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WiFi 7 – Brief definition

The WiFi standard IEEE 802.11be (WiFi 7) can achieve speeds of up to 46 Gbit/s and enables more stable WiFi connections through technological advancements.

Both at home and on the go – online connections via WiFi have become indispensable in our daily lives. The WiFi standard IEEE 802.11be, also known as WiFi 7, has been developed for higher data rates and lower latencies, especially when many devices are active simultaneously.

What is WiFi 7?

Starting in January 2024, WiFi 7 will become a reality. This is when the first devices will be certified under the new standard, also known as IEEE 802.11be.


It enables data rates of theoretically up to 23 Gbit/s – but it is primarily not characterized by a pure speed boost. Instead, WiFi 7 aims to enhance the stability of WiFi connections, especially in environments where many devices communicate simultaneously. WiFi 7 is also fully backward compatible with older standards.

The Key Innovations of WiFi 7

  • Doubled Channel Width: WiFi 7 utilizes the full potential of frequency bands, allowing for up to 320 MHz instead of the previous maximum of 160 MHz. This enables more data to be transmitted simultaneously. Additionally, WiFi 7 routers have more options to avoid interference in densely populated environments.
  • 4096-QAM Modulation: The modulation (i.e., the conversion of data into radio waves) makes a leap from the previous 10-bit to 12-bit, which also enhances performance in data transmission.
  • Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Previously, WiFi devices could switch between different frequency bands depending on load – WiFi 7 allows communication over two bands simultaneously for faster and more stable transmissions.

The WiFi Standards at a Glance

  • 802.11: The standard from 1999 achieved speeds of around 2 Mbit/s.
  • 802.11b: This extension dates back to 1999 and operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, with a maximum data rate of 11 Mbit/s.
  • 802.11g: Defined in 2003, the WiFi standard 802.11g reaches speeds of up to 54 Mbit/s in the 2.4 GHz band.
  • 802.11n: The WiFi n standard from 2009 was the first to use innovative MIMO technology, achieving a maximum speed of 600 Mbit/s in dual-band operation at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
  • 802.11ac: The WiFi standard ac (WiFi 5) has been in use since 2013, reaching maximum WiFi speeds of nearly 7 Gbit/s. The shorter transmission duration reduces energy consumption.
  • 802.11ax: The WiFi standard ax (WiFi 6) boasts transmission rates of up to 9.6 Gbit/s and multitasking features like OFDMA.
  • 802.11be: The WiFi standard be (WiFi 7) doubles the channel width to 320 MHz, utilizes the 6 GHz frequency band, 4K-QAM, and Multi-Link Operation for up to 46 Gbit/s and significantly lower latencies.


You can find more information about Wi-Fi 7 on our Technology page.