Is it time to update your Wi-Fi?

If your business still relies on Wi-Fi 5 or even earlier standards, then it's time to ask the question…

Is your wireless network keeping up with the demands of your users and applications?

With the rise of hybrid work, video conferencing and IoT devices, it has been a long time since wireless networks were simply secondary methods of connectivity; they are a critical component for your business. Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are two major leaps that could transform your business connectivity.

Let’s explore some of the highlights of what these technologies offer and whether now is the right time to upgrade.

 

What’s new in Wi-Fi 6E?

Wi-Fi 6E builds on the existing Wi-Fi 6 standard but adds access to the 6 GHz band, a huge jump from the traditional 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Why does this matter?

• More Bandwidth: The 6 GHz band provides up to 1,200 MHz of additional spectrum, reducing congestion and interference, especially in high-density environments.
   
• Faster Speeds: With more spectrum and wider channels (up to 160 MHz), Wi-Fi 6E supports higher throughput, ideal for large file transfers and real-time collaboration at scale.
   
• Lower Latency: Less interference leads to improved latency and jitter and makes a big difference for real-time applications such as VoIP or conferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

The additional 6GHz band enabled with Wi-Fi 6E gives your wireless network such much-needed capacity, especially in high-density office buildings, hotels, warehouses or schools where dozens or hundreds of devices compete for airspace.

 

What about Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be or “Extremely High Throughput”, is the latest generation. It takes the improvements included in Wi-Fi 6/6E and takes a major leap forward, particularly when it comes to performance. Here’s just some of the developments included in Wi-Fi 7:

• Even Faster Speeds: Theoretical speeds up to 46 Gbps, this is a huge thanks to 320 MHz channel width and advanced modulation (4K QAM).
   
• Multi-Link Operation (MLO): Probably the standout feature, utilising MLO devices can transmit and receive across multiple bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) simultaneously for faster and more reliable connections.
   
• More Efficient Spectrum Use: Enhanced scheduling and coordination to reduce interference in dense environments.

With Wi-Fi 7, you are ensuring your business is ready for not only today's but also any future requirements. Even if your current applications don’t require its maximum speed, deploying Wi-Fi 7 ensures your network will scale as demands increase.

 

Wait, there is more!

We are only scratching the surface of what these new standards bring, especially if your network only supports standards earlier than Wi-Fi 6; there are security enhancements with WPA3, better power efficiency with Target Wake Time (TWT), MU-MIMO, and we could go on.

Should your business upgrade now?

Here’s a quick framework to help you decide whether you should start a conversation:

• Your current network is 3+ years old.
   
• You’ve experienced poor performance, including slow connectivity or poor call quality.
   
• You're adopting more cloud, video, or real-time applications.
   
• You have high user density, meaning a large number of devices per wireless access point.
   
• You’re building or updating your space and want the latest and future-proof infrastructure.

 

 

Final thoughts

Wi-Fi is now mission-critical infrastructure; poor performance doesn't just mean slower downloads, it impacts collaboration, customer service, productivity and much more. Wi-Fi 6E was officially released in 2021. It was a great development, but Wi-Fi 7 offers the ultimate in speed and reliability.

At Innovaro, we can offer tailored solutions from leading vendors like Cisco, including Meraki and Catalyst, which will further improve your infrastructure beyond the developments included in Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

End-user devices are already Wi-Fi 7-enabled. Is your infrastructure ready, or is it getting left behind?

Need help assessing your wireless infrastructure or planning an upgrade? Reach out to Innovaro to discuss what makes sense for your business. We are ready to help with all aspects of Wi-Fi planning, design and implementation.