WiFi 6E vs WiFi 7: which wireless standard is right for you?

Following the launch of WiFi 6E back in 2020, tech companies are now ramping up preparations to roll out WiFi 7 across the globe. For those organisations who are still yet to upgrade to WiFi 6E, the news of the wireless standard has left them questioning whether they should simply wait to upgrade to WiFi 7.

Once again, the short answer seems to be “well, it depends on what you're looking for”. While this inconclusive answer isn’t very helpful, there are some significant differences between WiFi 6E and 7 which can be very useful for guiding decision making and understanding which wireless standard is right for you and when is a good time to make a change.

WiFi 6 has an advantage of already being in use and available. It operates in the 6 GHz frequency band, in addition to the existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, providing greater spectrum availability and less interference, which means faster data transfer speeds, improved network efficiency, and reduced latency.

On the other hand, WiFi 7 is still under development and is expected to bring significant improvements in data transfer speeds, network capacity, and reliability over WiFi 6. WiFi 7 is expected to use advanced technologies such as MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) with spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and advanced coding schemes to achieve data rates of up to 30 Gbps, which is almost three times faster than WiFi 6. WiFi 7 is also expected to offer better coverage, improved security, and reduced power consumption.

WiFi 6E is an extension of WiFi 6 that operates in the 6 GHz frequency band, in addition to the existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This new frequency band provides more available spectrum and less interference, enabling faster data transfer speeds, improved network efficiency, and reduced latency. WiFi 6E creates access to larger channel widths of up to 160 MHz, which provides more bandwidth and enables for higher data rates. With WiFi 6E, users can enjoy an even better WiFi experience with faster speeds, smoother streaming, and improved connectivity in crowded areas. However, since the 6 GHz band is currently not available in all regions, devices that support WiFi 6E may not currently be able to take full advantage of its benefits in some areas.

WiFi 7 is the next generation of wireless standards for WiFi networks, currently under development. It is expected to bring significant improvements in data transfer speeds, network capacity, and reliability over WiFi 6.

WiFi 7 will use advanced technologies such as MLO, Higher QAM (4096 QAM - 20% increase) and advanced coding schemes to achieve data rates of up to 46 Gbps, a massive step over anything WiFi 6 can achieve. This enables WiFi 7 to increase the wireless network's speed and capacity. In addition, advanced coding schemes allow the transmission of more data over the same radio frequency. 

The more advanced WiFi offering should also offer better performance, reliability, and improved security. WiFi 7 will simultaneously operate in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands and the newly available 6 GHz band, providing more available spectrum and less interference.

While it is still in development stages, WiFi 7 is expected to revolutionize wireless connectivity, providing an even better WiFi experience to users, leading some experts to use the analogy of shifting from a single lane, speed-restricted road to a multi-lane autobahn.

It's important to note that while WiFi 7 is rolling out, many devices will not be WiFi 7 compatible for years to come. Therefore, organisations must seriously consider what their networking needs are, and how their device compatibility aligns with this.

For example, in densely populated areas such as schools, airports and stadiums, the main networking challenges will inevitably be spectrum congestion. This refers to a situation where too many devices use the same frequency band, leading to interference and reduced performance. For this challenge, organisations could opt for WiFi 7, designed to address spectrum congestion by using more advanced technologies to manage network traffic more efficiently.

Those planning to upgrade their devices and require higher speeds and improved security, such as office buildings, should weigh up their current WiFi performance standards and consider whether it makes sense to wait until the widespread rollout of WiFi 7.

WiFi 6E is already a significant improvement over previous WiFi standards and offers many immediate benefits, such as faster data transfer speeds, improved network efficiency, and reduced latency. It is also compatible with older WiFi standards, ensuring that your devices will continue to work with your network. When WiFi 7 becomes available, it is expected to bring even more significant improvements in data transfer speeds, network capacity, and reliability, but it may not be necessary to upgrade immediately if your current WiFi 6E network already meets your needs and budget.

Upgrading to WiFi 7 may be more beneficial in the future when more devices support the new standard, and when there is a need for faster and more reliable connectivity. In the meantime, you can enjoy the benefits of WiFi 6E and ensure that your network is up to date with the latest technology.