What is Wi-Fi 7?

Businesses managing growing networks or relying on high-bandwidth applications may want to stay informed about Wi-Fi 7 due to its potential to impact future networking decisions.

As the demand for faster, more reliable wireless technology continues to rise, understanding the features and capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 will help you assess whether it fits your organization's evolving needs down the line.

What you’ll learn:

• A proper definition of Wi-Fi 7
• How and why it’s better than previous generations
• What you can expect from a Wi-Fi 7 compatible access point
• The best time to upgrade your Wi-Fi infrastructure
• How Meter can simplify the entire process for your business

What is Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7, or IEEE 802.11be, is the next big leap in wireless networking, promising faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced capacity. It's designed to handle the demands of an increasingly connected world, with better support for high-definition streaming, VR, AR, and other data-heavy applications.

The new Wi-Fi 7 offers significant improvements over its predecessors:

• Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Devices can connect to multiple frequency bands simultaneously with MLO, cutting down interference and increasing speed. However, the trade-off is higher power consumption, which can make it less suitable for mobile devices.
• 4096-QAM: Wi-Fi 7 introduces 4096-QAM, an advanced modulation technique that transmits more data in the same amount of time compared to the 1024-QAM used in Wi-Fi 6. This leads to higher overall speeds.
• 320 MHz channels: Wi-Fi 7 offers channel widths up to 320 MHz, twice the capacity of Wi-Fi 6. Wider bandwidth enables the transfer of more data at once, boosting both speed and network capacity.
• Target Wake Time (TWT): Wi-Fi 7 supports Restricted Target Wake Time (R-TWT), which helps optimize power usage for devices by allowing more precise scheduling for sending and receiving data. This helps to reduce power usage and extends battery life, particularly for IoT devices.

Important benefits of a Wi-Fi 7 upgrade

Wi-Fi 7’s speed is the headline feature. The maximum theoretical speed of 46.1 Gbps is a jaw-dropping figure, but in practice, users won’t see that kind of performance under typical conditions. However, Wi-Fi 7 will still offer significant improvements in real-world scenarios. Wi-Fi 7’s ability to deliver faster speeds and lower lagtimes will be a game-changer, especially for cloud-based platforms that rely heavily on stable, high-speed connections.

Wi-Fi 7 makes 8K streaming easier to achieve. Wi-Fi 7’s high speed and low latency make it perfect for 8K streaming, which requires a tremendous amount of bandwidth. With this technology, buffering times are reduced, and streaming in ultra-high-definition becomes a seamless experience.

It simplifies the use of VR/AR applications. Virtual and augmented reality are notoriously data-heavy, with high requirements for bandwidth and low latency. Wi-Fi 7 can handle these applications more smoothly, reducing lag and improving the overall experience.

How is Wi-Fi 7 better than previous generations?

Wi-Fi 7 introduces 10 Gbps ports. As Wi-Fi access points become capable of true multi-gig speeds, many of them will feature 10 Gbps ports. An increase in speed potential allows for faster connections, but only if your Internet service plan is upgraded to a multi-gig option.

Modulation enters its 4096-QAM era. Wi-Fi 7 utilizes 4096-QAM, a modulation technique that can transmit far more data over the airwaves compared to the 1024-QAM used in Wi-Fi 6. Higher speeds become possible with Wi-Fi 7-capable devices, thanks to the increased data transmission rate.

Bonded channels just got bigger. Wi-Fi 7 supports channels up to 320 MHz wide, double what Wi-Fi 6E offers. Such a wider bandwidth allows more data to pass through at once, further increasing speed.

Reap the benefits of many spatial streams. Some Wi-Fi 7 devices may support up to 16 spatial streams, which allows more simultaneous connections. With these devices, you can support eight client devices at full speed or sixteen at half speed.

That said, to get the promised theoretical rate of 46.1 Gbps, you’d need to run 16 streams simultaneously on the 6 GHz band on a 320 MHz bonded channel—something that is highly impractical for typical use cases.

Wi-Fi 7 reduces interference

Three new radar-free 5 GHz channels improve performance on the 5 GHz band. Historically, radar interference has limited the number of usable channels, with radar occupying 18 out of 28 available channels.

Wi-Fi 7 can better utilize available 5 GHz channels, but the introduction of new radar-free channels isn’t a direct benefit of Wi-Fi 7. Radar interference issues in the 5 GHz band remain, and careful planning of channel usage is still needed.

The new 6 GHz is officially here. While Wi-Fi 6E introduced the 6 GHz band, many manufacturers did not make their devices compatible. Wi-Fi 7 changes this, with more devices connecting to this ultra-wide spectrum.

The added capacity and reduced interference translate to improved speeds. Although 160 MHz and 320 MHz bonded channels offer great potential, real-world usage may still face interference challenges.

Connect to all three bands at once. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) allows Wi-Fi 7 devices to connect to two or three frequency bands simultaneously. This enhances speed and reduces interference but increases power consumption, which may make it less suitable for mobile devices and laptops.

Wi-Fi 7 can save you power

Optimize power usage with Restricted Target Wake Time (R-TWT). R-TWT builds on Wi-Fi 6's TWT feature, allowing for better resource management for latency-sensitive traffic. It helps reduce power consumption on Wi-Fi 7 access points, provided MLO is not in use, and network settings are adjusted accordingly.

What to expect from a Wi-Fi 7 access point

When upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7 access point, businesses may find the benefits less immediate than expected. Although Wi-Fi 7 access points are designed to deliver faster speeds and enhanced performance, the real advantages—such as multi-gigabit speeds and advanced bandwidth management—depend heavily on the availability of Wi-Fi 7-compatible client devices. 

Without widespread support from client devices, the capabilities of a Wi-Fi 7 access point could remain underutilized.

The increased capacity, improved traffic management, and stronger security features sound promising, but many businesses won't see substantial performance gains until more Wi-Fi 7-enabled devices enter the market. For those relying on existing devices that support earlier standards like Wi-Fi 6, the upgrade might not offer enough immediate improvements to justify the investment.

Additionally, Wi-Fi 7 access points can support up to 16 spatial streams and offer Multi-Link Operation (MLO), but most client devices in use today aren't equipped to handle these advanced features. This could lead to overestimating the benefits of the upgrade, especially in environments with a mix of legacy devices.

Businesses should critically assess their current infrastructure and device compatibility before investing in Wi-Fi 7 access points. For some, waiting until Wi-Fi 7 becomes more widely supported by client devices may be the more cost-effective and practical approach.

When should you upgrade to Wi-Fi 7?

We recommend you ask yourself a few questions:

1. How long should you wait to upgrade?

Early adopters in industries that rely heavily on cutting-edge technology like AR/VR or ultra-high bandwidth applications might find some value in upgrading within 3 to 6 months of Wi-Fi 7 routers and compatible devices becoming widely available. However, for most businesses, especially those not pushing the limits of their current network, the immediate advantages of Wi-Fi 7 may be minimal.

Given that Wi-Fi 7-compatible devices will take time to become mainstream, upgrading too early could result in investing in capabilities that won't be fully utilized. Delaying adoption for 12 months or longer, until the technology matures and more devices support it, may allow for a more cost-effective and impactful upgrade.

2. Do you have the resources for a full refresh of access points?

Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 requires replacing older access points and hardware to leverage the new technology. Assess whether your IT team has the bandwidth to implement this upgrade and whether your budget can handle the expense. If resources are tight, you may want to stagger upgrades over time.

3. Are you ready for infrastructure changes?

Wi-Fi 7 access points will require network-wide adjustments, including switches and firewalls, to support faster speeds and higher bandwidth. If your current infrastructure isn’t ready, consider whether you are prepared for the time and investment needed to upgrade these critical components.

4. Does your ISP support multi-gig speeds?

Wi-Fi 7 offers multi-gig speeds, but to take advantage of them, your Internet connection speed will likely need to be increased dramatically. If your ISP doesn’t support multi-gig Internet, upgrading your Wi-Fi likely won’t deliver the performance boost you expect. Also, check whether you’re ready to pay for higher-speed packages that could increase monthly costs.

5. How many of your devices are Wi-Fi 7 capable?

Check what percentage of your existing client devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.) support Wi-Fi 7. Inevitably, the bulk of your devices will still be on older standards, and upgrading the network alone likely won’t offer immediate benefits.

6. Are you ready to manage the learning curve with new access points?

Brand-new Wi-Fi 7 access points may come with challenges, including potential troubleshooting issues as the technology is still fresh. Consider your support needs and whether you have the internal expertise or external vendor support to handle these challenges effectively.

7. How many vendors offer Wi-Fi 7 access points?

Currently, Wi-Fi 7 access points are just entering the market, so availability may be limited. Vendors who offer these devices might not have enough real-world usage data yet. Waiting until the hardware has been tested extensively by other businesses could be a safer strategy before fully committing to an upgrade.

Simplify Wi-Fi 7 upgrades with Meter 

Meter handles all aspects of your network's lifecycle management through a comprehensive service offered under one monthly subscription. If you get Meter’s Network as a Service (NaaS) solution, then all your network hardware upgrades are managed for you. When Meter introduces Wi-Fi 7 access points to its line-up in Spring 2025, Meter will upgrade them automatically for customers.

Meter currently offers Wi-Fi 6, providing fast and reliable connectivity for today’s demands. As the standard transitions to Wi-Fi 7, Meter will ensure your network is fully upgraded, managing the installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance. We free up your IT team to focus on other strategic initiatives rather than network management.

Key features of Meter's NaaS:

• Complete network management: Meter oversees everything from network design and installation to monitoring and support, reducing the workload for internal IT teams.
• Automatic hardware upgrades: When Meter releases its Wi-Fi 7 access points, Meter will upgrade your hardware.
• Proactive issue resolution: Support resolves most issues within 24 hours, minimizing disruptions and ensuring network reliability without constant IT involvement.
• Predictable monthly billing: All services are included in one clear monthly subscription, avoiding unexpected costs and simplifying budget management.
• Scalability: Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Meter’s solution grows with you, adjusting to your network needs over time.

Interested in learning more? Reach out to get a demo.