wi-Fi 7 devices by 2024, growing to a staggering 2.1 billion by 2028. Chipset production by industry giants like Broadcom, Intel, MediaTek, and Qualcomm indicates an imminent wave of Wi-Fi 7-compatible phones, laptops, and other devices, with the industry gearing up for a transformative connectivity experience by the end of 2024.
