VENDORiQ: Intel and Broadcom Successfully Demonstrated First Wi-Fi 7 Cross-Vendor Trial

The Latest

11 October 2022: Intel and Broadcom announced the success of the first Wi-Fi 7 cross-vendor demonstration. Using an Intel laptop and a Broadcom access point, the over-the-air speed is said to have reached 5 Gbps. Intel claimed that this will benefit multi-gigabit internet plan subscribers where increased speeds and low latency enable them to optimise a large number of connected internet of things (IoT) devices.

Why it’s Important

The newest Wi-Fi standard, Wi-Fi 7, is yet to be released. However, this early cross-vendor success is a strong indication of the future of wireless technology. Wi-Fi 7 builds on existing Wi-Fi 6E technology. Vendors tout Wi-Fi 7 as improving augmented and virtual reality by delivering higher media resolutions. Another benefit is a reduction in latency of (up to 100 times) compared to Wi-Fi 6E, by permitting smaller data packets to be relayed simultaneously to more devices.

Wi-Fi 7-certified devices are expected to be announced by vendors a few months earlier from when the standard is officially launched in 2024.

Who’s impacted

• CEO
• Procurement teams
• IT teams

What’s Next?

• While waiting for Wi-Fi 7’s release and investing in Wi-Fi 7-certified devices, enterprises must ensure that a secure and reliable network is everywhere and invisible, using a software-managed Wi-Fi infrastructure. 
• Intensify security awareness training for remote working staff to focus on physical security such as using a privacy screen, limiting work on confidential material in public spaces and securing physical computing assets. This will help prepare a more robust zero trust culture as Wi-Fi 7 is adopted in two years.

Additional Reading

• Building a High-Performance Hybrid Working Environment in the Post-COVID Era
• Cyber security considerations for COVID-19
• Embracing security evolution with zero trust networking