The evolution of Wi-Fi standards has brought significant improvements in speed and capability over the years. Wi-Fi speeds have skyrocketed with each generation, evolving from early megabit connections to massive multi-gigabit speeds. With each iteration, max theoretical speeds have multiplied.
Wi-Fi 4
In 2009, the Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) standard was introduced, operating on the 2.4 GHz band with a theoretical maximum speed of 300 Mbps. This standard provided reliable performance, basic security (WPA2), and supported standard usage.
Wi-Fi 4 at a glance:
- Operates on the 2.4 GHz band
- Maximum theoretical speed of 300 Mbps
- Reliable performance
- Basic security (WPA2)
- Standard usage supported
Wi-Fi 5
The next major step came in 2013 with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It used the 5 GHz band and drastically increased the theoretical maximum speed to 1.3 Gbps. Key features included higher speed, better range, and support for HD video.
Wi-Fi 5 at a glance:
- Operates on the 5 GHz band
- Maximum theoretical speed of 1.3 Gbps
- Higher speed
- Better range
- Supports HD video
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) arrived in 2019, boosting the theoretical maximum speed to 9.6 Gbps. It operated across the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This standard offered more capacity, introduced MU-MIMO technology, and was better suited for environments with many devices.
Wi-Fi 6 at a glance:
- Operates on the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands
- Maximum theoretical speed of 9.6 Gbps
- More capacity
- MU-MIMO technology
- Better for many devices
Wi-Fi 6E
A slight variation, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), followed in 2020. While maintaining the 9.6 Gbps speed, its main improvement was the utilization of the new 6 GHz band in addition to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This provided less interference and improved security.
Wi-Fi 6E at a glance:
- Operates on the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands
- Maximum theoretical speed of 9.6 Gbps
- Less interference
- Improved security
Wi-Fi 7
The newest standard, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), is projected for 2024. It will support all three major bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) and offer an ultra-high theoretical maximum speed of 46 Gbps. Its key features are very low latency, making it ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, 8K video, and Virtual Reality (VR).
Wi-Fi 7 at a glance:
- Operates on the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands
- Maximum theoretical speed of 46 Gbps
- Very low latency
- Great for gaming, 8K video and VR
Why is Wi-Fi 7 (the latest available standard) good for your business?
Wi-Fi 7 is usually a pretty decent upgrade for businesses because:
- It delivers up to 46 Gbps speeds
- It has ultra-low latency (so the delay between device>router>internet and back is smaller)
- It has greater reliability in crowded environments – Perfect for offices
- It eliminates network bottlenecks for data-heavy tasks, helping to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
You might also ask…
- How do Wi-Fi speeds differ across Wi-Fi standards?
- What is the timeline of Wi-Fi generations?
- How much faster are Wi-Fi generations?
- What are the differences between Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6 and 7?
- Wi-Fi 7 vs previous generations
- Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7
