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Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6 - Should you upgrade?

Writer's picture: Andrew CrombieAndrew Crombie


Whether Work-from-home or Back-to-Office, Wi-Fi performance is critical to the overall productivity of your teams  Credit: Canva
Whether Work-from-home or Back-to-Office, Wi-Fi performance is critical to the overall productivity of your teams Credit: Canva

Wi-Fi 7 offers several key differences and advantages over Wi-Fi 6, making it a worthwhile upgrade for businesses looking to enhance their wireless network capabilities[1][2].


Key Differences:

* Maximum Data Transfer Rate: Wi-Fi 7 can achieve speeds of up to 46 Gbps, while Wi-Fi 6 maxes out at 9.6 Gbps[1][3]. This makes Wi-Fi 7 nearly five times faster than Wi-Fi 6[1]. For the same Wi-Fi radio configuration, Wi-Fi 7 will be 2.4x faster than Wi-Fi 6[6].

* Maximum Channel Bandwidth: Wi-Fi 7 doubles the channel width of Wi-Fi 6, expanding from 160 MHz to 320 MHz. This larger bandwidth allows Wi-Fi 7 to handle more data at once[1].

* Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Wi-Fi 7 introduces MLO, enabling devices to connect across multiple bands simultaneously for faster and more reliable connections, a feature lacking in Wi-Fi 6[1]. With Wi-Fi 7, devices can send and receive data across different bands and channels simultaneously, increasing throughput and reducing latency[9].

* Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM): Wi-Fi 7 utilizes 4096-QAM, which permits more data per signal, whereas Wi-Fi 6 employs 1024-QAM, thus transmitting less information at once[1]. Wi-Fi 7 has 20% higher transmission rates[3].

* Latency: Wi-Fi 7 is designed to deliver lower latency than Wi-Fi 6, which is suitable for real-time applications like gaming and video conferencing[1]. Features like Multi-RU Puncturing ensure the entire channel is used efficiently, quickening the response time[1].

* Higher Density Support: Wi-Fi 7 enables better performance in environments with many connected devices, making it ideal for high-traffic settings like offices or conference venues[1][3].


Advantages for Businesses:


* Increased Speed and Efficiency: Wi-Fi 7 brings faster speeds, improved efficiency, and enhanced capacity, making it well-suited to meet the demands of modern offices that depend on cloud applications, video conferencing, and IoT devices[2].


* Reduced Latency: Wi-Fi 7 is designed to deliver even lower latency than Wi-Fi 6, making it ideal for real-time applications like gaming or video conferencing[1].


* Future-Proof Technology: Wi-Fi 7 ensures that businesses are prepared for the future of wireless technology with support for new devices and technologies[1].


* Support for High-Bandwidth Applications: Wi-Fi 7 is suited for high-bandwidth applications such as 8K video streaming, virtual reality, and massive IoT deployments[2][4].


* Improved Reliability: Wi-Fi 7's Multi-Link Operation (MLO) enables the use of multiple channels on one endpoint[4]. If one frequency range malfunctions, the device remains connected by switching to another available channel[4].


* Preamble Puncturing: Wi-Fi 7 requires preamble puncturing, which allows Wi-Fi to work around interference within a bonded channel, so the entire channel doesn’t have to be stopped[3].


By upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, businesses can handle significantly more traffic with minimal latency and buffering, resulting in improved user experiences and the ability to support more connected devices without compromising performance[2].


Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 can offer even greater improvements, especially for businesses that require top-tier performance and support for demanding applications[2].


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