Wi-Fi 7: What You Need to Know

Written by Tom Batchelor, Product Manager - Network and Security at North

IEEE802.11be, commonly known as Wi-Fi 7, is the next-generation Wi-Fi standard, designed to deliver ultra-fast speeds and improved efficiency. By leveraging ultra-wide channels combined with multi-gigabit backhaul, it promises to provide low latency, enhanced data transmission speeds and improved reliability.

For Wi-Fi first organisations, Wi-Fi 7 offers greater flexibility, cost-efficiency, and scalability, and ultimately enhances the overall customer experience. However, as with any emerging technology, it does come with limitations, which may take time to overcome.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the key factors to consider when planning an upgrade or new deployment.

Device Compatibility

Wi-Fi 7 is not backwards compatible with older Wi-Fi standards beyond the most basic functionalities. To take full advantage of the speed and enhanced features it offers, you’ll need Wi-Fi 7-enabled devices. This limits the widespread adoption currently, as many users are still using older devices that don’t support the new standard.

Range & Signal Interference

Wi-Fi 7 operates in the 6GHz frequency band in addition to the traditional 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. While 6GHz offers wider channels (up to 320MHz), which improves speeds, it suffers from poor propagation and shorter range compared to lower frequencies. Higher frequencies have more difficulty penetrating walls, obstacles, and other barriers, meaning coverage might be more limited at longer distances. So, an in-depth wireless survey must be carried out, to mitigate such issues.

Network Infrastructure

To support Wi-Fi 7’s full potential, your network infrastructure routers, switches, and structured cabling will all need to support multi-gigabit ports (2.5Gbps, 5Gbps, or 10Gbps), especially when connecting multiple Wi-Fi 7 access points. Network devices that support Power over Ethernet (POE++) are necessary to meet the power requirements of Wi-Fi 7 access points, as these need substantially more power than previous iterations, especially with advanced features like multi-radio configurations.

Power Over Ethernet

PoE technology is often used to provide power to Wi-Fi access points through the same ethernet cable used for data. Wi-Fi 7 devices may need PoE++ (IEEE802.3bt) for power delivery, which supports up to 60W or 100W per port, depending on the device. If the cabling and switches do not support PoE++ or are limited to lower power standards, this could restrict the capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 deployment.

Cabling Infrastructure

Traditional ethernet cables like Cat5e or Cat6 are suitable for lower speeds but will not be able to support the full potential of Wi-Fi 7. To support higher speeds, especially in setups requiring 10Gbps or more (such as Wi-Fi 7 access points), Cat6a, Cat7, or Cat8 cables will be necessary. These can support 10Gbps and 25Gbps+ speeds. Additional considerations including cabling run length, diameter and earthing may also present challenges.

Device Congestion & Network Traffic

With so many devices demanding bandwidth (from smartphones to IoT gadgets), Wi-Fi 7 will still face challenges in terms of managing congestion in highly populated environments. Even with its advanced multi-link technology, network traffic could still impact performance, especially in areas with many active devices.

Security & Encryption Requirements

The use of multiple links and frequency channels for Wi-Fi 7 networks can raise concerns about data security during transmission. Managing encryption across multiple paths and ensuring that all links remain secure may add a layer of complexity for network administrators. This will need stronger security measures, such as WPA3, to prevent unauthorised access and protect sensitive data. This may require your network infrastructure to be upgraded to support newer, more secure encryption methods and policies.

Conclusion

While Wi-Fi 7 brings exciting advancements in wireless connectivity, it still has limitations. As the technology evolves, ongoing updates and improvements will help address these challenges. However, it may take time for its full potential to be realised across all devices and networks. If you're considering upgrading to Wi-Fi 7, conducting a thorough wireless survey will help to optimise performance.

Contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our wireless network experts.