siliconindia | | SEPTEMBER 20239It efficiently handles numerous connected devices using BSS Coloring to reduce co-channel interference. Wi-Fi 6 provides higher performance, increased capacity, and increased economy for contemporary homes and businesses while also being backward compatible with previous devices. As more devices adopt Wi-Fi 6, users can expect faster speeds and enhanced reliability in their wireless experiences.The Next Evolution in Wireless ConnectivityAs we enter 2023, Wi-Fi 7, also known as 802.11be, is on the horizon with several wireless routers already announced and set to launch later in the year. However, you might be wondering about the need for yet another wireless standard when Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are relatively recent. Wi-Fi technology moves swiftly, and Wi-Fi 7 brings significant improvements over its predecessors. It is designed to deliver faster transfer speeds, reduced latency, and enhanced network capacity, making it capable of handling emerging technologies like 8K video streaming and immersive extended reality (XR) applications for gaming and industry use. The good news is that Wi-Fi 7 is backward compatible with Wi-Fi 6E, 6, and 5, meaning you won't need to replace all your existing wireless devices when upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7 router. However, to fully utilize Wi-Fi 7's performance benefits, you'll need to connect with a Wi-Fi 7-compatible client.Two noteworthy advancements in Wi-Fi 7 are Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). MLO allows Wi-Fi 7 routers to connect to Wi-Fi 7 clients across multiple bands and channels simultaneously, providing lower latency and increased data rates. Wi-Fi 7 also doubles the MU-MIMO streams from eight to 16, further enhancing performance for multiple clients accessing the wireless access point. Wi-Fi 7 supports 4K QAM, offering a 20 Percentage increase in throughput compared to Wi-Fi 6E's 1024 QAM. Moreover, Wi-Fi 7 introduces wider 320Hz channels in the 6GHz band, doubling the available bandwidth compared to Wi-Fi 6E's 160MHz channels. This enables higher data transmission rates and improved load balancing across bands, making Wi-Fi 7 an exciting advancement in the world of wireless connectivity.Especially in India, the Digital India program emphasizing on digital connectivity, software and services on demand, and digital empowerment of citizens has a great hand in augmenting the demand for the proliferation of network connectivity in the region. With the growth of mobile telephony, 4G coverage, reduced data tariffs, and increased smartphone usage, digital connectivity has improved significantly. To address the rising data demand and bridge the digital divide in rural and economically disadvantaged areas, the Telecom Regulator of India introduced PM-WANI, a plan to establish affordable and interoperable public Wi-Fi hotspots (PDOs). Despite initial opposition, PM-WANI was approved in 2020, leading to the installation of over 1.5 lakh hotspots, benefiting millions of users. It empowers communities, fosters nano entrepreneurs, and offers a business opportunity for aggregators without additional licensing fees. By leveraging underutilized infrastructure, PM-WANI holds the potential to accelerate digital empowerment, paralleling the impact of UPI and other DPIs in transforming the digital landscape. Precisely, PM-WANI is expected to be a game changer for connectivity space in India.ClosureWi-Fi has evolved significantly from its initial role of providing internet connectivity to becoming an indispensable pillar of modern society. It has empowered individuals and businesses, facilitating seamless communication and unlocking endless possibilities. With the imminent arrival of Wi-Fi 7, the future of wireless connectivity holds even greater promise, offering faster speeds, reduced latency, and improved performance for all our connected devices. Further, as technology continues to advance, Wi-Fi will undoubtedly keep pace, ensuring that we remain connected, productive, and well-informed in the dynamic digital world.
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