WiFi 6 routers are beginning to reach homes while the newer WiFi 6E access points have barely hit the market. Even so, MediaTek is already preparing for the launch of WiFi 7.
Nowadays, wireless networks have become one of the favorite methods of many users to access the Internet from their smartphones, computers, tablets or from any other connected device such as smart speakers, household appliances or televisions. WiFi 7 arrives with promises of even faster speeds than WiFi 6.
WiFi 7 at CES 2022
MediaTek has announced that it will begin demonstrating WiFi 7 at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in early January. The CES is a digital innovation fair in which the latest news and advances in the technological world are presented annually. The new wireless connection standard augurs and promises higher speeds than those that WiFi 6 or WiFi 5 can offer us.
WiFi 7 will also be known under the 802.11be nomenclature and Mediatek has stated that it is expected to deliver 2.4 times faster than its predecessor with less latency, according to company documents published in PCMag .
WiFi 6 the biggest update in 10 years
The launch of WiFi 6 has been considered one of the biggest WiFi updates in a decade. For its part, the technological standard that underpins the new WiFi 6E promised faster speeds, lower latency and congestion, and more security. The standard speeds supported are close to 10 Gbps , as long as the broadband connection is capable of handling it.
Although browsing with faster speeds, higher bandwidth and lower latency can be very attractive for households that want to enjoy 4K content or frequent video games and streaming broadcasts, the new WiFi 7 protocol could have a considerable cost . Mesh networks that support WiFi 6 are already expensive. As a reference, the Orbi mesh network for a whole WiFi 6E home from Netgear is around 1,300 euros . In contrast, WiFi 5-equipped routers with a Vilo mesh system start at around $ 20 for the router just and $ 50 for a whole-home network. Mesh networks and WiFi 7 access points will be priced higher and, for example, not every US home will be able to take full advantage of the speeds.
Although WiFi 7 arrives at CES 2022 at the beginning of the year, this new wireless transmission standard corresponding to WiFi 802.11be could take years to reach home routers, smartphones, tablets and other connected devices. According to IEEE, the governing body for WiFi standards, the 802.11be standard will be published in 2024 and commercial implementation will take place shortly thereafter.
