If everything in your house goes through Wi-Fi —teleworking, 4K/8K streaming, gaming or home automation and connected home—, the next evolution matters a lot. Wi-Fi 7 is no small leap: it's the first version that truly approaches the performance of a wired connection, with fewer waits, fewer dropouts, and more headroom when There are dozens of devices fighting for air.
Beyond the headlines, the new 802.11be EHT standard comes with profound changes: channels twice as wide, more efficient modulation, multi-link operation (MLO) and efficiency improvements that reduce latency and make the most of all three bands (2,4, 5, and 6 GHz). Below, we explain in detail and in everyday Spanish what it offers, how it works, and why it could be the best option for your home.
What is Wi‑Fi 7
Wi‑Fi 7 is the commercial name of the standard IEEE 802.11be (Extremely High Throughput, EHT). Its goal is to significantly increase speed, capacity, and stability compared to Wi-Fi 6/6E, simultaneously leveraging the 2,4, 5, and 6 GHz bands and unlocking new technologies such as MLO (Multi‑Link Operation), channels up to 320 MHz and modulation 4096-QAM.
In theoretical figures, the ceiling rises to 46 Gbit / s per access point, practically five times the maximum of Wi-Fi 6/6E. In real-world conditions, the jump is also noticeable: more throughput on each device, fewer queues on saturated networks, and response times close to what you notice with an Ethernet cable.
Date and certification: the arrival of Wi‑Fi 7
Wi‑Fi 7 is official since the January 9, 2024The Wi‑Fi Alliance announced the certification at CES in Las Vegas, with 18 dispositivos Inaugural brands such as TP-Link, MediaTek, and Amazon. Since then, certified routers and access points have been emerging, and adoption is set to increase during 2024-2025 as product lines are updated.
In industrial demonstrations, suppliers such as MediaTek They have already shown that the maximum defined by the standard can be reached, which fuels the idea that the new Wi‑Fi can be, for many uses, the practical substitute for cableIn fact, the industry benchmark for performance is USB 4 (40 Gbit/s), and Wi‑Fi 7 is designed to play in that league.
Key data and comparison with previous generations
To quickly locate ourselves, it is advisable to see the major technical headlines and how they compare to previous Wi-Fi solutions. Here are the key pieces:
- Theoretical maximum speed: Wi-Fi 4 (1,2 Gbit/s) → Wi-Fi 5 (3,5 Gbit/s) → Wi-Fi 6/6E (9,6 Gbit/s) → Wi‑Fi 7 (up to 46 Gbit/s).
- Bands: 2,4 GHz (coverage) + 5 GHz (balance) + 6 GHz (capacity and spectrum clearing) in Wi‑Fi 7.
- Channel Ancho: up to 320 MHz on Wi‑Fi 7 (twice that of 160 MHz Wi‑Fi 6/6E).
- Modulation: from 1024‑QAM (Wi‑Fi 6) to 4096-QAM on Wi‑Fi 7 (20% more bits per symbol).
- MIMO: jump from 8×8 to 16 × 16 spatial streams, with more simultaneous bandwidth for everyone.
- Channels available: 2,4 GHz (11 channels of 20 MHz), 5 GHz (up to 25 channels, 20‑160 MHz), 6 GHz (up to 60 channels, 20‑320 MHz; in Europe see regulatory section).
This cocktail of improvements allows for more data to be put through the air, collisions to be better managed, more customers to be served at once and significantly lower latencyThis, at home, translates to less buffering, smoother gaming, and stutter-free video calls even on busy networks.
Technical innovations that make the difference
Wi‑Fi 7 doesn't just increase the numbers; it also changes how the network works on the inside to be more agile and stable when things get tough.
- MLO (Multi-Link Operation): the big star. Allows a device to use various links (channels/bands) simultaneously for sending/receiving. This way, if one channel becomes saturated or suffers interference, traffic jumps to another, reducing latency and dropouts.
- 320 MHz channels: double the previous maximum width and open the door to sustained multi-gigabit speeds on compatible clients.
- 4096-QAM: packs more bits per symbol; combined with good signal conditions, it improves throughput by 20% to 25% compared to 1024-QAM.
- Multi-RU: With Wi‑Fi 6, each client was assigned a single resource unit (RU) per transmission. With Wi‑Fi 7, group multiple RUs for the same user and make better use of the spectrum.
- 512 Compressed Block‑Ack: reduces confirmation overhead on large frames, increasing the efficiency.
- Preamble Puncturing: “punctures” parts of the interfered channel to continue using the rest of the available width instead of giving up the entire channel.
- Enhanced UL OFDMA (Uplink Access Enabled): Enhances what was introduced in Wi‑Fi 6 for latency-sensitive streams and performance requirements. QoS.
- 16×16 MU‑MIMO: Doubles the space capacity to serve more clients at once with dedicated streams.
- Optimized TWT (Target Wake Time): more time sleeping, less time listening, which helps battery of mobile phones, wearables and IoT devices.
- EPCS (Emergency Preparation Communication Service): mechanism for prioritizing emergency communications maintaining the quality of service on Wi‑Fi networks.
The practical result: less jitter and queues when there is mixed traffic (video, games, cloud backups, home automation), better use of the 6 GHz band and more immediate responses in everything that requires immediacy.
6 GHz Bands and Regulation: Europe vs. the US
The 6 GHz band is the jewel in the crown: clean, wide and perfect for 320 MHz channels. But its use varies by region for regulatory reasons.
In the United States, the FCC opened 1200 MHz (5925‑7125 MHz), allowing LPI (Low Power Indoor), SP (Standard Power) and VLP (Very Low Power) devices. For outdoor use with standard power, frequency and power coordination is required through a AFC service (Automatic Frequency Coordination) which prevents interference with satellites, radio links or weather stations.
In the European Union the opening is more conservative: only the bottom (5945‑6425 MHz), about 500 MHz. In addition, only devices LPI and VLP, without outdoor deployment of 6 GHz. The European Commission has set a consultation process until December 31th 2024 to review the framework and return to its position in 2025.
What does this mean at home? You'll have fewer 6 GHz channels available in the EU than in the US, but the band is still a huge relief from 2,4 GHz (which is heavily saturated by Wi-Fi and technologies like Bluetooth or Zigbee) and 5 GHz (still healthy, but with DFS limitations in certain environments). For indoors, which is where we use Wi‑Fi the most, the jump capacity and cleanliness it shows.
What it's used for at home: real-life uses that are noticeable
Beyond the theory, what does it translate to? That even with many devices connected, the network still going fine:
- 4K and 8K Streaming: Several 4K/8K TVs broadcasting at the same time, without blocks or pixelation, while others make copies in the cloud.
- Cloud and online gaming: Latency drops and jitter stabilizes; moving, aiming, and shooting feels instant, very close to the cable experience.
- VR/AR and immersive experiences: The combination of high speed and low latency is the basis for smoother and more responsive displays. metaverse no dizziness.
- Video calls and teleworking: 4K cameras, screen sharing and voice without artifacts even when the family is using All the rest.
- Smart home (IoT): Sensors, UHD cameras, locks and appliances coexist with heavy traffic without the Wi-Fi “going down”.
In larger homes, Wi‑Fi 7 also simplifies coverage. 6 GHz support, improved interference management, and MLO intelligence make mesh systems more efficient, reducing dead zones and clumsy handoffs between nodes.
What you need to really take advantage of it
There is a golden rule: to enjoy Wi‑Fi 7, router and device They must be compatible. If the client (mobile, laptop, TV) doesn't speak 802.11be, it will work—because the standard is backward compatible—but you won't see the major benefits (MLO, 320 MHz, 4096‑QAM).
The market is already moving. In mobile phones, models with Wi-Fi 7 support are starting to appear, and there are already specific references such as the Oppo Find X6 Pro, Find X7, Find X7 Ultra and Find X8In parallel, high-end laptops and desktop PCIe/USB cards incorporate chipsets from MediaTek, Qualcomm, Intel, etc., with 802.11be.
In Spain, some operators have started offering routers with Wi-Fi 7: Digi (included with your Pro 10 Gbps fiber), Orange (Love rates) and groups Euskaltel, R and Telecable for new customers. If you're interested, it's a simple way to upgrade the "AP" portion of your home network.
Practical advice: if your house is large, consider a system mesh Wi‑Fi 7 with dedicated backhaul. This keeps bandwidth high between nodes, and devices enjoy MLO and 6 GHz where they shine most: indoors, short/medium distance, and with minimal interference.
Frequently Asked Questions (and Clear Answers)
Can it replace Ethernet cable? For the vast majority of home uses, Wi‑Fi 7 is very close to the cable: latencies decrease, queues are better managed, and throughput peaks are very high. Still, for critical links (NAS editing, professional eSports, home backbones), the cable remains king due to its determinism and complete absence of interference.
How many channels are there really? In 2,4 GHz we are talking about 11 channels of 20 MHz; in 5 GHz there are up to 25 channels from 20‑160 MHz; in 6 GHz, up to 60 channels of 20‑320 MHz, although in the EU only the 5945‑6425 MHz portion is open (fewer channels than in the US).
Is it safer? Today the baseline is WPA3, very mature; you have advice on security on public Wi-Fi networksThe industry works in WPA4 to further strengthen security in new generations. In addition, Wi‑Fi 7 incorporates prioritization mechanisms such as EPCS for emergency communications.
Will it improve the battery life of my devices? Yes, thanks to TWT and more efficient media management. Customers spend more time sleeping and less time listening to the channel, which save energy in mobile phones, wearables and sensors.
What happens if there are many networks in my area? That's where Wi‑Fi 7 shines: MLO, Multi‑RU, Preamble Puncturing, and the 6 GHz band reduce collisions and take advantage of gaps in the spectrum. In practice, the network is more fluid even if there are dozens of SSIDs around.
When will it be “normal”? Certification came in January 2024 and during 2024-2025 we will see a cascade of routers, APs and clients Compatible. Prices will drop at the usual rate, and in the meantime, you can upgrade your router/AP first so it works with your current devices (backward compatibility) and unlock features as you switch clients.
Useful comparisons to understand the jump
To better visualize the change, These contrasts help:
- Speed: 9,6 Gbit/s (Wi-Fi 6/6E) to peaks of 46 Gbit / s (Wi‑Fi 7). In real-world scenarios, it’s common to see 2‑4x improvements in modern equipment and clean environments.
- Latency: Wi‑Fi 7 reduces round-trip times and stabilizes jitter. This is especially noticeable in games, VR/AR and concurrent video calls.
- Capacity: More simultaneous clients with useful throughputs thanks to 16×16 MU‑MIMO and more flexible resource scheduling (Multi‑RU).
- Resilience: With Preamble Puncturing, MLO and 6 GHz, the network holds up better interferences and congestion without falling into spirals of retries.
Large and demanding houses: why it's such a good fit
If you live in a villa or a large apartment with multiple floors, gardens, or hard walls, you'll know that Wi-Fi suffers. With Wi-Fi 7, improvements are made in three ways: more useful spectrum, better coordination between radios, and smarter meshes (mesh + MLO). This means the laptop in the attic, the camera in the garage, and the 8K TV in the living room all stay happy at the same time.
The scenarios with also win lots of simultaneous screen time: someone playing a game in the cloud, another person on a 4K call, the TV with Dolby Vision, and several phones uploading reels and photo copies to the cloud. Where the router used to be "choking," it now prioritizes and distributes data better.
What about IoT and home automation?
Interestingly, not everything in your home has to speak Wi‑Fi 7. A switch or a sensor that only sends telemetry will work perfectly with classic 2,4 GHz; requiring 802.11be would make it more expensive without adding anything. Where Wi‑Fi 7 is suitable is in UHD cameras, video doorbells, voice hubs, decoders/TVs, consoles and PCs that really squeeze bandwidth or demand very low latency.
Purchasing and deployment tips
Before purchasing, check compatibility: that the router supports MLO, 320 MHz and 6 GHz; so the clients you care about do the same. If you're going to set up a mesh, look for dedicated backhaul (ideally at 6 GHz) so the nodes can communicate "outside" of client traffic.
In apartments with a lot of neighbors, the 6 GHz band and Preamble Puncturing They make a difference because they allow you to take advantage of spectrum gaps. In semi-detached houses/chalets, try to locate the main AP in a central and high, and use cabling where possible to bring mesh nodes to critical areas; let MLO handle the rest.
Looking a little further
The industry already has its eye on what's next (Wi-Fi 8), but right now the useful leap is here. Wi-Fi 7 brings “wireless” closer to the experience of a wired link, enables new VR/AR scenarios and finally alleviates the congestion we suffer in homes with 30-50 connected devices. If your current network is lacking or you're just getting into the 8K and cloud gaming world, taking the plunge makes perfect sense.
With all of the above, it's clear that Wi-Fi 7 brings throughput, stability, and fast response right where it matters most: large homes, networks with many users, and crowded environments. If you combine a good router (or mesh) with compatible clients and take advantage of the 6 GHz band, you'll have a wireless experience that finally doesn't force you to think about the cable all the time.
