Wi-Fi 7 promises made, but not kept — the mysteries of MLO and AFC, and looking toward Wi-Fi 8

Wi-Fi 7's promises of enhanced performance and reliability compared to its predecessors have not been fully realized in consumer routers due to limited support for its advanced features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC). MLO aims to optimize connection speeds by allowing devices to switch between different bands seamlessly, while AFC boosts performance on the 6 GHz band. However, the implementation of these features in routers is inconsistent, and compatibility with older devices is limited. Wi-Fi 8, set to launch in late 2027, offers incremental improvements over Wi-Fi 7, focusing on Ultra High Reliability (UHR) and features like Coordinated Spatial Reuse and Enhanced Modulation Coding Scheme to enhance network efficiency and reduce latency.