What is the goal of the change?
The accelerated adoption of WiFi 7 is driven by a greater focus on multi-gigabit switches and the ongoing integration of network security. Customers, primarily small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), are choosing WiFi 7 for its superior bandwidth, low latency, and the added investment protection it provides to future-proof their operations. Small and medium-sized businesses are seeing an increase in the number of connected devices, so WiFi 7 offers improved connection quality (less interference and congestion, and greater privacy).
WiFi 7 offers immediate benefits for increasing connection volume and provides consistent, reliable performance to all users in expanding areas. Because the cost difference between WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 is small, most businesses are naturally opting for the newer standard, as they perceive it as more future-proof and offering a better return on investment.
A system in full expansion
For the average user, WiFi 7 introduces innovative features to deliver greater capacity, lower latency, and longer range. It not only meets the demands of today's high bandwidth consumption but also accelerates the development of emerging technologies such as immersive AR/VR, online gaming, and AI-based applications. In this regard, Zyxel highlights how artificial intelligence is driving innovation in SMEs, including from a cybersecurity perspective, with the goal of protecting business environments both inside and outside the office.
Furthermore, the massive volume of traffic flowing across all networks is now driving the adoption of switches with ports that can support multi-gigabit speeds. This facilitates upgrades to newer technologies like WiFi 7, and in most cases, without requiring cabling upgrades, thus avoiding inconvenience and expense.
Ultra-low latencies with MLO
One of the most significant improvements of the new standard is the substantial reduction in latency thanks to features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO). This technology allows devices to connect simultaneously to multiple bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), increasing speed and reliability even in demanding scenarios. Combined with theoretical speeds exceeding 40 Gbps, WiFi 7 positions itself as a solid alternative to certain wired connections, both in home and professional environments.
According to Gonzalo Echeverría, Country Manager of Zyxel Iberia, “WiFi 7 brings great benefits to SMEs, and they are adopting it as they see how it improves their wireless capabilities for developing their businesses. It is a technology we have been committed to for some time, and it is proving to be a driver of connections, with greater security, speed, and reliability for the new digital age.”
Main drivers of WiFi 7 development in SMEs:
Evolution towards multigigabyte equipment as a consequence of the increase in data volume
5G consolidation for SME environments
AI drives innovation and cybersecurity within businesses
MLO is a decisive factor for multiband connections
The cloud continues to be a key player in security management
Increased demand for switches with integrated 2.5G LAN ports
Accelerating emerging technologies such as immersive AR/VR and AI applications
