Wi-Fi 7: MediaTek tests wireless network at breakneck speed

The wireless network standard Wi-Fi 6 has by no means arrived everywhere yet, but the tests for its successor are already picking up speed. Chip manufacturer MediaTek has shown a first live demo of Wi-Fi 7, with which the 2.4-fold data rate of the sixth generation could be achieved.

Wi-Fi 7 with 2.4 times the speed

MediaTek has made its first live demonstration of Wi-Fi 7 for customers and partners, according to a proprietary announcement. In the process, the demo showed the new standard, which is to be called IEEE 802.11be. It uses “Multi Link Operation” (MLO) technology, thanks to which multiple channels on different frequencies can be combined. This should noticeably improve the strength of the signal, while the data rate can be even higher.

Especially in the area of video streaming and gaming, the MLO technology is supposed to have a positive effect on the performance. In this regard, MediaTek is certain that the ever-increasing demands for fast Internet for high-resolution videos, current games and VR titles will drive the demand for Wi-Fi 7.

According to the chipmaker’s vision, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to become especially crucial to flagship smartphones, PCs and other tech devices.

First products as early as 2023

Just like the current Wi-Fi 6E standard, Wi-Fi 7 combines on channels in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands. The bandwidth is said to be a full 2.4 times faster compared to Wi-Fi 6, even with the same number of antennas.

The use of 320 MHz channels and other exciting features such as MRU (Multi-User Resource Unit) for improved interference reduction, as well as 4K-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) round off the scope.

According to MediaTek, the first devices with the new Wi-Fi 7 WLAN standard will be launched as early as next year 2023. Moon Ho Lee, President of Korea Mercury, is sure that Wi-Fi 7 will meet all current and future requirements for a fast, wireless Internet and open the “doors for VR/AR applications that we cannot even imagine today”.