MU-MIMO stands for multi-user, multiple input and multiple output. Qualcomm spent the last seven years developing it, which means it is no gimmick. This is what makes it different – Wi-Fi access points can serve one user at a time, while MU-MIMO should allow multiple users to use it at the same time. This is good news for pub lovers.

Qualcomm compares MU-MIMO to a carpool lane on the highway. It is not adding bandwidth, it is just organising traffic in a much more efficient way, allowing better utilisation of existing standards. The end result is impressive. Qualcomm says MU-MIMO can speed up network speeds by a factor of two to three. Much of that can be attained on current generation devices.

Of course, MU-MIMO is not ready for prime time yet. The company hopes to ship the first chips by the first quarter of 2015, roughly a year from now.