Should I get a Wi-Fi 7 router?

Most enterprise environments don’t need to rush into upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7 router just yet. Despite all the hype surrounding Wi-Fi 7 routers, they aren't quite ready to transform your network overnight, and we’ll explain why.

Let’s go over:

• What a Wi-Fi 7 router is, and why it’s important
• The answers to a few burning questions businesses may have regarding Wi-Fi 7
• The challenges (and their solutions) when it comes to a Wi-Fi 7 upgrade
• How to future-proof your network without the need for Wi-Fi 7
• If you should or shouldn’t wait to invest in Wi-Fi 7 and related devices
• How Meter can eliminate any long-term worries you may have on the topic of Wi-Fi routers, with our NaaS solution

What is a Wi-Fi 7 router, and why is it important?

A Wi-Fi 7 router is the latest generation of wireless networking equipment designed to provide faster speeds, reduced latency, and handle more devices simultaneously. It theoretically offers speeds up to 46 Gbps, but actual router speeds vary, with some top-rated routers offering speeds of up to 27 Gbps in practical use​.

The new routers use features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) to manage traffic across multiple frequency bands at once, aiming to improve network efficiency. Despite the advancements, Wi-Fi 7 is still largely untested in real-world scenarios. Most businesses won't fully benefit from its capabilities until more compatible devices are available.

Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6 differ significantly in several areas:

• Speed: Wi-Fi 7 theoretically offers speeds up to 46 Gbps, which is nearly five times faster than Wi-Fi 6's 9.6 Gbps. However, these speeds are ideal conditions and unlikely to be fully realized in practical environments.
• Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Wi-Fi 7’s MLO enables devices to transmit and receive data across the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands simultaneously, resulting in more efficient data transmission and reduced network congestion​. Wi-Fi 6 connects to one band at a time, limiting flexibility.
• Channel width: Wi-Fi 7 supports up to 320 MHz channel bandwidth exclusively in the 6 GHz band, providing twice the throughput compared to Wi-Fi 6, but only in countries that allow access to this spectrum.
• Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM): Wi-Fi 7’s 4K-QAM offers a 20% increase in data transmission efficiency compared to Wi-Fi 6's 1024-QAM, theoretically contributing to higher performance and throughput.
• MU-MIMO improvements: Both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 use MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output), but Wi-Fi 7 expands MU-MIMO from 8 streams to 16, enhancing the network's ability to manage more simultaneous connections effectively in high-density environments.

While these differences suggest Wi-Fi 7 has superior capabilities, the real-world benefits may not be immediately noticeable for most businesses until more compatible devices and use cases emerge.

Why does this matter?

Wi-Fi 7's features hold significant potential for high-density environments due to the demands on networks from numerous connected devices. Faster speeds up to 46 Gbps could benefit enterprises with heavy data requirements, like video conferencing or large data transfers.

MLO helps reduce network congestion by allowing simultaneous use of multiple frequency bands. This feature could be beneficial in warehouses or campuses where multiple devices operate continuously.

However, most current devices can't take advantage of these capabilities, and Wi-Fi 6 still manages high-density needs effectively. It’s wise to wait until Wi-Fi 7 becomes more proven and supported.

Burning questions regarding Wi-Fi 7 routers and your business

If you're considering Wi-Fi 7 for your business, it's natural to have questions. Many enterprise environments want to know if the promised speed and capabilities will genuinely impact their network or if it's just another technology buzzword.

Before jumping into an upgrade, it's essential to break down whether Wi-Fi 7’s advantages align with your current needs, how it differs from what you already have, and if your infrastructure can even take full advantage of it.

Is Wi-Fi 7 necessary for my current network?

Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 right now often feels like more hype than necessity. Many businesses won’t notice a significant improvement over Wi-Fi 6. Before making the leap, consider how well your current network performs. Is your existing setup struggling with high traffic or multiple connections? If not, upgrading may be unnecessary.

Wi-Fi 6 still handles high-density environments efficiently. A stable Wi-Fi 6 network, when properly configured, addresses most enterprise needs. Simply put, if your current infrastructure is reliable, Wi-Fi 7 isn't going to be the magic fix some claim it to be.

When would Wi-Fi 7 make a difference?

Wi-Fi 7 could make a noticeable impact in a few specific scenarios:

• Large-scale office environments: Networks with hundreds or thousands of devices—think large corporate headquarters or multi-floor buildings—may benefit from Wi-Fi 7’s enhanced multi-device handling. The increased bandwidth helps maintain smooth connections across densely populated spaces.
• Mission-critical operations: In industries like financial trading, medical facilities, or video editing, where milliseconds matter, Wi-Fi 7’s ultra-low latency can provide an edge in performance, reducing lag in real-time applications.
• IoT-heavy environments: Warehouses, manufacturing plants, or smart offices packed with sensors, cameras, and smart devices might find Wi-Fi 7’s improved device capacity valuable for handling large data streams simultaneously.

However, it’s worth noting that these benefits are only evident if your devices and infrastructure fully support Wi-Fi 7. For many businesses, sticking with a well-optimized Wi-Fi 6 setup will still serve their needs efficiently.

Is your Internet connection even fast enough?

Consider whether your Internet connection can even keep up with what Wi-Fi 7 offers. Most ISPs don't provide speeds that fully tap into Wi-Fi 7's capabilities. For example, if your ISP caps at 1 Gbps, upgrading to a Wi-Fi 7 router won't magically boost your Internet speed beyond that limit.

Your internal network might see improvements in handling more devices simultaneously, but the actual speed you experience online will still be tied to your ISP's bandwidth. Investing in Wi-Fi 7 only makes sense if your connection matches its high-speed potential.

What are the challenges with upgrading to Wi-Fi 7?

Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 isn't as straightforward as swapping out a router. The technology is still in its early stages, and jumping on board now comes with several hurdles.

Limited device compatibility

Most devices in use today aren’t equipped to handle Wi-Fi 7, making an upgrade feel premature. Though a Wi-Fi 7 router is designed to be backwards compatible, even if you invest in a top-of-the-line device, it won’t deliver the expected benefits until your laptops, smartphones, and other equipment can actually connect using Wi-Fi 7 standards.

Spending money now means you’re essentially buying tech that’s ahead of its time, without immediate returns. Focusing on refining your current Wi-Fi 6 setup is a smarter move, allowing you to squeeze out more performance from devices you already own.

Cost of early adoption

Wi-Fi 7 devices come with high price tags—typical for new technology. Early adopters always pay more, and initial firmware might still have bugs.

Instead of shelling out thousands for a technology that’s still maturing, you’d gain more by investing in quality access points that integrate well with your existing network. Doing this stretches your current infrastructure's lifespan and avoids the inevitable price drop that happens once Wi-Fi 7 becomes more mainstream.

Network complexity and infrastructure overhaul

Enterprises with multiple access points, switches, and structured cabling may need significant overhauls. The real headache emerges when integrating Wi-Fi 7 with legacy infrastructure, which might lead to incompatibilities or even require new cabling.

Rather than uprooting your entire network, enhance what you have by optimizing your current configurations or adding more access points where needed. This ensures consistent performance without diving into a full-scale upgrade.

Minimal real-world speed gains

Wi-Fi 7’s advertised speeds sound impressive, but most enterprise setups won’t experience the full benefit due to ISP limitations. Your Internet connection might not support multi-gigabit speeds, making Wi-Fi 7's capabilities feel like overkill.

It’s more practical to optimize your existing infrastructure with better cabling, placement, and configurations than banking on speeds that can’t even be delivered yet.

Potential interference and signal challenges

Wider channels in Wi-Fi 7 can lead to increased interference, especially in environments crowded with other wireless networks. Instead of hoping that Wi-Fi 7 will somehow fix interference issues, a strategic approach with Wi-Fi 6 involves site surveys, channel planning, and dynamic interference management. You’ll find that most interference problems are solvable with proper planning, without needing to switch to Wi-Fi 7.

Security vulnerabilities and lack of firmware maturity

As with any emerging technology, Wi-Fi 7's security protocols are still in their infancy. Early adopters often face the risk of unpatched vulnerabilities or firmware bugs. Relying on an established Wi-Fi 6 setup allows for a more secure and tested environment, with mature firmware and security protocols already in place, reducing risks to your business operations.

Vendor lock-in and lack of interoperability

Wi-Fi 7’s proprietary features might lock you into a single vendor’s ecosystem, limiting your flexibility. If you go all-in on a single brand, future upgrades become both costly and restricted. Staying with Wi-Fi 6 gives you broader compatibility and more freedom to mix and match devices from different manufacturers, avoiding the trap of vendor lock-in.

Limited support and expertise

Wi-Fi 7 is new, which means there’s a lack of seasoned experts available to troubleshoot issues. Waiting until the technology matures means you’ll have more resources and support to help manage your network when you eventually upgrade.

Sticking with your Wi-Fi 6 setup ensures you have access to a broad pool of experienced professionals who can maintain and optimize your network efficiently.

How can I future-proof my network without Wi-Fi 7?

Instead of rushing into Wi-Fi 7, there are practical steps you can take to maximize your current network's potential and prepare for future demands. Here’s a detailed look at how to get the most out of your existing setup:

1. Enhance performance with existing Wi-Fi standards

Wi-Fi 6 already offers impressive capabilities that many networks haven’t fully tapped into yet. Optimization here can deliver significant improvements:

• Channel selection: Assess your network’s environment to choose the least congested channels. Tools like a Wi-Fi analyzer can help identify which channels have the least interference, reducing congestion and improving speeds.
• Power level adjustments: Calibrate the power levels of your access points. Too much power can cause overlapping signals and interference, while too little may create coverage gaps. Adjusting this ensures balanced coverage without unnecessary interference.
• Fine-tune channel width: Larger channel widths (80 MHz, 160 MHz) offer more bandwidth but can be susceptible to interference, especially in crowded environments. Sometimes, narrowing the channel width improves overall performance, especially in high-density areas.
• Transmit power control: Avoid setting all access points to max power. Instead, use a dynamic power setting to match your coverage needs, minimizing signal overlap and ensuring efficient device handoff between access points.
• Load balancing: Spread your devices across multiple access points to prevent any single one from becoming a bottleneck, ensuring consistent performance even when many users are connected.

2. Expand coverage with access points

If coverage gaps or device density issues are affecting performance, strategically adding access points can solve these without an expensive upgrade:

• Place access points where they’re needed most: Conduct a site survey to identify dead zones or areas with high device concentration. Proper placement prevents coverage overlap and minimizes interference.
• Meter’s access point options: Instead of replacing everything with a Wi-Fi 7 router, consider augmenting your current setup with Meter's access points. They offer the flexibility to scale up as your network grows, without requiring a full overhaul.
• Mesh network integration: For larger areas, integrating a mesh network using additional access points creates seamless coverage, allowing devices to switch between access points without a drop in performance.

3. Prioritize traffic with Quality of Service (QoS)

QoS is your tool for managing network traffic smartly, ensuring critical business functions always have priority over less important tasks:

• Identify your priority applications: Determine which services (VoIP, video conferencing, or cloud-based applications) require guaranteed bandwidth and set them to high priority in your QoS settings.
• Classify traffic types: Break down your network traffic by type (e.g., voice, video, data) and apply QoS rules accordingly. Prioritize latency-sensitive applications to reduce lag, while deprioritizing less critical traffic like file downloads or non-essential streaming.
• Bandwidth allocation: Distribute bandwidth dynamically to different services based on need. This prevents a single application from hogging resources, ensuring smooth performance across the network.

Additional tips for future-proofing include:

• Regular firmware updates: Keeping your current routers and access points updated ensures you have the latest features, security patches, and performance optimizations, extending the life of your existing equipment.
• Monitor network performance: Utilize network management tools to track usage patterns and identify potential issues before they escalate. This proactive approach helps you make data-driven decisions on whether and when to upgrade.

Should I wait for Wi-Fi 7 devices or invest now?

Wi-Fi 7’s potential is making waves in the networking world, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right time to dive in. Understanding whether to wait or invest hinges on evaluating your current and future needs, weighing the costs, and assessing the practicalities of adopting a technology that’s still finding its footing.

Who should consider waiting for Wi-Fi 7

For some businesses, Wi-Fi 7 may be worth waiting for, particularly if you work with data-intensive applications that genuinely push the limits of your current setup.

Companies handling high-resolution video editing, animation, or other media production could find value in the increased speed and reduced latency Wi-Fi 7 promises. With large files moving across the network frequently, every second saved counts.

However, before jumping in, it’s worth asking whether a wired connection still offers a more reliable and cost-effective solution. Wi-Fi 7's theoretical speeds may look impressive, but it's real-world performance remains to be seen.

Industries that rely on real-time data analytics, such as financial trading or healthcare, may eventually benefit from Wi-Fi 7’s lower latency and higher throughput. However, the infrastructure to support these benefits, like compatible devices and applications, is still catching up. Before investing, consider whether your current Wi-Fi 6 setup is already meeting latency requirements effectively.

Who can hold off on Wi-Fi 7 for now

Most businesses can afford to wait before making the switch. If your current network isn’t showing signs of strain, there’s no need to rush into the next big thing.

If your existing Wi-Fi 6 network provides stable, reliable connections, then upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 won’t suddenly transform your operations. Wi-Fi 6 already offers significant improvements over older standards, and most enterprise environments won’t hit the limits of what it can handle anytime soon. You’re better off optimizing what you already have.

Companies that don’t push heavy data loads through their networks won’t notice much difference with Wi-Fi 7. The investment would be hard to justify when your current setup can already handle video calls, cloud applications, and file sharing without any hiccups. Waiting until the technology becomes more accessible and affordable will save you from unnecessary costs.

Considerations before upgrading

Making a decision requires looking at more than just the potential benefits. Think about what it means for your budget, network stability, and the impact on your day-to-day operations.

Early adopters will face higher prices, not just for the routers but also for any compatible devices that enter the market. Allocating your budget to optimize your existing network infrastructure might provide better value, especially when considering the incremental benefits you’re likely to see.

Wi-Fi 6 is a proven technology with well-established stability, making it a safe and reliable option, whereas Wi-Fi 7, on the other hand, is still relatively new. Bugs, firmware updates, and potential compatibility issues can disrupt your operations. Allow time for the technology to mature before integrating it into a critical business environment.

Upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 could mean a significant overhaul of your network, which might involve:

• Downtime
• Retraining your IT team
• Adjusting network settings to accommodate new hardware

Unless there’s a clear, immediate advantage to making the switch, the disruption might outweigh any potential benefits, especially if your current network meets your operational demands.

Let Meter eliminate your long-term upgrade worries with NaaS

Future-proofing your network doesn’t always mean chasing the latest tech like a Wi-Fi 7 router—sometimes, it's about optimizing and building on what you already have. That being said, when our Wi-Fi 7 access points launch in Spring 2025, we will effortlessly transition your network without requiring a full investment from your end.

Meter’s Network as a Service (NaaS) model lets you focus on what matters without constantly worrying about staying up-to-date. Our end-to-end scalable solutions handle the hardware, installation, and management, giving your IT team the freedom to focus on other priorities.

Features you can expect from Meter’s NaaS solution regarding Wi-Fi 7:

• Automatic Wi-Fi 7 upgrades: When Meter launches Wi-Fi 7 access points, your network will automatically be upgraded, saving you from the hassle of buying new equipment.
• Scalable network design: Meter’s network designs adapt to your growing needs, whether you’re ready for Wi-Fi 7 now or plan to be in the future.
• Expert consultation: Meter provides guidance on when and how to implement Wi-Fi 7 without overcommitting your budget or infrastructure.
• End-to-end management: Hardware, installation, and ongoing maintenance are handled, reducing the burden on your IT team.
• Optimized coverage: Access points are strategically placed for maximum performance, making your transition to Wi-Fi 7 smooth when the time comes.

For a more in-depth look at what our NaaS solution can offer your business, schedule a demo.