Tag: Wi-Fi 7

PodChats for FutureIoT: Unlocking the Wi-Fi 7 potential for businesses in 2025
With its unprecedented speeds, lower latency, and ability to support a greater number of simultaneous connections, WiFi7 may well be the answer to Asia’s rapid urbanisation and the increasing adoption of IoT devices. It offers businesses the capacity to support seamless operations and improve collaboration across various sectors.

CIOs and heads of infrastructure must recognise the strategic implications of integrating WiFi7 into their connectivity strategies. Higher data rates and advanced features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) can significantly enhance user experience, improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

By addressing key considerations—such as security, budget impacts, and staff training—leaders can effectively harness WiFi7 meet current demands and unlock new business models and opportunities for growth in an increasingly connected landscape.

In this PodChats for FutureIoT, Sanjiv Verma, vice president of RUCKUS Networks for APAC, Commscope emphasises that Wi-Fi 7 brings significant advancements in speed, latency, and the ability to support multiple simultaneous connections. He posits that “Wi-Fi 7 is four times better” than its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) allows various radios to operate simultaneously, enabling load balancing and lower latency, which is crucial for real-time applications such as gaming and AI.

Business Applications

Verma identifies sectors that will significantly benefit from Wi-Fi 7:
- Gaming and Entertainment: Real-time streaming requires higher bandwidth.
- Healthcare: Quick access to digital images is essential for doctors during patient visits.
- Hospitality: Seamless Wi-Fi is now expected as a utility by guests.
He states, “Customer experience is critical for any business to be successful,” highlighting that businesses in these sectors must adopt advanced technologies to enhance customer satisfaction.

Impact on Existing Networks

Verma notes that many existing networks rely on older technologies and recommends upgrading infrastructure to support newer applications, especially given the increasing demands from AI and content creation. He stresses the need for businesses to future-proof their networks to accommodate growth in video consumption and other multimedia applications.

Best Practices for Integration

He mentions that Wi-Fi 7 is backwards compatible, allowing integration with existing Wi-Fi 5 and 6 devices. Businesses should consider upgrading only the necessary parts of their networks to support newer applications while maintaining compatibility.

Anticipated Challenges

Planning is crucial when transitioning to Wi-Fi 7. Verma cautions that businesses must keep their networks up to date to avoid costly downtimes. He advises a long-term strategic view to ensure upgrades meet future demands and avoid ad hoc migrations.

Security Measures

Verma asserts that security protocols do not change significantly with Wi-Fi 7, as the same security practices apply to Wi-Fi 6. “Customers need to ensure their network infrastructure is protected using the right security technologies,” he advises.

Budget Considerations

Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 may initially incur higher costs, but prices typically decrease with mass adoption. Verma suggests that organisations should plan for incremental budget increases and invest in higher capacities than currently needed to accommodate future demands.

Training Requirements

Training will be necessary to manage the new features of Wi-Fi 7, mainly related to MLO and the increased use of multiple radios. However, he reassures that fundamental troubleshooting skills remain the same.

Projected ROI

Verma defines the ROI of upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 regarding customer experience and retention. He explains that improved customer satisfaction leads to higher retention and acquisition rates. Organisations should consider the potential cost savings from using a unified infrastructure for Wi-Fi and IoT applications.

Future Business Models

With the shift towards an on-demand economy, Verma believes businesses can leverage Wi-Fi 7 to create new models requiring robust infrastructure. He points out that managing fluctuating service demand will be critical for success.

Connectivity Expectations

Verma anticipates that Wi-Fi 7 will become mainstream within the next few years, although current adoption is still in its early stages. He expects significant growth in device compatibility and infrastructure upgrades soon.

Click on the PodChat player to hear Verma’s views on the opportunities Wi-Fi 7 offers for enterprises in detail.
1. What are the specific business needs that Wi-Fi 7 promises to address within organisations in Asia?
2. How will the increased capacity of Wi-Fi 7 affect existing network infrastructure?
3. Provide 1 or 2 best practices for ensuring seamless integration of Wi-Fi 7 with existing applications and services.
4. What potential challenges should we anticipate during the transition to Wi-Fi 7?
5. What security measures should organisations implement to protect our network while rolling out Wi-Fi 7?
6. How will the deployment of Wi-Fi 7 impact the IT budget and resource allocation?
7. What training will be required to manage and maintain a Wi-Fi 7 network?
8. What is the projected ROI for upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 compared to keeping what is in place today?
9. How can businesses leverage Wi-Fi 7 to create new business models or improve existing services?
10. Can you share views on what we can expect around connectivity in the next 2-3 years?
January 2, 2025
WiFi 7 is high on investment plans for 2023
Wi-Fi 7 is emerging as one of the most important areas of investment in new connectivity technologies. That is one key finding from the latest cross-industry survey of service providers, technology vendors and enterprises by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), the global industry body dedicated to improving Wi-Fi standards and services.

According to the industry body, Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), Wi-Fi 6E has now become the de facto industry standard, with 53% having already deployed the technology and a further 44% already working on plans to adopt Wi-Fi 6E in the next 12-18 months.

But as expected, technology and standards are not taking any rest.

The WBA Annual Industry Report 2023 reveals that 33% of service providers, technology vendors and enterprises already have plans to deploy Wi-Fi 7 by the end of 2023.

Wi-Fi 7 will supercharge current Wi-Fi capabilities with new technologies, such as multilink operation and time sensitive networking – ideal for Industry 4.0 applications – while leveraging the 6GHz spectrum dynamically with automatic frequency coordination.

Driving W-Fi 7 adoption

The uptake of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 is being driven by a growing appetite for data-intensive, low-latency applications and use cases, from smart cities and immersive technologies such as the future metaverse to Industry 4.0.

Newer Wi-Fi technologies offer better scheduling and greater interference management, which respondents to the survey now see as essential in supporting high-quality video, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and other advanced consumer experiences.

The report detailed a renewed focus on the quality of experience (QoE) delivered to end-users, with 90% of service providers, equipment manufacturers and enterprises now ranking it as a key differentiator in monetising their Wi-Fi services.

The report noted that 61% of respondents identified services such as high-definition video streaming, AR, VR and potential metaverse applications as key revenue opportunities.

Adlane Fellah

Adlane Fellah, a senior analyst at Maravedis says ensuring a predictable quality Wi-Fi experience has become the main driver of innovation and collaboration in the industry.

“In a post-pandemic world, consumers and businesses expect more from Wi-Fi and rely on it more than ever. Immersive experiences, low latency applications and seamless roaming will drive the Wi-Fi industry for the foreseeable future,” he added.

WBA OpenRoaming gathering pace

Global momentum for WBA OpenRoaming, which reached a milestone of one million hotspots in early 2022, was also underlined by the report.

OpenRoaming enables users to connect automatically and securely to millions of Wi-Fi networks around the world without the need for logins, registrations, or passwords, facilitating “always on” connectivity.

Passpoint technology removes the friction usually associated with onboarding and offboarding between hotspots. The WBA report says 62% of service providers, equipment manufacturers and enterprises worldwide will have already deployed Passpoint/OpenRoaming technology or are planning to do so by the end of 2023.

A further 25% are expected to deploy the technology by 2025. Among those adopting OpenRoaming, 51% said the key driver was improving the overall customer experience.

Convergence is critical

Other key findings from the report reinforce the need for convergence between Wi-Fi and cellular technologies in the interest of creating a seamless user experience:
- In enterprise markets, 70% said Wi-Fi and 5G will coexist, with 61% claiming convergence would support enhanced flexibility for enterprise services
- 53% said that convergence between licensed and unlicensed technologies was critical or important for the current commercial strategy
Tiago Rodrigues

According to Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance the industry is identifying increasing value in Wi-Fi technology in the wake of highly anticipated new use cases. He added that service providers, equipment manufacturers and enterprises around the world know that those use cases are best served in a converged environment, where Wi-Fi and 5G complement each other.

“We’re seeing the industry advance at breakneck pace toward Wi-Fi 7, with mobile operators leveraging Wi-Fi as part of their 5G strategies to maximise coverage and optimise capacity – it’s all about the user experience.”
Tiago Rodrigues

“This includes how people and things connect to the networks – automatically, securely and with privacy assured and that is where OpenRoaming provides the essential ingredient,” he continued.

Hold your horses

But before you even start debating whether to upgrade straight to Wi-Fi 7, since it is backwards compatible, to reap the benefits of speed, you will need to upgrade literally all of the devices connected via Wi-Fi. That may be too steep a price to pay even during the early days when the standards are still finding roots – sometime in 2024.
October 25, 2022
Saudi Arabia to release full 6GHz for license-exempt use

Saudi Arabia plans to release full 6GHz to Wi-Fi for license-exempt use, delivering high-speed wireless broadband that is expected to bring new digital services and applications such as IoT, robotics and virtual reality to the Middle Eastern nation and make them more commercially available.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) yesterday announced their ground-breaking spectrum designation of the entire 6 GHz band (5.925-7.125 GHz) for license-exempt use. Paving the way for Wi-Fi 6E & Wi-Fi 7, Saudi Arabia becomes the first country in the Middle East, Europe, or Africa to assign all 1200 MHz of the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use. The Kingdom now has more than 2 GHz of spectrum for Wi-Fi operations – the most mid-band spectrum designated by any country globally.

The was decision after a comprehensive consultation, significant engagement with various global stakeholders, and trials with Wi-Fi 6E equipment furnished by Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) members Broadcom and Intel. The trials demonstrated that Saudi Arabia could advance its digital ambitions, achieving 2 Gigabits per second speed in laptop computers, while enabling continued operations with existing users of the 6 GHz band.

Well-positioned for Wi-Fi 7 deployments

WBA lauded the CITC’s latest move saying it hasten the country’s digitalisation by enabling next-generation services.

“The CITC ruling underlines how important 6 GHz spectrum is in achieving the Kingdom’s vision to transform Saudi Arabia into a digital society. Overnight, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become a model for how the rest of the world can use spectrum policy to ensure that their schools, health care providers, businesses, citizens and visitors can provide affordable, reliable, multi-gigabit connectivity and take full advantage of Wi-Fi and 5G,” said Tiago Rodrigues, WBA CEO.

With Saudi Arabia joining the ranks of the US, South Korea, Brazil, and others, in designating all 1200 MHz of the 6 GHz band for license-exempt use, the WBA hopes that other regulators in the region will take note and make a similar commitment to advancing their own wireless broadband capabilities. This will lead to global harmonisation, which is key to scale, accelerating technology development, and reducing costs for end-users.

Rodrigues added: “The CITC’s decision is a clear global milestone. Saudi Arabia has set out a leading position for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and raised the bar for the rest of the world. The WBA strongly recommends that regulators in other countries pay close attention to Saudi Arabia’s example of allocating the entire 6GHz band for license-exempt use.

“The release of the full 1200 MHz provides enhanced flexibility for both indoor and outdoor deployments and lays the foundation for the Kingdom’s citizens and businesses to set a path for the adoption of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 when that technology debuts. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with CITC, and I look forward to further collaboration by enabling OpenRoaming trials, which will enable secure and seamless roaming.”

By making all 1200 MHz of the band available, the Saudi’s have created a wireless superhighway with seven non-overlapping 160 MHz channels of green field spectrum for Wi-Fi 6E devices to use. Saudis will enjoy high reliability Wi-Fi that doubles the speeds and halves the latency compared to the capacity-constrained 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

The country will also be well positioned to lead in Wi-Fi 7 deployments when it becomes available. With this broad-based designation, Wi-Fi 7 deployments using 320 MHz wide channels will get up to 5 gigabits per second in mobile devices at very low latencies. This sets the stage for the Kingdom to further reap the benefits of contextual Internet, integrated communications services, and immersive AR/VR for telemedicine, education and worker training.

Industry players optimistic response

The WBA annual report states that members of the Wi-Fi industry said that the 6 GHz band is a critical component of their network strategy, with 78% of network operators seeking to take advantage of this spectrum to deliver high speed wireless broadband.

It is unsurprising therefore that WBA members are enthusiastic in welcoming the CITC ruling.

“We commend CITC for its visionary designation of 1200 MHz of the 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi. This truly brings the best out of Wi-Fi 6E for gigabit broadband. Equally important are the exemplary rules crafted for portable Wi-Fi devices to disrupt fields like telemedicine and education. We are pleased that the Saudi Arabia Wi-Fi 6E trials that we enabled jointly with Intel catalysed this momentous designation by the CITC. We are also happy to note that Saudi Arabians can instantly benefit from the Broadcom powered Wi-Fi 6E ecosystem of devices available in the market today,” said Vijay Nagarajan, vice president of Marketing, Wireless Communications and Connectivity Division, ‎Broadcom .

Eric McLaughlin, vice president, Client Computing Group, and General Manager, Wireless Solutions Group, Intel, echoed the same sentiment.

“We would like to congratulate the CITC on its transformative direction to approve the entire 6 GHz band for unlicensed use. With this new spectrum allocation Saudi Arabia is well positioned to lead the regional transition to Wi-Fi 6E and future Wi-Fi 7 technologies that will broadly enable ultra-low latency and gigabit-speed Wi-Fi capabilities to meet the growing needs across all market segments,” he said. “We are honoured to have been able to contribute to the Wi-Fi 6E trials which helped support CITC’s historic decision alongside our industry colleagues at Broadcom and the WBA.”

Matt MacPherson, Wireless CTO at Cisco, said: “We commend this pioneering move to create a more connected future. Wi-Fi 6E unleashes the full potential of Wi-Fi allowing a host of new devices and services to emerge. It means more speed, higher-data rates, and better security for a multitude of new capabilities and applications including VR, robotics, and IoT. “

March 31, 2021

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