From its inception to where it is now, no one could have predicted the role WiFi would play in our societal growth. With simple radio frequency hops at its foundation, to the adjustments for multiple device connectivity, wireless technology is ever-essential for everything that keeps us going. In this blog article, we examine how WiFi has grown into the giant it is today. From the beginning to now, WiFi technology has adapted to the needs of the time.
Where it all started
Hedy Lemarr: the “Mother of WiFi”
Famous actress and part-time inventor Hedy Lemarr pioneered the technology that would one day be the basis for today’s WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth comms systems. Always curious about making machines better, Lemarr's early inventions were upgrading spotlights and developing a tablet that dissolved in water to make a soda similar to Coca-Cola. However, her biggest invention came during the time America entered WWII. Interested in assisting the war efforts, Lemarr wanted to develop military technology.
The technology involved “frequency hopping” amongst radio waves, like the ones used in microwaves at the time, with both transmitter and receiver hopping to new frequencies, allowing for torpedoes to find their intended targets with more precision.
She was awarded a patent in 1942, even though it ended up not being implemented by the Navy at the time. It wasn’t until 1997 that Lemarr and her associate were recognised by the public for their contribution to this new technology, as the ISM Band (created for the exclusive use of industrial, scientific, and medical radio frequencies) was widely being used- which we now know to be the 2.4GHz frequency.
The Rise of WiFi
1997: Standardisation of WiFi
In 1997, the first WiFi standard was developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, from which the name IEEE 802.11 derives. This standard allowed for the transfer of data at 1Mbps.
1999: The emergence of WiFi Alliance
In 1999, the introduction of IEEE 802.11b (or WiFi 1) brought 11Mbps of speed and operated on the 2.4GHz bandwidth. This to us seems like a very slow speed, but at the time, there were no WiFi-enabled mobile devices and very few laptops, so this speed was sufficient.
As this new technology came to light, the Wi-Fi Alliance formed. They are a global non-profit industry association with around 800 member companies that research and develop WLAN technologies. Some of the companies that support this association include Apple, Cisco Systems, Intel, Microsoft, and others. They drive WiFi adoption and evolution globally with industry-wide collaboration, leadership in the industry, and advocacy to deliver to the WiFi users security, interoperability, and reliability. The goal of the WiFi Alliance was to enhance this original standard with higher data rates and faster speeds.
The WiFi Alliance came up with the name WiFi as a commercial brand and created the more simplified names that would later come (WiFi 4, WiFi 5 and WiFi 6 and so on) to allow the everyday user to familiarise themselves with the different WiFi standards.
1999: Steve Jobs runs a hula-hoop through a laptop
This was however until Steve Jobs presented the first-ever WiFi-enabled laptop, the iBook. That same year of 1999, Apple presented this new device, displaying how the power of wireless technology could now be used by anybody - anybody who could afford an iBook at the time of course (US$1,599 (equivalent to $2,484 in 2020)) - with an infamous action: moving a hula-hoop through the laptop to prove the true wireless nature of the device. Original video of that moment here:
2002: Technological improvements with each generation
By 2002, WiFi speeds were already up to 54Mbps on the 2.4GHz frequency band, with the introduction of 802.11a (WiFi 2) and 802.11g (WiFi 3). This was in response to the now growing introduction of WiFi-enabled laptops and mobile devices, for which more and more consumers were getting their hands on.
In 2009, WiFi 802.11n (or WiFi 4) was developed following the introduction of the Apple iPhone and other smartphones, allowing the possibility of connectivity for multiple devices without compromising speeds, and adding a new frequency band simultaneously (2.4GHz and 5GHz) with speeds of up to 600Mbps* Theoretically up to 4 x 150Mbps per antenna!
Smartphones: The Game Changers
Impact of smartphone generalisation and multiplication of devices per capita
The introduction of smartphones and multiple WiFi-enabled devices forced WiFi technology to make a huge leap, moving us into the modern era from the single-input single-output (SISO) radio to the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radio.
In 2013, WiFi 802.11ac (WiFi 5) debuted, designed for dual-band connectivity and offering theoretical speeds of up to 3.5Gbps. While this standard became widely adopted, it has since been phased out in favour of newer technologies like WiFi 6 and 7.
WiFi today
What’s up with WiFi 7?
As of 2025, WiFi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) is the most advanced standard available, representing a major leap forward in speed, reliability, and performance. With theoretical speeds of up to 40Gbps, WiFi 7 enables seamless support for high-bandwidth applications such as 4K/8K video streaming, immersive AR/VR experiences, and cloud-based collaboration.
WiFi 7 introduces key technologies such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to connect across multiple frequency bands at once—minimising latency and improving resilience. It also supports wider 320MHz channels and 4096-QAM modulation, allowing for far greater data throughput.
This is particularly beneficial for business settings, where uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity is critical. Hotels can offer guests a seamless digital experience with fast and reliable access in every room and common area. Retailers benefit from flawless performance for their POS systems, mobile checkout solutions, and dynamic digital signage. Warehouses can streamline logistics operations with consistent connectivity for scanners, automated inventory systems, and robotics. Meanwhile, offices are better equipped to support hybrid work environments, high-quality video conferencing, and extensive IoT ecosystems—all with reduced latency and greater efficiency.
A look back at WiFi 6 and 6E
Although WiFi 7 is the current benchmark, it's worth remembering how WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E (extended) laid the foundation for today’s wireless landscape.
WiFi 6 (802.11ax), certified in 2019, brought theoretical bandwidths of up to 9.6Gbps. Its strengths included better performance in dense environments, support for more IoT devices, and energy-saving features like Target Wake Time—critical for reducing energy consumption in smart devices and access points.
WiFi 6E expanded on this by introducing a third frequency band—6GHz—alongside the familiar 2.4GHz and 5GHz. This tripled the available spectrum, reduced congestion, and delivered cleaner, faster connections, especially in environments with many competing devices.
Together, WiFi 6 and 6E bridged the gap between early high-speed networks and the high-capacity, ultra-fast systems we rely on today.
What standard does your business need?
WiFi standards have evolved in tandem with the growing demands of users—at home, in business, and across industries. Choosing the right WiFi technology is essential for delivering fast, reliable internet to guests, residents, employees, or automated systems.
Read more about choosing WiFi standards here
However, not every business needs the latest WiFi standard technology to be efficient in their operations, but knowing what type of usage your guests, residents, or employees want can make the difference in your decision. At Wifirst, we are able to tailor to your needs and objectives in order to choose the WiFi standard best suited to your business. To do this, start a conversation with one of our representatives now.
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