What does the new WLAN standard bring?

The latest wireless networking standards were introduced at the CES electronics trade show Wi-Fi 7 adopted. But what does this actually mean for end users? We have collected the most important questions and answers.

What is the difference between IEEE 802.11be and Wi-Fi 7?
Basically nouns refer IEEE 802.11b And Wi-Fi 7 uses the same technology. 802.11 stands for WLAN, and various further developments are described in the letters that follow. Wi-Fi 6 is around 802.11ax, and Wi-Fi 7 is 802.11be.

Wi-Fi labels are Marketing terminology. Created by Wi-Fi Alliance. This is a consortium of several companies that produce WLAN-enabled devices. The most prominent members of the Wi-Fi Alliance include: Apple, Microsoft And Intel Corporation. Their goal is to be able to categorize new technology in a more consumer-friendly way through simplified names. The “Wi-Fi 7 Certified” seal also ensures maximum compatibility between different manufacturers.

There are also devices that support IEEE 802.11be without being “Wi-Fi 7 certified.” These include, for example: Now the router from Asus, TP link or linksys on me. As well as mobile phones, such as Google Pixel 8, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Xiaomi 13T You have 802.11be on board. If you're planning to buy a new router or computer in the medium term, you should make sure it supports Wi-Fi 7 for maximum security in the future. Ideally, the “Wi-Fi 7 Certified” logo can be found somewhere in the technical specifications or on the packaging.

Will my old WiFi devices still work?
Yes, Wi-Fi 7 or the underlying technology, just like previous standards, Compatible with previous generation. This means that the new routers will also work with older mobile phones and computers that don't have Wi-Fi 7. On the contrary. It is then simply “downgraded” to an older level.

The new technology will only work if both devices support IEEE 802.11be or Wi-Fi 7. Only then can you enjoy the technical innovations and advantages.

Is Wi-Fi 7 much faster?
Yes, clearly. The focus of further developments is speed. Wi-Fi 7 can accommodate up to 30 Gbps to reach. 3 GB of data can be transferred in less than a second. At the same time, it should Response timeThat is, the delay in sending data will be much less. This is especially important for online gaming.

To contact him Internet But this speed is of no use at the moment. The fastest Internet connections widely available today only manage the maximum of One gigabit per second. If the data is being transmitted within a facility, for example, on a company internal network, you can certainly benefit from the increased data rate.

What else does Wi-Fi 7 bring?
Other innovations include channel offerings of up to 320MHz at 6GHz. According to manufacturers, this also results in higher data transfer rates and more efficient transfers. In addition, the new WLAN standard should also be implemented thanks to various measures More energy saving He is.

As an individual, will I notice any difference at all with Wi-Fi 7?
maybe yes. Wi-Fi 7 could have an impact on the general public elsewhere. This is the new standard Less susceptible to disruption. This is especially important today because, as we mentioned at the beginning, there are more devices around us than ever before. This also means that the frequencies used are slowly becoming narrow.

Since Wi-Fi 6E, WLAN has been broadcasting alongside frequencies 2.4 And 5GHz On too 6GHz. Wi-Fi 7 is now the first standard that can establish and maintain multiple connections simultaneously across different frequencies (Multi-link operation – MLO). Especially if you're using a WiFi connection with many other people at the same time – for example in the office or at an event – this can provide significantly better connections.

So should I buy a Wi-Fi 7 router now?
Despite the advantages of Wi-Fi 7, you don't have to rush to your trusted electronics retailer and get a new router right away. In order to use the standard, in addition to the router, peripheral devices such as smart phones or laptops be compatible. It will likely be a while before this happens to the general public. Slowly but surely, the standard will find its way into almost all WLAN devices.

Is Wi-Fi 7 in Austria also as late as Wi-Fi 6E?
It cannot be assumed that this time we will have to wait longer in Austria. With Wi-Fi 6E the requirements were different. Since the frequencies in the 6 GHz spectrum were newly added at the time, this had to be done first Legal basis Created for their use. Delays in this process meant that Wi-Fi 6E was not available in this country until recently Two years late receipt. Since 6 GHz frequencies can now be used and Wi-Fi 7 does not introduce any new frequencies, its introduction in Austria should not be a problem.