Qualcomm Extends Connectivity Leadership with World’s First and Fastest Wi-Fi 7 Commercial Solution


Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., today announced the world’s most advanced Wi-Fi + Bluetooth connectivity system in the industry: FastConnect 7800. This advanced client connectivity solution marries the power of high-speed, ultra-low latency Wi-Fi with the latest Wi-Fi 7 specification and deploys an array of Bluetooth audio advancements that raise the bar on consumer expectations for sound quality. FastConnect 7800 leads the industry with the introduction of High Band Simultaneous (HBS) Multi-Link technology – the premium capability for Wi-Fi 7 networks that unlocks the vast potential of multiple 5 GHz and 6 GHz connections to deliver the highest throughput and lowest sustained latency, while reserving high-traffic 2.4 GHz spectrum for Bluetooth and lower-bandwidth Wi-Fi.

“With FastConnect 7800, Qualcomm Technologies reasserts its leadership by defining the future of wireless connectivity. Introducing the first Wi-Fi 7 solution to the industry might be enough for some, but with the introduction of HBS Multi-Link we take performance to the next level, shattering expectations for speed and latency,” said Dino Bekis, vice president and general manager, Mobile Compute and Connectivity, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Coupled with up to 50% lower power consumption and Intelligent Dual Bluetooth with advanced Snapdragon Sound capabilities, FastConnect 7800 is simply the best client connectivity offering in the industry.”

High Band Simultaneous Technology Leadership
HBS Multi-Link is a signature Wi-Fi 7 implementation in FastConnect 7800 that simultaneously leverages two Wi-Fi radios for four streams of high band connectivity in 5 GHz and/or 6 GHz bands. FastConnect 7800 supports all multi-link modes and with HBS Multi-Link, consumers can experience minimized latency and interference, jitter-free connections, and blazing fast speeds using 320 MHz channels in increasingly available 6 GHz spectrum, or 240 MHz channels of globally available 5 GHz spectrum.

4-Stream Dual-Band Simultaneous (DBS), is extended into the high bands and can bring immediate benefit in today’s networks. It builds on renowned Qualcomm 4-Stream DBS (2×2 + 2×2) with 5 and/or 6 GHz Wi-Fi links used in concert for extreme low latency performance between access point and client or independently for multi-client scenarios. For instance, a mobile device connecting to a Wi-Fi 6/6E access point (for 2×2 backhaul in high band spectrum) can concurrently connect to an XR headset (for 2×2 fronthaul also in high band spectrum), free from low-bandwidth and congestions of the 2.4 GHz band.

Advanced Bluetooth Audio

FastConnect 7800 supercharges Snapdragon Sound, Bluetooth LE Audio and Bluetooth 5.3 with next-generation Intelligent Dual Bluetooth – two radios with enhanced connections, enabling Bluetooth accessories to work up to twice the range, to pair in half the time, and makes changing a Bluetooth connection from smartphone to PC or earbuds to an automobile’s hand-free system instant and effortless. Using FastConnect 7800, Bluetooth devices will be able to stream high-bandwidth, immersive music using Snapdragon Sound while also providing robust, responsive connections to game controllers and/or other input devices.

Quotes

“With fast-evolving lifestyles, high-speed and reliable connectivity is an integral part of the user experience, whether working from home or on-the-go,” said James Lin, General Manager, Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Qualcomm has been an innovative leader in mobile connectivity solutions, and we look forward to continuing our work together to deliver superior experiences for the modern world.”

“Demand for connectivity has been increasing exponentially and variety of experiences and need for data will continue to drive it further. Qualcomm has a long history of delivering top-notch connectivity solutions, we are proud to collaborate with them to drive the next generation of wi-Fi solutions” said Bryan Chang, General Manager of the ASUS Phone business unit.

“In the past year, HONOR has cooperated with Qualcomm to bring users a variety of products with good connectivity. We are very impressed with Qualcomm’s continuous efforts in connection technology and believe that the release of FastConnect 7800 is a new opportunity for the industry. We look forward to creating better wireless connectivity for consumers with Qualcomm,” said Li Kun, General Manager, Magic Series Business, HONOR Device Co., Ltd.

“Fast connectivity is crucial to bringing immersive experiences and the metaverse to life, today and in the future,” said Bruno Cendon Martin, Sr. Director of Wireless Technologies, Reality Labs at Meta. “We’re excited about the possibilities the Wi-Fi 7 standard will help unlock and congratulate Qualcomm Technologies on the upcoming launch of FastConnect 7800.”

“In our always-on world, the need to have the fastest, uninterrupted connectivity is growing by the day,” said Billy Zhang, Vice President, Overseas Sales and Service, OPPO. “We are proud to collaborate with Qualcomm and to deliver groundbreaking connected experiences to our users around the world.”

“At present, the exceptional speed, ultra-low latency and robust connection are critical for the immersive mobile experience expected by users. The FastConnect 7800 Mobile Connectivity System introduced by Qualcomm Technologies represents the advanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity technologies in the industry, and makes new breakthroughs in multiple aspects,” said Davis Li, Director of GCloud Product Center, IEG, Tencent. “We look forward to continuing our in-depth collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, to bring an even higher-quality gaming experience to gamers.”

“The need for high-speed connectivity is essential for the ‘work from anywhere lifestyle’ that many have come to live,” said Yujian Shi, Senior Vice President & CTO at vivo. “With video conferencing, messaging and email at the forefront of today’s daily work needs, we know that Qualcomm’s FastConnect capabilities will be the key to unlocking premium wireless connectivity for all users – no matter where they are.”

“Qualcomm continues to anticipate and predict the needs of connectivity from the consumer,” Lei Zhang, Vice President of Mi Smartphone. “Now with FastConnect, all of our users will be able to not only enjoy faster connected experience, but also know their connection is reliable when they need it most. At Xiaomi are happy to work with Qualcomm to continue to deliver the best solutions.”

FastConnect 7800 Specifications

FastConnect 7800 builds upon the latest in Wi-Fi standards while maintaining backwards compatibility with all prior-generation Wi-Fi devices. Key Wi-Fi features include:

  • Peak speed: 5.8 Gbps (via single 320 MHz or paired 160 MHz channels) or 4.3 Gbps where 6 GHz spectrum may not be available.
  • Sustained low latency: less than 2 ms
  • Key Wi-Fi Features:
    • Multi-Link
    • 4-Stream DBS extended into the high bands
    • Full Wi-Fi 7 feature support, expected to be the first Wi-Fi 7 solution to ship in commercial products
  • Spectrum support: 5 GHz, 6 GHz, as well as 2.4 GHz
  • Battery life: system enhancements drive 30-50% power savings for the most demanding sustained Wi-Fi use cases
  • Modulation: 4K QAM
  • Standards: 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7 – certification expected upon program launch), 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6), 802.11ac Wave 2, 802.11a/b/g/n), 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 6), 802.11ac Wave 2, 802.11a/b/g/n.

Key Bluetooth features include:

  • Bluetooth 5.3, LE Audio and ANT+ support
  • Dual Bluetooth support
  • Snapdragon Sound technology to deliver:
    • 16-bit 44.1kHz CD Lossless Bluetooth audio quality
    • 24-bit 96kHz high resolution Bluetooth audio quality
    • 32kHz super wideband voice support for crystal clear calls
    • Gaming mode, with 68 ms low latency audio for lag-free gaming and a voice channel for in game chat
    • Stereo recording for creators, enabling recorded content with stereo sound
    • Robust connectivity even in very busy RF environments
  • LE Audio for personal audio sharing and broadcast for listeners to share streams or join others

Qualcomm Technologies’ one-technology roadmap and foundational technologies intelligently connect the solutions that drive the digital transformation and deliver premium experiences. Devices using all key capabilities of FastConnect 7800 along with those of Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF Systems and Qualcomm RF Front-End conform with the new ‘Snapdragon Connect’ badge – which highlights the use of the best connectivity technologies available in Snapdragon Platforms.