Claims ‘significant performance gains’ and ‘a new standard for enterprise connectivity’
The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) announced the results of Wi-Fi 7 industry trials in Enterprise Scenarios, conducted with AT&T, CommScope (RUCKUS Networks) and Intel. The trials assessed Wi-Fi 7’s capabilities in controlled and actual enterprise environments, focusing on throughput, latency, and signal range across different frequencies and channel widths
The trials assessed rate versus range performance in enterprise settings, comparing Wi-Fi 7 with Wi-Fi 6E across the 5GHz and 6GHz bands. The tests, conducted in live enterprise environments, showed Wi-Fi 7 delivers:
- Nearly double the throughput of Wi-Fi 6E at 5GHz using 40MHz channels
- Sustained more than 1 Gbps throughput up to 40 feet (12.2m) away from the access point in the 6GHz band with 160 MHz channels
- Lower latency and better spectral efficiency, supporting applications like AR/VR, video conferencing and automation
- More reliable networks in high-density environments with thousands of connected devices.
Dealing with dense connections
At 6GHz with 160MHz channels, Wi-Fi 7 achieved nearly 2 Gbps downlink throughput at close range, maintaining over 1Gbps up to 40 feet away. In high-density enterprise settings, where APs must support thousands of simultaneous connections, Wi-Fi 7’s enhanced spectral efficiency and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) provided more stable, reliable connectivity, mitigating network congestion even in heavily loaded conditions.
Note that this trial focused on 160MHz channels in the 6GHz band which would be typical for high-density commercial Wi-Fi 7 network deployments requiring many access points. However, most Wi-Fi 7 devices also support 320MHz channels which would be more common for smaller networks and enable better performance for hybrid work and consumer experiences as documented in in WBA’s recent report for residential settings.
Tiago Rodrigues, President and CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said, “Wi-Fi 7 is …a game changer for enterprise connectivity. These trials prove that Wi-Fi 7 offers real-world improvements in speed, reliability, and efficiency that businesses need to support the next generation of applications.
“As adoption accelerates, enterprises will see tangible benefits in everything from hybrid work and immersive experiences to AI-driven automation. The WBA is committed to ensuring the industry has the data and insights needed to maximize Wi-Fi 7’s potential.”
