Page 97 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

320 MHz will be “Mainstream” in Wi-Fi 7 and 8, say Broadcom and Intel

Wi-Fi 7’s support of 320 megahertz (MHz) as notebooks, desktops and tablets, Intel large empty conference room, speeds in
channels, double the 160 MHz of Wi-Fi 6E, recently found that of the 269 models on excess of 4 gigabits per second were
has long been a headline feature, delivering the market, 87% support 320 MHz while obtained throughout the room. In addition,
unprecedented reliability and range while just 13% only support up to 160 MHz. The to illustrate the power of 320 MHz channels
offering gigabit-plus performance. company further reported that Wi-Fi 7 has in a challenging environment, Broadcom
Because of these clear benefits, Broadcom ramped 2.3x faster than Wi-Fi 6E one year tested this feature live last May at the
views 320 MHz as “table stakes” and says after the Wi-Fi Alliance Certification Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) Summit
that early adoption indicates it will be launch. “Intel is thrilled to see the rapidly in Geneva. The test environment was
“mainstream” in Wi-Fi 7 and 8. “Virtually maturing ecosystem and growing number simple enough: a large, crowded room,
every Access Point has 320 MHz support of devices with Wi-Fi 7. Support for 320 with lots of movement, which is typically a
in the 6 GHz band and a high percentage of MHz channels in the 6 GHz band is challenging place for Wi-Fi. Yet Broadcom
phones and PCs support 320 MHz,” Gabriel essential to enable gigabit speeds and achieved consistent gigabit per second
Desjardins, director of product marketing wired-like responsiveness in more places speeds at the furthest reaches of the room.
in Broadcom’s Wireless Connectivity throughout the home or office,” commented “These demos using commercially-
Division, told RCR Wireless News. He noted Eric McLaughlin, VP of Intel’s Client available devices clearly demonstrate not
that handset volumes on the market are Computing Group and GM Connectivity just the value of Wi-Fi 7 operating in a 320
split right now between 160 and 320 MHz, Solutions Group. “Users will be able to MHz channel, but also that device
but believes the market is “moving entirely maximize their broadband connections migration to wider channels is imminent.
to 320 MHz in the near future.” And and enjoy great Wi-Fi speeds for a variety Seeing is believing. The ability to operate
Desjardins expects similar penetration for of new entertainment, collaboration, and in a 320 MHz is foundational for indoor
the Access Point market, as the benefit productivity experiences.” Broadcom gigabit wireless broadband,” said
there is also apparent: “Basically, at every conducted extensive 320 MHz testing in its VijayNagarajan, Vice President of product
point in your home, you’re going to get Edge Computing labs in Dallas, Texas. marketing in Broadcom’s Wireless
higher throughput with a Wi-Fi 7 AP than Using a commercially available 320MHz- Connectivity Division.
with 6E or 6,” he said. When it comes to the enabled phone and a commercial
Personal Computing Devices market, such Broadcom-based Wi-Fi 7 access point in a

97 OCT-DEC 2024