Wireless connectivity is at the heart of our daily lives, whether for work, entertainment or communication. As technology continues to evolve, WiFi plays an essential role in the way we connect to the world around us. The next generations of WiFi, including WiFi 6/6E and WiFi 7, promise to bring significant improvements in terms of speed, capacity and reliability. Let’s take a closer look at the trends and predictions that will define these developments.
Wifi 6: The Era of High Efficiency
Wifi 6, also known as 802.11ax, is already being deployed on many devices and routers. It brings considerable improvements over its predecessor, Wifi 5 (802.11ac). The main trends associated with Wifi 6 include :
1. Increased transmission speed :
Wifi 6 offers a higher maximum transmission speed, enabling faster, smoother connections, ideal for bandwidth-hungry applications such as virtual reality and online gaming.
2. Optimised management of dense networks :
A key feature of Wifi 6 is its ability to effectively manage densely populated environments, such as city centres, offices and stadiums, by reducing interference.
3. Energy efficiency :
Wifi 6 introduces technologies to improve energy efficiency, which can extend the battery life of connected devices.
Wifi 6E: Extension to 6 GHz frequency
Wifi 6E extends the capabilities of Wifi 6 by exploiting the 6 GHz frequency band, offering more available channels for faster, less congested wireless connections. Trends associated with Wifi 6E include:
1. Widely available on new devices:
Devices with Wifi 6E capability are becoming increasingly common, driving adoption of the technology and offering an enhanced connectivity experience.
2. Additional bandwidth :
Using the 6 GHz band provides additional bandwidth, improving network capacity for ultra-fast, seamless connectivity.
3. Advantages for bandwidth-hungry applications :
Applications requiring high bandwidth, such as streaming video in ultra high definition and downloading large files, benefit particularly from Wifi 6E.
Wifi 7: The Next Frontier of Wireless Connectivity
While Wifi 6 and Wifi 6E continue to spread, the first discussions on Wifi 7 have already begun.
New challenges
The need for Wifi 7 capacity will be accentuated by the evolution of gaming and immersive experiences. According to a recent report by Bain&Company, the video games industry is growing by leaps and bounds, driven by the exceptional engagement of young teenagers, who spend around 40% more time in video game environments than in any other form of media. According to the report’s precise forecasts, global video game revenues could increase by 50% over the next five years. In an industry where every millisecond counts, network infrastructure will play as crucial a role as the speed of the gaming platform.
Wifi 7 will become essential for near-zero speed and latency performance, enabling game developers to push the boundaries with even more immersive experiences. Wifi 7-enabled client devices have already been introduced in 2023 using a Qualcomm chipset, with more to come in 2024.
Although full specifications are yet to be defined, some trends are emerging:
1. Even higher speeds :
Wifi 7 is expected to push the limits of transmission speed, paving the way for even faster online experiences and instant connectivity.
2. Reduced latency :
A significant reduction in latency could be one of the key features of Wifi 7, improving the responsiveness of real-time applications such as online gaming and video communications.
3. Compatibility with New Applications :
Wifi 7 could be designed to support new emerging applications, such as large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) and augmented reality technologies.
In conclusion, Wifi 6, Wifi 6E and Wifi 7 mark a significant evolution in wireless connectivity. While Wifi 6 and Wifi 6E offer tangible improvements now, Wifi 7 represents the next frontier of innovation, promising even higher speeds, reduced latency and greater compatibility with tomorrow’s applications. Wireless connectivity thus continues to play a crucial role in the way we interact with the ever-changing digital world.
