WiFi 7 vs 5G: Which one’s better?

It hasn’t been too long since WiFi 6 was first released. Now, WiFi 7 is already being widely discussed. Compared with the 5th generation of cellular networks, which has already rolled out, what’s the difference? Is one better than the other? Should we expect the latest generation of WiFi to replace the current generation of mobile?

Here are two dates that are important for both:

Summer 2019—service providers started offering 5G services to select cities around the world (e.g., Atlanta, Tokyo, Shanghai, and more).

Spring 2022—the IEEE task group announced the draft 2.0 of 802.11be, and the final version will be released in 2024.

While the jury’s still out on WiFi 6, both WiFi and cellular networking are built for similar purposes and complement each other.

To most, they are still completely different. You use WiFi in fixed locations, but 5G becomes your primary option outside.

Here are some examples for different applications:

At home, you’ll want a stable and simple network, but 5G requires many more radio access points and suffers from poor connectivity indoors. 5G will also cost more, so the better choice would be to build a unique WiFi network.

By hooking up a WiFi 7 router or a whole home WiFi 7 system, you can experience less lag and more bandwidth for super-smooth video and gameplay.

For the business sector, the economics behind both technologies is worth considering. Even after years of development, 5G is still at an early stage, meaning expensive deployment. In fact, the signal of 5G in office buildings or parks will suffer from walls and other interference, so WiFi will continue to provide superior performance indoors.

For the best of both worlds, you can always invest in a 5G router that transmits 5G signals into WiFi. Then, all of your devices will enjoy 5G networking.

Although indoor networks are still dominated by WiFi, 5G reigns king for outdoor coverage. The construction of smart cities and the realization of automation and artificial intelligence will still require 5G support. WiFi 7, on the other hand, is all about taking the capacity and efficiency of wireless networks to the next level.

In the end, both complete each other and contribute to the future of connectivity.

Learn more info about TP-Link WiFi 7>>