According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, the new standard is expected to “see rapid adoption,” with more than 233 million devices predicted to enter the market this year alone. 

However, this is in the backdrop of most UK consumers not even sporting a kit that supports the current Wi-Fi 6E standard or the Wi-Fi 6 Release, which is even further behind in the adoption cycle. 

That hasn’t stopped Wi-Fi 7 being developed, which might be able to achieve a theoretical peak data speed of up to 46 Gbps (Gigabits per second) which is 460 times faster than a current respectable download speed of 100 Mbps (Megabits per second).

Even if the peak speeds only reach 5 or 6 Gbps due to factors like distance from access point, signal obstructions, power levels, spectrum allocations, antenna design and interference from other networks, it is still a significant jump from the existing mean network speed in Scotland of 113 Mbps in Q3 last year. 

“Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 has arrived, bringing lower latency, blazing fast speeds, determinism and high capacity to homes, enterprises and large public venues,” said Vijay Nagarajan, VP of marketing, wireless communications and connectivity division at Broadcom Inc.

Wi-Fi 7 could also enable the use of additional spectrum bands between the 1Ghz and 7GHz+ range, but will depend upon future availability and regulation. For now it’s limited to the same bands as Wi-Fi 6E (2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz).

However, a new multi-link operation allows simultaneous transmission and reception across different bands and channels. This addresses the challenge of independent links, optimising channel resources for more efficient use. 

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“The introduction of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 marks the emergence of the latest generation of Wi-Fi and will be an accelerant to mass adoption of Wi-Fi 7. This certification underscores our relentless commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that redefines the way users experience Wi-Fi, providing faster speeds, improved efficiency, and increased reliability which expand the horizons of what is possible through Wi-Fi,” said Kevin Robinson, president and CEO, Wi-Fi Alliance

In terms of adoption in the UK, early Wi-Fi 7 routers from EE (BT) are expected in the first half of 2024, other ISPs are anticipated to follow suit.

However, potential users should be aware that Wi-Fi 7’s benefits will only be realised when both routers and connected devices support the new standard. The first-generation routers and devices are likely to be costly and power-intensive, but improvements in chipsets over time will lead to more efficient and affordable options.