Understanding WiFi 7 vs. WiFi 6

We wouldn’t be making a big deal about WiFi 7 if it wasn’t dramatically different from WiFi 6. Still, if you don’t know what WiFi 6 is then these are still just numbers.

WiFi allowed devices to wirelessly connect to the internet from a central router, but for devices from different manufacturers to connect there needed to be a universal set of standards that their devices could be built to connect to.

The result was 802.11 protocol (WiFi 1) in 1997. Ever since then WiFi standards have been improving to create greater speed and connectivity with WiFi 7 being the latest evolution.

However, when you weigh WiFi 7 vs. WiFi 6, it’s clear that WiFi 7 is a revolution instead of just an improvement. Compared to WiFi 6, WiFi 7:

  • Doubles channel frequency from 160MHz to 320MHz. The wider the channel, the more data can fit through it.
  • Reduces latency by 7x.
  • Extends WiFi coverage by an average of 25% for Norwood Light Fiber networks and devices.

WiFi 7 and multi-gig internet

WiFi 7’s capabilities benefit anyone using it, but they will be especially important for anyone who wants to take advantage of multi-gig internet.

Currently, Norwood Light Broadband Fiber offers multi-gig speeds of up to 3 Gbps that allow you to connect a seemingly endless number of devices to your network and use them without ever noticing a dip in your internet speed.

In fact, Norwood Light Broadband Fiber with WiFi 7 allows you to connect over 100 concurrent devices to your home or business network since multi-gig internet delivers a tidal wave of data every second.

If you want to ride the multi-gig data wave then pairing it with WiFi 7 is an excellent choice since it offers more bandwidth with a 320 MHz channel that can better handle the incredible speed at which multi-gig internet delivers data.

Norwood Light Broadband Fiber WiFi 7 mesh network

Of course, since WiFi 7 is new it will take time for devices like gaming consoles and V.R. headsets to catch up and be designed to handle WiFi 7 speed. Even finding a router that’s ready for WiFi 7 could be difficult, but thanks to the Norwood Light Broadband Fiber WiFi mesh network, you can bring multi-gig speeds and a WiFi 7-ready network home all together.

It seems like WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E arrived just yesterday, but early adopters have already started upgrading to WiFi 7. And it’s no wonder. WiFi 7 promises speeds up to eight times faster than WiFi 6, supporting more devices and better coverage. Let’s take a closer look at how WiFi 7 improves on WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E, so you can decide if it’s time to upgrade.

WiFi 7 vs. WiFi 6 vs. WiFi 6E: Blazing-fast speeds

WiFi 6 was a game changer. Released in 2019, the sixth generation of WiFi standards raised theoretical maximum speeds from 6.9 gigabits per second (Gbps) to 9.6 Gbps. WiFi 6E improved on WiFi 6 by adding an additional channel on the 6 Ghz band after the FCC voted to open this band for public use in 2020.

The Gpbs rate refers to what gets passed along to individual devices on your WiFi network, impacting how fast you can download data, stream movies, and play games. The maximum speeds are theoretical because they’re based on processing data in an optimal setting with exceptionally fast internet service. Currently, fiber-optic internet is the fastest available internet service. As an example, Norwood Light Broadband Fiber offers up to 3 Gbps fiber internet in some areas, which hits close to the max that WiFi 6 is capable of.

WiFi 7 is set to revolutionize the speeds at which our devices operate, with rates up to 8 times faster than WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E. Theoretically, WiFi 7 can process more than 40 Gbps. With multi-gig internet service, having a network that can channel tons of data efficiently, tons of devices is essential.

How WiFi 7 reaches max speeds

WiFi 7 can deliver such blazing speeds due to key technical improvements that increase throughput (how much data can be transmitted on your network simultaneously), bandwidth, and decrease latency. We’ll spare you the in-depth technical discussion with a layman’s explanation of how WiFi 7 improves on WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E.

Higher data density

Modulation is how data packets are manipulated and sent to your devices. WiFi 7 uses 4K QAM—4096 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation—to stuff more bits of data into its transmission. With this new protocol, WiFi 7 improves on WiFi 6’s data transmission by 20%, resulting in more data being delivered to your devices at once.

Wider channels

WiFi 7 increases bandwidth to 320 MHz, using an unprecedented three channels on the 6 GHz frequency band. WiFi 7 can also simultaneously use channels on 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz to deliver data. Access to multiple channels combined with higher data density results in better throughput for WiFi 7.

Low Latency

Latency is the speed at which data is transmitted within your network. If you’ve ever experienced lagging, jittering, and buffering, you’ve dealt with latency issues. With increased bandwidth, WiFi 7 is able to reduce latency by more efficiently managing how data is transmitted via its channels. It also uses multiple channels simultaneously to ensure data reaches devices quickly. WiFi 6E can only use one channel per device at a time.

The future of WiFi

With its fast speeds, efficient handling of data, and ability to serve more devices at once, WiFi 7 is an exciting advancement in wireless technology. But widespread adoption won’t be instantaneous. It will take time for laptops, phones, and other devices to catch up and take advantage of its blazing fast potential. Fortunately, the WiFi 7 solution from Norwood Light Fiber will support backwards compatibility for devices connected to the router that may operate on a prior WiFi standard such as WiFi5 or WiFi6. Users will experience improvement in coverage, as well as improvements in throughput. Norwood Light Broadband Fiber customers are already benefitting from WiFi 7 with multi-gig fiber internet, which allows up to 50 devices to connect with 25% more coverage area.
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