As we transition from Wi-Fi 6 to the more advanced Wi-Fi 7, we uncover the significant enhancements in speed, efficiency, and spectrum usage that set it apart from its predecessors.
Rodrigues examines the crucial role of AI and machine learning in the evolution of Wi-Fi technology, focusing on network management, user experience, and security.
The interview navigates through the intricacies of the Wi-Fi 7 technology, its integration with cellular networks, and the future of seamless connectivity.
Based on the IEEE 802.11be standard, Wi-Fi 7 is faster and more spectrum efficient than every previous Wi-Fi generation.
Wi-Fi 7 is three times faster than Wi-Fi 6 because it supports 4K QAM and channel widths up to 320 MHz versus 160 MHz for Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6.
These upgrades make it ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications such as gigabit Wi-Fi in homes with multiple devices streaming HD or 4K video simultaneously.
Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7 topped the list of wireless technologies that network operators, ISPs, device and chipset vendors, enterprises and other companies plan to deploy by the end of 2024, in our latest cross-industry report.
Confidence in investment across the sector is rising with 58% saying they are more confident in investing in Wi-Fi compared to a year ago.
Wi-Fi 7 will enable consumer, enterprise, Industry 4.0, medical, smart city and other applications that are impractical or impossible with other wired and wireless technologies, providing twice the bandwidth of Wi-Fi 6 and providing features such as deterministic network support.
Wi-Fi 7 devices can use multi-link operation in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands to increase throughput by aggregating multiple links or to quickly move critical applications to the optimal band using seamless switching between links.
Fast link switching allows Wi-Fi 7 devices to avoid interference and access Wi-Fi channels without delaying critical traffic.
Convergence across technologies will progress enabling access to private and/or public 5G services over Wi-Fi. We expect network executives will continue deploying Wi-Fi and cellular in the coming years, with Wi-Fi 6E/7 for indoor, on-campus, and fixed network situations and 5G/cellular for outdoor, off-campus, and fast-mobility environments.
Rather than competing with 5G over emerging high-performance use cases, the Wi-Fi community continues to work on coexistence with 5G, especially around identity management, authentication, and policy management.
Naturally there are challenges with achieving seamless connectivity between 5G & Wi-Fi. A lot of industry alignment is needed to enable frictionless movement between networks, across technologies, vendors, and areas such as authentication, QoS, QoE and security.
The use of heterogeneous networks that take advantage of Wi-Fi and Private-Public cellular networks will lower CAPEX and OPEX costs whilst enable the development of new services that span multiple Radio Access Networks.
Features such as MLO make it likely that Wi-Fi 7 will be the generation leveraging existing resources to deliver the best experience.
The WBA is actively collaborating with its members to conduct field trials of these technologies in real-life Wi-Fi 7 networks.
These trials are open to all interested industry players and are a crucial platform for mobile device and AP vendors, operators, and service providers to collectively test Wi-Fi 7 capabilities in key deployments scenarios.
In these trials, participants will gain invaluable hands-on, real-world insights into deploying Wi-Fi 7 across operator, residential, and enterprise networks.
As with its Wi-Fi 6 trials, the WBA will share comprehensive reports that offer indispensable knowledge and serve as a reference for industry stakeholders, that will also assist those looking to upgrade their infrastructure.
This Cyber News was published on www.helpnetsecurity.com. Publication date: Tue, 02 Jan 2024 04:58:05 +0000