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What Is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi, short for Wireless Fidelity, is a family of wireless network protocols based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. It allows devices like computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, wearables and even home appliances to connect to the internet and communicate wirelessly.

Wi-Fi operates using radio waves, primarily in the 2.4 GHz (gigahertz) and 5 GHz frequency bands, though newer standards include the 6 GHz band. This technology’s appeal lies in its ability to provide flexible and convenient internet access without physical cables. Wi-Fi’s prevalence and continual advancements have made it a fundamental component of modern life, supporting both personal and professional connectivity needs.

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The Birth of Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11 (1997) — Wi-Fi 0

Wi-Fi began in 1997 with the IEEE 802.11 standard, developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). This initial standard offered a maximum data rate of 2 Mbps (megabits per second) in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Though slow by today’s standards, it was revolutionary, providing a glimpse into a wirelessly connected future.

Wi-Fi Takes Off: IEEE 802.11b (1999) — Wi-Fi 1

In 1999, the IEEE released the 802.11b standard, increasing the maximum data rate to 11 Mbps, still within the 2.4 GHz band. This enhancement made Wi-Fi practical for home and business use due to the increase in speed, and its widespread adoption which helped establish Wi-Fi as a mainstream technology. The same year, Apple introduced the first consumer products with Wi-Fi connectivity, the AirPort wireless base station, and the iBook, marking Wi-Fi’s commercial breakthrough.

The 802.11b standard was the first one to see massive adoption in consumer devices, so it was the first one where some of the shortcomings of early 802.11 protocols became obvious. The 2.4 GHz band is used by various other devices, from Bluetooth devices to microwave ovens, so early 802.11b Wi-Fi devices suffered from interference.  802.11b networks were the first ones that could accumulate enough devices, so congestion started to be a real problem.

That’s not to say it was a “bad” standard, it was the first popular standard and continued to be popular for a very long time. It’s just that many of the problems that the Wi-Fi Alliance and IEEE tried to solve in later standards were first exposed by 802.11b.

Faster and Better: IEEE 802.11a (1999) — Wi-Fi 2

1999 was a good year for Wi-Fi.

Simultaneously with 802.11b, the IEEE introduced the 802.11a standard, operating in the 5 GHz frequency band and offering a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps. This standard, unlike Wi-Fi 1 and Wi-Fi 2, was the first to have a multi-carrier modulation scheme (which divides data across multiple carrier frequencies, enhancing robustness and efficiency) that allowed for higher data rates and reduced interference from other devices. Although less popular in the consumer market due to higher costs and shorter range, it was widely adopted in the enterprise sector and 802.11a was the quintessential corporate wireless standard for a very long time.

Combining the Best: IEEE 802.11g (2003) — Wi-Fi 3

The next major milestone came with the release of the 802.11g standard, in 2003, which combined the best features of 802.11a and 802.11b. It provided a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps while operating in the 2.4 GHz band, providing higher speeds without sacrificing the range and compatibility of 802.11b. Better yet, 2.4 GHz devices were more affordable than their 5 GHz counterparts. Naturally, this led to widespread adoption in homes and businesses due to its balance of speed and affordability, so 2003 became the year when Wi-Fi started to become a commodity, and a common occurrence everywhere.

Entering the Modern Era: IEEE 802.11n (2009) — Wi-Fi 4

Introduced in 2009, the 802.11n standard, or Wi-Fi 4, represented a significant leap forward. Operating on both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, it brought improvements in speed, range, and reliability. Key features included Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) technology, which allowed multiple antennas to transmit and receive data simultaneously, increasing the maximum data rate to 600 Mbps and enhancing performance in environments with multiple devices. More importantly, MIMO reduced operational costs, so Wi-Fi became commonplace in organisational, commercial, and residential settings.

The Era of Gigabit Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11ac (2013) — Wi-Fi 5

The 802.11ac standard, or Wi-Fi 5, introduced in 2013, marked the beginning of gigabit speeds. Operating exclusively in the 5 GHz band, it featured wider channel bandwidths, (up to 160 MHz), higher order modulation, and more MIMO streams, achieving maximum theoretical data rates of 3.5 Gbps and beyond. This made it ideal for high-bandwidth applications like video streaming and online gaming.

The Wi-Fi Renaissance: IEEE 802.11ax (2021) — Wi-Fi 6

Released in 2021, the 802.11ax standard, or Wi-Fi 6, marked another transformative step in wireless networking, focused on improving efficiency, capacity, and performance in crowded environments. 

Key features included:

  • Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) which allowed multiple devices to share the same channel with less interference, which was particularly relevant for high-density networks, i.e. those with a lot of devices.
  • Target Wake Time (TWT), which improved battery life for connected devices.
  • Support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, with a maximum theoretical data rate of 9.6 Gbps. 

Wi-Fi 6 addresses the growing issue of Wi-Fi congestion. In concert venues, stadiums, and large public gatherings, even in our homes and offices, routers must now communicate with an ever-growing number of devices. From wearables and multiple smartphones to smart home appliances, everything is connected to the network.

Wi-Fi 6 is designed to tackle this challenge head-on. It allows us to connect more devices without a performance downgrade and without losing speed. Whether you’re streaming a movie, video conferencing, or just browsing the web, Wi-Fi 6 ensures a seamless and efficient experience.

The Next Generation: IEEE 802.11be (2023-2024) — Wi-Fi 7

The 802.11be standard, or Wi-Fi 7, promises to push the boundaries of wireless networking even further, with unprecedented speeds, reduced latency, and enhanced reliability. 

While Wi-Fi 7 was officially adopted in early 2024 and device manufacturers can certify their products for this new standard, widespread adoption is still pending.

Expected advancements include:

  • The use of 320 MHz channel bandwidth. 
  • Higher order modulation, which means higher throughput, that alone results in a 20% improvement over Wi-Fi 6.
  • Multi-link operation (MLO) which allows devices to connect simultaneously to multiple frequency bands and significantly reduces latency. This feature is directly relevant to IoT (Internet of Things), as well as AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality) applications.

These improvements could enable maximum theoretical data rates of up to 40 Gbps, making Wi-Fi 7 suitable for applications like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and ultra-high-definition video streaming.

 

Wi-Fi 6 Versus Wi-Fi 7 — Do You Need to Upgrade?

Early adopters may be eager to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7, but for most, the benefits depend on your specific needs. Wi-Fi 7 offers a more reliable connection, better speeds, and supports more devices. However, to fully benefit, all network devices must be Wi-Fi 7 compatible (look for the Wi-Fi 7-certified logo when purchasing a new device), which may require a significant investment.

Since Wi-Fi 7 hasn’t been adopted at a large scale at the time of writing (Oct 2024), it can be hard to find certified devices. To reap all the benefits, you need all the devices in your network to be compatible with this standard from the router to the individual gadgets.

In other words, you would need to change your entire infrastructure to reap the full benefits. Even though Wi-Fi 6 devices are compatible with Wi-Fi 7 routers, they won’t get the full speed and lower latency of the newer standard.

You may have guessed this already: it won’t be a cheap transition. Most certified devices come at a premium. Plus, a lot of the manufacturers have rushed into adding Wi-Fi 7 stickers to their devices, even though they are not certified and even though they know it’s risky.

Take extra caution when shopping for Wi-Fi 7 equipment. Only buy products that are certified and avoid those that use vague marketing terms, like “Wi-Fi 7 ready” or “Wi-Fi 7 enabled”.

Lastly, please remember that every brand-new technology is a gamble when it comes to stability and performance.

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Two Questions to Ask Yourself Before Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7

  1. Do you have many devices that would benefit from an upgrade? If your network includes multiple high-definition streaming devices, cloud gaming, or AR/VR applications, upgrading may be worthwhile. For standard office activities, Wi-Fi 6 remains sufficient.
  2. Do you have the budget for the upgrade? Upgrading involves costs for new certified devices and infrastructure. Evaluate whether the potential productivity gains justify the expense.

Wrapping Things Up

The evolution of Wi-Fi standards is a testament to our rapid technological advancements. As we marvel at Wi-Fi 7’s capabilities, the IEEE is already working on the next standard.
Stay tuned for future updates as wireless technology continues to evolve.