Organizations that are experimenting with AI recognize the demands it places on the network. Users need lightning-fast connectivity to gain the full benefits of gen AI tools and AI agents. However, many Wi-Fi networks aren’t up to the task.
In the past, Wi-Fi networks were used primarily for email and Internet access. They weren’t designed for AI, 8K video streaming and other bandwidth-hungry applications. To get the most from their AI investments and optimize the user experience, many organizations need a Wi-Fi upgrade.
Wi-Fi 7 delivers the performance organizations need today. Also known as 802.11be Extremely High Throughput, Wi-Fi 7 has a maximum theoretical speed of 46Gbps, a significant jump compared to Wi-Fi 6’s maximum speed of 9.6Gbps. Wi-Fi 7 also supports wider 320MHz channels, doubling the bandwidth available compared to Wi-Fi 6.
Blazing-fast speed and significant bandwidth aren’t the only benefits of Wi-Fi 7. It also includes other features that make it a good choice for today’s wireless environment.
Deep Dive into Wi-Fi 7
One key feature of Wi-Fi 7 is 4K-QAM, a digital modulation technique that reduces interference and increases throughput. First developed in the 1960s for microwave radio relay systems, Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) translates digital data into analog signals, creating “symbols” that represent specific groups of bits. These symbols are arranged in a constellation, with larger constellations containing more data. 4K-QAM uses 4,096 12-bit symbols, quadrupling the data rates of Wi-Fi6.
Other features are designed to reduce latency and congestion. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) allows devices to send and receive data simultaneously across different channels and frequency bands. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) divides a wide frequency band into smaller, independent sub-channels that are assigned to individual users to prevent interference.
Wi-Fi 7 Use Cases
The benefits of these technologies are most apparent in high-density spaces and large public venues. In the public sector, transit facilities, parks and community centers are good candidates for Wi-Fi 7, particularly for new construction. Wi-Fi 7 delivers on people’s expectations for strong, reliable connectivity, even in these settings.
Wi-Fi 7 is also ideal for high-density and real-time IoT applications. For example, it gives first responders and public safety personnel real-time access to surveillance video. It also supports remote healthcare, industrial automation and smart city networks.
However, Wi-Fi 7’s capabilities can also support a wide range of applications that increase efficiency, boost revenue and deliver exceptional customer experiences. In addition, upgrading now will future-proof the wireless network and enable long-term scalability.
Is Now the Time to Upgrade?
Wi-Fi upgrades often present a dilemma because the next enhancement is often on the horizon. The specification for Wi-Fi 8 is already in the works, with final approval targeted for March 2028. Wi-Fi 8 builds on the capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 with the aim of delivering consistent, low-latency connectivity for mission-critical applications.
While Wi-Fi 7 emphasizes speed, Wi-Fi 8 focuses on improving performance in congested and interference-prone environments. It prioritizes ultra-high reliability, making it suitable for applications such as industrial automation, extended reality and e-health, which require consistent and low-latency connections.
However, upcoming technologies shouldn’t be the primary driver of the upgrade decision. Organizations should upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 now if they need to reduce latency for AI and other demanding applications or support high-density IoT environments.
How Verteks Can Help
The Verteks team has extensive experience designing, implementing and supporting high-performance Wi-Fi networks. We can assess your environment to determine if you could benefit from Wi-Fi 7, and ensure that you have the right cabling, Internet connectivity and devices to fully benefit from its capabilities. We can then plan and execute the upgrade with minimal business disruption. Let us help you develop a roadmap that takes your wireless network into the future.
