Wi-Fi 7

Wireless networking standard in development From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

IEEE 802.11be-2024[5] or 802.11be, dubbed Extremely High Throughput (EHT), is a wireless networking standard in the IEEE 802.11 set of protocols[6][7] which is designated Wi-Fi 7 by the Wi-Fi Alliance.[8][9][10] It is built upon 802.11ax, focusing on WLAN indoor and outdoor operation with stationary and pedestrian speeds in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz frequency bands.[11]

Quick facts
Wi-Fi 7
Icon used by the Wi-Fi Alliance for Wi-Fi 7
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More information Gen., IEEE standard ...
Wi-Fi generations
Gen.[1] IEEE
standard		 Adopt. Link rate
(Mbit/s)		 RF (GHz)
2.4 5 6
Wi‑Fi 1 802.11 1997 1–2 Yes
Wi‑Fi 2 802.11b 1999 1–11 Yes
Wi‑Fi 2G 802.11a 6–54 Yes
Wi‑Fi 3 802.11g 2003 Yes
Wi‑Fi 4 802.11n 2009 6.5–600 Yes Yes
Wi‑Fi 5 802.11ac 2013 6.5–6,933 [a] Yes
Wi‑Fi 6 802.11ax 2021 0.4–9,608 Yes Yes
Wi‑Fi 6E Yes Yes Yes
Wi‑Fi 7 802.11be 2024 0.4–23,059 Yes Yes Yes
Wi‑Fi 8[2][3][4] 802.11bn TBA Yes Yes Yes
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In a single band, throughput reaches a theoretical maximum of 23 Gbit/s, although actual results are much lower.

Development of the 802.11be amendment began with an initial draft in March 2021 and the final version was published on 22 July 2025.[12][9][13][14] Despite this, numerous products were announced in 2022 based on draft standards, with retail availability in early 2023. On 8 January 2024, the Wi-Fi Alliance introduced its Wi-Fi Certified 7 program to certify Wi-Fi 7 devices as the technical requirements were essentially complete.[15][16][17]

Core features

The following are core features that have been approved as of Draft 3.0:

  • 4096-QAM (4K-QAM) enables each symbol to carry 12 bits rather than 10 bits, resulting in 20% higher theoretical transmission rates than WiFi 6's 1024-QAM. This feature is optional for Wi-Fi 7 certification.[18]
  • Contiguous and non-contiguous 320/160+160 MHz and 240/160+80 MHz bandwidth. This feature is optional for Wi-Fi 7 certification.[18][b]
  • Multi-link Operation (MLO), a feature that increases capacity by simultaneously sending and receiving data across different frequency bands and channels. (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz). This feature is mandatory for Wi-Fi 7 certification.[18] Wi-Fi 7 builds on the technology of Wi-Fi 6 through the introduction of Multi-Link Operation (MLO), allowing users to connect to 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands simultaneously.[19]
  • 8 spatial streams and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) protocol enhancements. (Initial 16 but removed from the specs in 2024).
  • Flexible Channel Utilization – Interference currently can negate an entire Wi-Fi channel. With preamble puncturing, a portion of the channel that is affected by interference can be blocked off while continuing to use the rest of the channel. This feature is mandatory for Wi-Fi 7 certification.[18][c]
  • Multiple Resource Unit (MRU) – Improves OFDMA technology from Wi-Fi 6, allowing a single user to have multiple Resource Units. This feature is mandatory for Wi-Fi 7 certification.[18]

Candidate features

The main candidate features mentioned in the 802.11be Project Authorization Request (PAR) are:[20]

  • Multi-Access Point (AP) Coordination (e.g. coordinated and joint transmission),
  • Enhanced link adaptation and retransmission protocol (e.g. Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)).
  • If needed, adaptation to regulatory rules specific to 6 GHz spectrum.[needs update][18][b]
  • Integrating Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) IEEE 802.1Q extensions for low-latency real-time traffic:[21][22][23]
    • IEEE 802.1AS timing and synchronization
    • IEEE 802.11aa MAC Enhancements for Robust Audio Video Streaming (Stream Reservation Protocol over IEEE 802.11)
    • IEEE 802.11ak Enhancements for Transit Links Within Bridged Networks (802.11 links in 802.1Q networks)
    • Bounded latency: credit-based (IEEE 802.1Qav) and cyclic/time-aware traffic shaping (IEEE 802.1Qch/Qbv), asynchronous traffic scheduling (IEEE 802.1Qcr-2020)
    • IEEE 802.11ax Scheduled Operation extensions for reduced jitter/latency

Additional features

Apart from the features mentioned in the PAR, there are newly introduced features:[24]

  • Frame formats with improved forward-compatibility.
  • Enhanced resource allocation in OFDMA.
  • Implicit channel sounding, optimized to require less airtime.
  • Support for direct links, managed by an access point.[clarification needed]

Rate set

More information MCS index, Modulation type ...
Modulation and coding schemes
MCS index[i] Modulation type Coding rate Data rate (Mbit/s)[ii]
20 MHz channels 40 MHz channels 80 MHz channels 160 MHz channels 320 MHz channels
3200 ns GI[iii] 1600 ns GI 800 ns GI 3200 ns GI 1600 ns GI 800 ns GI 3200 ns GI 1600 ns GI 800 ns GI 3200 ns GI 1600 ns GI 800 ns GI 3200 ns GI 1600 ns GI 800 ns GI
0 BPSK 1/2 7 8 9 15 16 17 31 34 36 61 68 72 123 136 144
1 QPSK 1/2 15 16 17 29 33 34 61 68 72 122 136 144 245 272 288
2 QPSK 3/4 22 24 26 44 49 52 92 102 108 184 204 216 368 408 432
3 16-QAM 1/2 29 33 34 59 65 69 123 136 144 245 272 288 490 544 577
4 16-QAM 3/4 44 49 52 88 98 103 184 204 216 368 408 432 735 817 865
5 64-QAM 2/3 59 65 69 117 130 138 245 272 288 490 544 576 980 1089 1153
6 64-QAM 3/4 66 73 77 132 146 155 276 306 324 551 613 649 1103 1225 1297
7 64-QAM 5/6 73 81 86 146 163 172 306 340 360 613 681 721 1225 1361 1441
8 256-QAM 3/4 88 98 103 176 195 207 368 408 432 735 817 865 1470 1633 1729
9 256-QAM 5/6 98 108 115 195 217 229 408 453 480 817 907 961 1633 1815 1922
10 1024-QAM 3/4 110 122 129 219 244 258 459 510 540 919 1021 1081 1838 2042 2162
11 1024-QAM 5/6 122 135 143 244 271 287 510 567 600 1021 1134 1201 2042 2269 2402
12 4096-QAM 3/4 131 146 155 263 293 310 551 613 649 1103 1225 1297 2205 2450 2594
13 4096-QAM 5/6 146 163 172 293 325 344 613 681 721 1225 1361 1441 2450 2722 2882
14 BPSK-DCM-DUP 1/2 7 8 9 15 17 18 31 34 36
15 BPSK-DCM 1/2 4 4 4 7 8 9 15 17 18 31 34 36 61 68 72
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Comparison

More information Frequency range, or type, PHY ...
802.11 network standards
Frequency
range,
or type		 PHY Protocol Release
date[25]		 Freq­uency band Channel width Stream
data rate[26]		 Max.
MIMO streams		 Modulation Approx. range
In­door Out­door
(GHz) (MHz) (Mbit/s)
1–7 GHz DSSS[27], FHSS[A] 802.11-1997 June 1997 2.4 22 1, 2 N/a DSSS, FHSS[A] 20 m (66 ft) 100 m (330 ft)
HR/DSSS[27] 802.11b September 1999 2.4 22 1, 2, 5.5, 11 N/a CCK, DSSS 35 m (115 ft) 140 m (460 ft)
OFDM 802.11a September 1999 5 5, 10, 20 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54
(for 20 MHz bandwidth,
divide by 2 and 4 for 10 and 5 MHz)		 N/a OFDM 35 m (115 ft) 120 m (390 ft)
802.11j November 2004 4.9, 5.0
[B][28]		 ? ?
802.11y November 2008 3.7[C] ? 5,000 m (16,000 ft)[C]
802.11p July 2010 5.9 200 m 1,000 m (3,300 ft)[29]
802.11bd December 2022 5.9, 60 500 m 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
ERP-OFDM[30] 802.11g June 2003 2.4 38 m (125 ft) 140 m (460 ft)
HT-OFDM[31] 802.11n
(Wi-Fi 4)		 October 2009 2.4, 5 20 Up to 288.8[D] 4 MIMO-OFDM
(64-QAM)		 70 m (230 ft) 250 m (820 ft)[32]
40 Up to 600[D]
VHT-OFDM[31] 802.11ac
(Wi-Fi 5)		 December 2013 5 20 Up to 693[D] 8 DL
MU-MIMO OFDM
(256-QAM)		 35 m (115 ft)[33] ?
40 Up to 1,600[D]
80 Up to 3,467[D]
160 Up to 6,933[D]
HE-OFDMA 802.11ax
(Wi-Fi 6,
Wi-Fi 6E)		 May 2021 2.4, 5, 6 20 Up to 1,147[E] 8 UL/DL
MU-MIMO OFDMA
(1024-QAM)		 30 m (98 ft) 120 m (390 ft)[F]
40 Up to 2,294[E]
80 Up to 5,500[E]
80+80 Up to 11,000[E]
EHT-OFDMA 802.11be
(Wi-Fi 7)		 Sep 2024 2.4, 5, 6 80 Up to 5,764[E] 8 UL/DL
MU-MIMO OFDMA
(4096-QAM)		 30 m (98 ft) 120 m (390 ft)[F]
160
(80+80)		 Up to 11,500[E]
240
(160+80)		 Up to 14,282[E]
320
(160+160)		 Up to 23,059[E]
UHR 802.11bn
(Wi-Fi 8)		 May 2028
(est.)		 2.4, 5, 6 320 Up to
23,059
8 Multi-link
MU-MIMO OFDM
(4096-QAM)		 ? ?
WUR[G] 802.11ba October 2021 2.4, 5 4, 20 0.0625, 0.25
(62.5 kbit/s, 250 kbit/s)		 N/a OOK (multi-carrier OOK) ? ?
mmWave
(WiGig)		 DMG[34] 802.11ad December 2012 60 2,160
(2.16 GHz)		 Up to 8,085[35]
(8 Gbit/s)		 N/a OFDM,[A] single carrier, low-power single carrier[A] 3.3 m (11 ft)[36] ?
802.11aj April 2018 60[H] 1,080[37] Up to 3,754
(3.75 Gbit/s)		 N/a single carrier, low-power single carrier[A] ? ?
CMMG 802.11aj April 2018 45[H] 540,
1,080		 Up to 15,015[38]
(15 Gbit/s)		 4[39] OFDM, single carrier ? ?
EDMG[40] 802.11ay July 2021 60 Up to 8,640
(8.64 GHz)		 Up to 303,336[41]
(303 Gbit/s)		 8 OFDM, single carrier 10 m (33 ft) 100 m (328 ft)
Sub 1 GHz (IoT) TVHT[42] 802.11af February 2014 0.054–
0.79		 6, 7, 8 Up to 568.9[43] 4 MIMO-OFDM ? ?
S1G[42] 802.11ah May 2017 0.7, 0.8,
0.9		 1–16 Up to 8.67[44]
(@2 MHz)		 4 ? ?
Light
(Li-Fi)		 LC
(VLC/OWC)		 802.11bb November 2023 800–1000 nm 20 Up to 9.6 Gbit/s N/a O-OFDM ? ?
IR[A]
(IrDA)		 802.11-1997 June 1997 850–900 nm ? 1, 2 N/a PPM[A] ? ?
802.11 Standard rollups
  802.11-2007 (802.11ma) March 2007 2.4, 5 Up to 54 DSSS, OFDM
802.11-2012 (802.11mb) March 2012 2.4, 5 Up to 150[D] DSSS, OFDM
802.11-2016 (802.11mc) December 2016 2.4, 5, 60 Up to 866.7 or 6,757[D] DSSS, OFDM
802.11-2020 (802.11md) December 2020 2.4, 5, 60 Up to 866.7 or 6,757[D] DSSS, OFDM
802.11-2024 (802.11me) September 2024 2.4, 5, 6, 60 Up to 9,608 or 303,336 DSSS, OFDM
  1. [A]
    This is obsolete, and support for this might be subject to removal in a future revision of the standard
  2. [B]
    For Japanese regulation.
  3. [C]
    IEEE 802.11y-2008 extended operation of 802.11a to the licensed 3.7 GHz band. Increased power limits allow a range up to 5,000 m. As of 2009, it is only being licensed in the United States by the FCC.
  4. [D]
    Based on short guard interval; standard guard interval is ~10% slower. Rates vary widely based on distance, obstructions, and interference.
  5. [E]
    For single-user cases only, based on default guard interval which is 0.8 microseconds. Since multi-user via OFDMA has become available for 802.11ax, these may decrease. Also, these theoretical values depend on the link distance, whether the link is line-of-sight or not, interferences and the multi-path components in the environment.
  6. [F]
    The default guard interval is 0.8 microseconds. However, 802.11ax extended the maximum available guard interval to 3.2 microseconds, in order to support outdoor communications, where the maximum possible propagation delay is larger compared to Indoor environments.
  7. [G]
    Wake-up Radio (WUR) Operation.
  8. [H]
    For Chinese regulation.
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802.11be Task Group

The 802.11be Task Group is led by individuals affiliated with Qualcomm, Intel, and Broadcom. Those affiliated with Huawei, Maxlinear, NXP, and Apple also have senior positions.[14]

Commercial availability

Hardware

The Wi-Fi Alliance maintains a list of Wi-Fi 7 certified devices.[45]

Software

Android 13 and higher provide support for Wi-Fi 7.[46]

The Linux 6.2 kernel provides support for Wi-Fi 7 devices. The 6.4 kernel added Wi-Fi 7 mesh support.[47] Linux 6.5 included significant driver support by Intel engineers, particularly support for MLO.[48]

Support for Wi-Fi 7 was added to Windows 11, as of build 26063.1.[49][50]

Notes

  1. [i]
    MCS 9 is not applicable to all combinations of channel width and spatial stream count.
  2. [ii]
    Per spatial stream
  3. [iii]
    GI stands for guard interval.
  1. [a]
    802.11ac only specifies operation in the 5 GHz band. Operation in the 2.4 GHz band is specified by 802.11n.
  2. [b]
    see 3.2. – 320 MHz Channel Width
  3. [c]
    see 3.4. – Preamble Puncturing

References

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