Context
In October 2023 U.S. based company Qualcomm suggested that India should adopt the newest Wi-Fi 7 technology.
About Wi-Fi 7
- Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, is a wireless technology that enables devices to connect to the internet and communicate with each other.
- The device utilizes radio waves to offer high-speed wireless internet and network connections.
- The transmission of Wi-Fi signals requires three mediums: a base station, a router, and accessing devices (Eg. Laptop).
- Wi-Fi 7 is set to launch as the next-generation Wi-Fi standard, based on IEEE 802.11be, which is known for its extremely high throughput (EHT).
- The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the largest technical professional organization globally dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.
Key Features of Wi-Fi 7
- Lower Latency: This facilitates faster cloud-based operations such as file transfers and gaming.
- Multi-Link Operation (MLO): The system combines multiple channels on different frequencies to enhance network performance.
- Speed and Capacity: Wi-Fi 7 can theoretically support a bandwidth of up to 330 Gigabits per second per access point, four times faster than Wi-Fi 6.
- Backward Compatibility: The device connects to devices in 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands without the need for new hardware.
- The solution will not be limited to a single frequency but will utilize a mix of available spectrum frequencies.
Benefits of Wi-Fi 7
- Augmenting User Experiences: Wi-Fi 7 is capable of enabling the streaming of high-resolution content, including 8K videos.
- The technology could also improve performance in cloud gaming, AR/VR, and other data-intensive activities.
- Medicinal Field: Tele-diagnostics and tele-surgery are two innovative medical technologies that allow for remote healthcare services.
- Addressing emerging technologies demands: Wi-Fi 7 has the potential to accommodate the increasing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, including smart home devices, wearables, and industrial IoT applications.
- Promising Developments in India: The enterprise sector is undergoing digital transformation, with fixed wireless connectivity, smartphone technology, and the potential of Artificial Intelligence, particularly Edge AI, playing a significant role.
- Alignment with India's Tech Adoption: Wi-Fi 7 facilitates India's swift adoption of cloud-based and wireless applications, promoting the government's digital initiatives for security and privacy.
