MediaTek Unveils Wi-Fi 8 White Paper – Daily – Business Times

MediaTek Unveils Wi-Fi 8 White Paper – Daily – Business Times

November 25, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor News

Wi-Fi 7 vs. Wi-Fi 8: Key Comparisons

Wi-Fi 7 is still growing in popularity. MediaTek recently released a white paper on Wi-Fi 8. This paper focuses on wearable devices like mixed reality (MR) and extended reality (XR). It highlights opportunities for integrating virtual and real business needs. Experts note that communication chips must adhere to various country regulations. There are also expectations that major chip manufacturers favor MediaTek’s Wi-Fi 8 front-end module (FEM).

Wi-Fi 8 is different from Wi-Fi 7. While both offer unlimited bandwidth and similar channels, Wi-Fi 8 prioritizes switching between client devices. Industry insiders say Wi-Fi 7 will launch fully next year. Companies that adopt Wi-Fi 7 in their product lines this year may see the iPhone 17 using this technology as well. Wi-Fi 7 chips are expected to evolve significantly within three years.

Wireless communication technology is advancing quickly. Companies that establish standards early can capture significant market share.

Both the Wi-Fi Alliance and MediaTek report a growing number of broadband users. There are around 650 million broadband users in their region, with over 25% enjoying a 1Gbps connection at home. The average connection speed has risen to 487.6 Mbps, an increase of 18% year over year.

Developing wireless standards takes a lot of time, typically about six years, and requires substantial investments from hardware and chip manufacturers. For Wi-Fi 8, MediaTek suggests that while it offers similar bandwidth to Wi-Fi 7, it enhances device interactions with multiple access points. However, widespread use of Wi-Fi 8 is not expected until time estimates decrease.

Liji, a Taiwanese radio frequency chip maker, reports that its Wi-Fi 8 solution is attracting major international manufacturers. Major chip makers initially introduced Wi-Fi 7 designs to enhance its presence in smartphones and drive revenue. Liji anticipates orders for Wi-Fi 7 FEM in the first half of next year. Product prices for Wi-Fi 7 are expected to be 2.5 to 3 times higher than Wi-Fi 6.

Supply chain insiders predict the first Wi-Fi 8 applications in wearable devices, like AR and XR, may debut in early 2028. For this to happen, groundbreaking products such as the iPhone 16 will need significant advancements, creating a chance to boost market penetration.