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We’re Moving Office – When Should We Plan the Wi-Fi?

Are you moving offices? In this article we’ll take you through when and how to plan your new office Wi-Fi. 

Discover when to start planning your Wi-Fi, why it should happen before the fit-out, and how a professional Wi-Fi survey can prevent coverage and capacity problems.

Wi-Fi considerations need to be made if your business is:

  • Moving into a new office.
  • Refurbishing an existing office.
  • Taking on an additional floor or expanding the premises.
  • Planning an office fit-out.
  • Working with an IT provider, MSP, cabling company, architect or fit-out contractor on a move.

You might be asking yourself:

  • When should we sort out the Wi-Fi for our new office?
  • How many Wi-Fi access points will we need?
  • Where should the access points go?
  • When should the network cabling be installed?
  • Can our IT company just install the Wi-Fi?
  • Should Wi-Fi be planned before the office fit-out?
  • How do we make sure the new office has good Wi-Fi from day one?

And if so – you’re in the right place!

Don’t wait until you’ve moved into the office to discover whether the Wi-Fi works or not

The best time to consider the Wi-Fi is while the office is still being designed.

Our Wi-Fi engineers here at Geekabit can use the floor plans to create a predictive Wi-Fi design, determine appropriate Access Point locations and help inform the cabling plan.

Once the office is built and the network installed, the design can then be validated on site.

This is considerably better than installing Access Points based on guesswork and trying to fix coverage problems afterwards.

When should you start planning Wi-Fi for a new office?

Ideally, Wi-Fi planning should begin before the fit-out and before the final network cabling locations have been agreed.

Wi-Fi Access Points generally need Ethernet cabling. The locations of these cables determine where AP’s can be installed easily. However, if the cabling contractor installs outlets before anyone has actually designed the wireless network, the AP locations may be decided by cabling rather than the RF requirements. Moving AP’s afterwards can mean additional cabling is needed, causing considerable disruption and cost.

Planning your wireless network early in the office move (or refurb) means that the Wi-Fi design influences the cabling rather than having to try and work around it. 

Geekabit can often begin Wi-Fi planning from architectural floor plans before the office is even physically complete. 

Design the Wi-Fi first. Cable for the design second. 

Why can’t we just decide where the access points go from the floor plan?

Looking at a floor plan and placing an AP every X metres is not proper Wi-Fi design. It’s not about uniform spacing – There are a lot of other factors to consider when placing AP’s and designing a Wi-Fi network. 

Factors that can affect the design of a Wi-Fi network include:

  • Office size and shape.
  • Internal walls.
  • Construction materials.
  • Concrete, brick and structural elements.
  • Glass partitions and meeting rooms.
  • Metalwork.
  • Kitchens and utility areas.
  • Lifts and stairwells.
  • Furniture and storage.
  • Number of employees.
  • Number of wireless devices.
  • Expected visitor numbers.
  • Meeting-room density.
  • Voice/ video applications.
  • 5 GHz and 6 GHz requirements.
  • Roaming requirements.
  • Nearby wireless networks and interference.

Two offices with the same floor area can therefore require very different Wi-Fi designs.

How can you design Wi-Fi before the office has even been built?

Predictive Wi-Fi design allows Wi-Fi engineers to plan your new wireless network before the office or refurb has been completed. Geekabit Wi-Fi experts can import the proposed office floor plans into professional Wi-Fi design software. This means that walls and other building materials can be modelled, and Access Points can be positioned virtually, proposing the best placements and testing different models evaluating their effectiveness. 

Heatmaps mean that signal strength and coverage can be visualised. The expected RF coverage can be modelled, and 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz can be considered separately where appropriate. 

The design highlights areas that are likely to need additional coverage, as well as considering AP transmit power and channel planning to form part of the design. 

This process is not just drawing AP’s into a floor plan baked on spacing and measuring distances. Geekabit’s professional Wi-Fi planning and survey software and equipment mean that we are modelling how the wireless network is expected to behave and pre-empt any coverage problems. 

The software we use is Hamina which is used for designing, analyzing, and troubleshooting Wi-Fi, Private 4G/5G, and IoT networks.

How many Wi-Fi access points will our new office need?

Unfortunately, there is no reliable answer we can give you that is based purely on the size of the office. Effective Wi-Fi depends on coverage and capacity, which are two different things.

When it comes to coverage, we want to know if devices can receive a sufficiently strong Wi-Fi signal throughout the required area.

Capacity, on the other hand, ascertains whether the network can cope with the number of devices and the amount and type of traffic that is expected.

An office might have excellent signal everywhere, but still have poor Wi-Fi because too many users are competing for airtime.

For example, a quiet corridor has very different requirements from a 20-person meeting room.

A 100-person office where everyone uses Teams throughout the day has different requirements from a warehouse with a handful of handheld devices.

A reception area may occasionally have a large number of visitors.

Meeting rooms can create temporary high-density areas.

The Wi-Fi design should therefore consider much more than just square metres of office space – It needs to consider users and applications.

Why should Wi-Fi be planned before the network cabling?

If you are an Office Manager or Project Manager in the midst of an office refurb or move to new premises, then the following scenario might be familiar. 

The fit-out contractor decides where the data points will go > Cabling gets installed > IT company arrives > APs get installed wherever cables happen to be available > Business moves in > Wi-Fi problems start to appear > Additional APs and cables are required.

If this is the situation you’re already in then we’re sorry you didn’t have the opportunity to nip the problems in the bud. If you’re about to begin an office refurb or move then you’re just in time to get things done in the right order. 

Obtain floor plans > Understand user/ device/ application requirements > Design the wireless network > Determine appropriate AP locations > Provide AP locations to the cabling/ fit-out team > Install cabling in the correct positions > Install/ configure APs > Validate the completed network. 

Doing things in this order instead can make things much easier and cheaper than retrofitting fixes. 

What information does Geekabit need to design our new office Wi-Fi?

In order to effectively design your new office Wi-Fi network, our Wi-Fi experts here at Geekabit would typically need:

  • Floor plans, preferably PDF or CAD if available.
  • Proposed office layout.
  • Wall/building information if known.
  • Number of employees.
  • Expected number of devices.
  • Meeting-room locations and capacities.
  • Areas with unusually high user density.
  • Applications that matter to the business.
  • Whether Wi-Fi calling/voice is important.
  • Existing or proposed network hardware.
  • Any particular coverage requirements.
  • Plans for future expansion.

Our clients do not need any knowledge of understanding of RF engineering to give our Wi-Fi professionals the information they need. Geekabit can guide you through the information required.

Should we design for Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7?

Great question. The main takeaway from this should be don’t choose an AP (or other piece of hardware) just because it has the highest Wi-Fi number. 

The appropriate hardware depends on the requirements, client devices, budget and expected lifetime. 

Many modern offices increasingly need to consider 6 GHz. 

A well designed network using appropriate hardware is generally preferable to buying the most expensive APs and installing poorly. 

Geekabit operates vendor-independent, meaning we can design around suitable equipment rather than forcing every one of our clients into the same solution. 

Good Wi-Fi starts with good RF design, not the logo or Wi-Fi number printed on the Access Point.

What happens once the office is built?

Predictive Wi-Fi design isn’t necessarily the end of the process.

Predictive design is based on the plans and information available before construction.Real buildings don’t always exactly match the drawings. Materials may also differ and other smaller details can change, for example furniture gets added and meeting rooms move. 

There could also be other wireless networks present. This means that the final AP installation may differ slightly from the design. 

Therefore, for projects like this, Geekabit can perform an on-site Wi-Fi survey following the refurb or move, using Hamina Nomad software to validate the network after installation. The purpose of this is to confirm that the installed network is performing as intended.

A post-installation Wi-Fi survey can check the following things:

  • Actual signal coverage.
  • Secondary coverage.
  • Signal-to-noise ratio.
  • Channel utilisation.
  • Interference.
  • Roaming behaviour.
  • AP placement.
  • Real-world performance.
  • Areas where the installed environment differs from the predictive design.

We’re moving into an office that already has Wi-Fi – do we still need a survey?

Potentially, yes. A Wi-Fi survey when you’ve just moved into an office with an existing network can still be really useful. Don’t assume that an existing network will be suitable for your requirements simply because there are APs already fitted. 

There could be inherent differences between the requirements of the previous network and yours. For example, there could be some stark differences:

  • Different number of employees.
  • Different applications.
  • Different device mix.
  • Different desk layout.
  • Different meeting-room usage.
  • AP hardware may be old.
  • AP positioning may be poor.
  • The previous installation may never have been professionally designed.

This is where an existing-site survey can be more appropriate than simply creating a new predictive design.

We don’t recommend automatically ripping everything out. Our Geekabit Wi-Fi engineers can assess what is already there before recommending replacement equipment.

Who should be responsible for the Wi-Fi during an office move?

There are many different parties that are usually involved in the Wi-Fi network during an office move or refurbishment. These are usually:

  • Internal IT.
  • MSP.
  • Cabling contractor.
  • Fit-out company.
  • Architect.
  • Internet provider.
  • Wi-Fi specialist.

All of these people have an important role to play in ensuring that the new network is functioning optimally. For the actual wireless design, it’s recommended to call in a specialist RF engineer or Wi-Fi professional.

A cabling company can install the cables perfectly, but somebody still needs to determine where those cables should terminate for the access points.

An MSP can manage switches, firewalls, Microsoft 365 and endpoints extremely well without necessarily having specialist Wi-Fi survey equipment or RF expertise.

Our professional Wi-Fi engineers here at Geekabit can work alongside the client’s existing IT company, MSP, cabling contractor or fit-out company to get the best results for your network.

A simple Wi-Fi plan for your office move

Wi-Fi should be an integral part of the office move plan, not something added during the final week.

Here is a plan to work with when planning your Wi-Fi network during an office refurbishment or office move. 

Early planning / lease agreed

  • Obtain floor plans.
  • Discuss expected users and requirements.
  • Consider internet connectivity.
  • Begin predictive Wi-Fi design.

Before cabling

  • Agree AP locations.
  • Specify required network outlets.
  • Coordinate with a cabling contractor/fit-out company.

During fit-out

  • Cabling installed.
  • Network infrastructure installed.
  • Any design changes reviewed.

Before occupation

  • APs installed and configured.
  • Network tested.
  • SSIDs/security configured.

After installation / before or shortly after staff move in

  • Validate coverage and performance.
  • Correct any issues.
  • Establish a baseline for the completed network.

Planning a new office in London or across the UK?

Geekabit specialises in business Wi-Fi and wireless networking.

We offer a range of services to clients including:

  • Predictive Wi-Fi design.
  • Wi-Fi site surveys.
  • Wi-Fi heatmaps.
  • On-site RF surveys.
  • Validation surveys.
  • Troubleshooting.
  • Access Point design and deployment.
  • Network infrastructure advice.

Our expert Wi-Fi engineers are Wi-Fi specialists, not just a generic IT support company.

If you’re planning an office move, refurbishment or new fit-out, speak to Geekabit before the network cabling locations are finalised. We can work from your floor plans to help design the wireless network and give your cabling or fit-out team clear AP locations to work from.

With thanks to Hamina for the imagery.

FAQs

When should Wi-Fi be planned for a new office?

Ideally, Wi-Fi should be planned before the office fit-out and before network cabling locations are finalised. A predictive Wi-Fi design can determine suitable access point locations, allowing Ethernet cabling to be installed in the right places before ceilings and finishes are completed.

Can Wi-Fi be designed before an office is built?

Yes. A predictive Wi-Fi design uses office floor plans, building materials, expected user numbers and proposed access point hardware to model wireless coverage before installation. This allows potential coverage and capacity issues to be identified before the office is completed.

How many Wi-Fi access points does an office need?

There is no reliable number based on floor area alone. The number and location of access points depend on the building layout, construction materials, number of users and devices, applications, required frequencies and expected capacity. A professional Wi-Fi design can determine the appropriate number and placement.

Do I need a Wi-Fi site survey for a new office?

For many business environments, a professional Wi-Fi survey or predictive design is advisable. It reduces the risk of poor coverage, interference, capacity problems and incorrectly positioned access points. A predictive design can be completed before the fit-out, with an on-site validation survey performed once the network is installed.

What is a predictive Wi-Fi survey?

A predictive Wi-Fi survey uses specialist software and floor plans to model how wireless signals are expected to propagate through a building. Walls, building materials, access point characteristics and other factors can be included to estimate coverage and help determine suitable AP locations before installation.

Should access points be installed before or after the office fit-out?

The access points themselves will normally be installed during or towards the end of the fit-out, but their locations should ideally be designed much earlier. This allows the required Ethernet cabling to be installed in the correct positions while the fit-out is taking place.

Can our cabling contractor decide where the Wi-Fi access points should go?

A cabling contractor can install the required Ethernet infrastructure, but access point locations are ideally determined from a wireless design rather than cable convenience alone. Geekabit can provide AP locations for the cabling contractor to work from and collaborate with them during the project.

Can Geekabit work with our existing IT company or MSP?

Yes. Geekabit specialises in Wi-Fi and wireless networking and can work alongside an existing MSP, internal IT department, cabling contractor or office fit-out company. The existing IT provider can continue managing the wider network while Geekabit provides specialist wireless design, surveying and troubleshooting expertise.

Do we need a Wi-Fi survey if the new office already has access points?

Existing access points do not necessarily mean the Wi-Fi is suitable for a new occupier. Different businesses have different numbers of users, devices, applications and coverage requirements. An on-site survey can assess the existing installation and determine whether it can be reused, modified or should be replaced.

Can you test the Wi-Fi after we move in?

Yes. A post-installation validation survey can measure the completed wireless network and compare real-world coverage and performance with the intended design. This can identify coverage gaps, interference, roaming problems or installation differences that need correcting.

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Wi-Fi 7 for Business: Is It Worth Upgrading Yet?

Wi-Fi 7 hardware and equipment is now becoming more prevalent, and increasingly available for business Wi-Fi networks. 

Marketing for Wi-Fi 7 tends to focus heavily on headline multi-gigabit speeds. But when you’re making a decision on your business Wi-Fi, you need to be thinking about your specific requirements, not just specification numbers.

Will Wi-Fi 7 solve a real problem for your organisation? Maybe, yes. For other businesses, optimising existing Wi-Fi 6/6E infrastructure could provide better return on investment.

What Is Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be, is the successor to Wi-Fi 6/ 6E and is the latest standard in Wi-Fi.

It has been specifically designed for:

  • Higher throughput
  • Lower latency
  • Greater efficiency
  • Improved performance in demanding wireless environments

Despite maximum advertised speeds being widely reported, it’s important to remember that these represent theoretical capabilities and are not what every device will experience.

What’s Different About Wi-Fi 7?

The latest Wi-Fi standard has a number of improvements to offer wireless networking, in the right environments.

320 MHz channels

  • Up to twice Wi-Fi 6E’s maximum channel width.
  • Potentially significantly higher throughput.
  • Requires appropriate spectrum and compatible clients.
  • Wide channels aren’t automatically the best choice in every business environment.

Multi-Link Operation (MLO)

  • Important development for Wi-Fi 7.
  • Compatible devices can make use of multiple wireless links/ bands.
  • Potential improvements to throughput, latency and resilience.
  • Benefits depend upon client/ AP support and implementation.

4K QAM

  • More data can potentially be encoded within transmissions. (Higher throughput speeds up heavy tasks)
  • Highest gains require very good RF conditions.
  • A limitation of this would be that it requires a short range for peak speed. 4K QAM requires a very clean, high-signal environment (high Signal-to-Noise Ratio) meaning that devices generally need to be close to the router to achieve the maximum 12-bit rate..

6 GHz

  • Wi-Fi 7 can make use of 6 GHz alongside traditional Wi-Fi bands where regulations/ equipment permit.
  • A cleaner spectrum can be extremely useful.
  • Higher frequencies also behave differently through walls/ structures.
  • UK spectrum availability should be considered when designing 

How Much Faster Is Wi-Fi 7?

It’s likely to be faster, but it’s not possible to promise a single set speed. The theoretical specifications of a Wi-Fi 7 compatible AP doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll get that actual throughput on your device. 

Real-world Wi-Fi speed depends on multiple factors, including:

  • Client capability
  • Number of spatial streams
  • Channel width
  • Distance
  • Interference
  • Spectrum availability
  • Wired uplink
  • Internet connection

A Wi-Fi 7 AP connected to a constrained Ethernet network cannot magically provide multi-gigabit end-to-end performance.

Do My Devices Need to Support Wi-Fi 7?

To be able to obtain Wi-Fi 7-specific capabilities, your devices do indeed need to support Wi-Fi 7, yes. 

Buying and deploying a new AP will not, unfortunately, turn existing Wi-Fi 5/ 6 devices into Wi-Fi 7 devices.

It often takes a little bit of time to upgrade business client estates – It can be a slow process.

All the equipment that uses the internet needs to be considered – Think laptops, phones, scanners, IoT, printers and specialist equipment.

When you’re looking at upgrading and calculating the value, make sure you assess the expected device refresh needed for that cycle.

Does Wi-Fi 7 Need Faster Ethernet?

If you want your wireless devices to reach their maximum potential speeds, then yes, Wi-Fi 7 needs faster Ethernet ports (such as 2.5Gbps or 10Gbps). 

Wi-Fi 7 can theoretically hit multi-gigabit wireless speeds (exceeding 5Gbps to 10Gbps in real-world scenarios), meaning that Ethernet ports can act as a bottleneck. A traditional 1Gbps (Gigabit) Ethernet port can only handle about 940–950 Mbps.

What will happen in real-world terms? If you plug a high-end Wi-Fi 7 router or Access Point into a standard 1Gbps modem or switch, your Wi-Fi speeds will be capped at 1Gbps, wasting the router’s extra power.

Upgrading Ethernet would potentially involve:

  • 2.5 GbE/multi-gigabit switching
  • Appropriate structured cabling
  • Higher PoE requirements
  • Switch replacement
  • Router/ firewall capacity
  • Faster WAN where internet speed is the objective

It’s important, therefore, that Wi-Fi 7 isn’t necessarily considered in isolation of Ethernet.

Will Wi-Fi 7 Improve Coverage?

Wi-Fi 7 does not physically extend the raw range of a single wireless signal, but it can improve overall coverage reliability and efficiency through advanced technologies. Wi-Fi 7 should not be purchased simply on the assumption that it will travel further.

Coverage is heavily governed by:

  • Frequency
  • Power
  • Antennas
  • Building construction
  • AP location
  • Client capabilities

Wi-Fi 7 uses the 6 GHz frequency band (along with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Higher frequencies can offer incredible speeds but have shorter physical range and struggle to penetrate solid walls compared to lower frequencies.

It’s possible that better Wi-Fi design could improve a coverage problem more effectively than upgrading the standard!

Which Businesses Could Benefit from Wi-Fi 7 Now?

There are a number of types of business that could benefit from upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 capabilities. These include:

  • High-density offices
  • Creative/ media businesses transferring large local files
  • Environments with demanding low-latency applications
  • Organisations already upgrading switching or cabling
  • A new-build or major refurbishment
  • Businesses with substantial numbers of new Wi-Fi 7 clients
  • Networks being designed for a long replacement lifecycle
  • Specialist and high-performance environments

Who Probably Doesn’t Need to Rush to Replace the Network with Wi-Fi 7?

Not all businesses will benefit from running out and replacing their hardware with Wi-Fi 7 capable devices. Businesses that can afford to wait a little while longer before upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 include:

  • Small offices primarily using cloud applications/ email
  • Businesses where WAN connection is the principal bottleneck
  • Predominantly Wi-Fi 5/ 6 client estate
  • Networks suffering basic design problems
  • Sites with poor AP placement
  • Sites with cabling or switching faults
  • Businesses who are expecting Wi-Fi 7 alone to fix dead spots

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 7 for Business

StandardKey Characteristics
Wi-Fi 6Mature standard with huge client compatibility; excellent for many businesses.
Wi-Fi 6EAdds 6 GHz capability; serves as a useful stepping stone in compatible environments.
Wi-Fi 7Offers the newest capabilities and highest performance potential with increasing client availability, though it may require supporting infrastructure investment.

Remember – The important bit is getting the right technology for your specific business requirements, not automatically upgrading to the newest technology!

Should I Upgrade My Business to Wi-Fi 7?

Before upgrading your business network to Wi-Fi 7, ask yourself these questions:

  • What problem are we trying to solve?
  • Are our client devices Wi-Fi 7 compatible?
  • Can our wired network support Wi-Fi 7?
  • Is our existing Wi-Fi properly designed?

If your existing network is unreliable, then upgrading it to Wi-Fi 7 isn’t going to magically fix the problem unfortunately. It’s important to diagnose the cause first.

The best time to upgrade your network is when it provides measurable business benefit rather than just specification-sheet benefit.

How Geekabit Can Help

Our expert Wi-Fi engineers here at Geekabit can help work with your business to identify the best solution for your Wi-Fi network. 

We can provide:

  • Wi-Fi surveys and informed design
  • Existing infrastructure assessment
  • Identifying client/ device requirements
  • Switching and cabling assessment
  • Wi-Fi 6/ 6E/ 7 recommendations based on your business needs
  • Specification-led approach independent to your business
  • Design for your business requirements rather than simply replacing APs

Get in touch with our friendly team today to see how we can help. 

FAQs

Is Wi-Fi 7 available for businesses now?

  • Yes.
  • Business/enterprise Wi-Fi 7 APs and client devices are increasingly available.
  • Suitability depends on the rest of the infrastructure.

Is Wi-Fi 7 faster than Wi-Fi 6?

  • Potentially substantially faster.
  • Actual improvement depends on compatible clients and RF/network conditions.

Does Wi-Fi 7 have better range than Wi-Fi 6?

  • Don’t assume so.
  • Newer standard doesn’t automatically mean greater physical coverage.
  • AP placement and RF design remain critical.

Do I need 2.5Gb Ethernet for Wi-Fi 7?

  • Not necessarily for the AP simply to function.
  • Multi-gigabit networking may be required to exploit higher throughput.
  • Depends on actual use case.

Should I replace all my Wi-Fi 6 access points with Wi-Fi 7?

  • Usually not without assessing requirements first.
  • Well-designed Wi-Fi 6 remains highly capable.

Will older devices connect to a Wi-Fi 7 network?

  • Generally Wi-Fi standards maintain backwards compatibility.
  • Older clients won’t gain Wi-Fi 7-specific capabilities simply by connecting to a Wi-Fi 7 AP.
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Why Is My Office Wi-Fi Slow at 9am? Common Causes & Solutions

Does your SME office Wi-Fi grind to a halt every morning? Discover the most common causes of slow business Wi-Fi at peak times and how to fix them.

If you’re an IT Manager who faces a team of colleagues all asking “Has the Wi-Fi gone slow again?” Every Single Morning, then you’re in the right place. 

Your internet connection might actually not be the problem. When we get called out to clients, the internet connection is often not the issue. It’s more likely to be the fact that your SME business network wasn’t designed for everyone using it simultaneously. 

So what can your internal IT Team or Facilities Manager do about it? Let’s find out. 

‘I think the Wi-Fi is down!’ – A familiar scenario in your office?

Picture this. You’re a SME business owner. You get in the office at 7.30am and everything seems fine. The morning creeps on, and anything from 20 to 500 employees start making their way into the office. By 9.15am the problems start – 

  • Teams calls are starting to freeze. 
  • Web pages are taking ages to load. 

Staff members are starting to complain that the Wi-Fi is down. Already? Some bright spark reboots the router for the nth day in a row. Things seem to improve, but it’s only temporary. 

And the cycle repeats. Every day. 

No wonder the Office Manager is tearing their hair out and the Operations Director is more stressed than necessary. 

If this scenario sounds all too familiar, then your Wi-Fi is probably suffering from capacity problems rather than broadband issues. 

Your Internet Connection Probably Isn’t the Bottleneck

Businesses and Office Managers often blame poor Wi-Fi on:

  • ISP
  • Fibre connection
  • Router

When in reality, the broadband may actually only be using 40–50% of its available bandwidth. With client call-outs, we often see that the congestion is inside the office Wi-Fi.

Internet Speed and Wireless Capacity are two different things. Internet speed and wireless capacity (bandwidth) are different parts of your business network. Internet speed is how fast data travels from the outside world to your home, while wireless capacity is how much total data your Wi-Fi network can handle at once.

Everyone Starts Working at the Same Time

Even with flexible working, everyone coming into the office tends to come in at the same time and start their working day. At 9am, mots of your team arrives and starts work. The typical employee will have multiple devices on them all trying to connect to the office network:

  • Laptop
  • Smartphone
  • Smartwatch
  • Tablet
  • Wireless headset

Depending on the size of your SME, that’s anywhere from 10 to 500 people arriving for work – And with 1 employee representing 4 0r 5 connected devices, that’s a lot of Wi-Fi clients accessing your network (we’ll let you do the maths). 

Teams and Zoom Change Everything

So let’s say we’ve got 60 employees in the office, each with 4 connected devices, and the majority of them are all hopping on a video call. This generates:

  • Continuous traffic
  • Low latency requirements
  • High airtime usage

Why is video traffic different from web browsing?

When your staff members are trying to use video conferencing (whether that’s Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Google Meet), they’re needing a lot more from your network than if they were just browsing the web or answering emails. 

Video traffic is different from web browsing because it uses much more data volume, stays active for longer periods, and sends data in sudden bursts to fill a buffer, whereas web browsing sends short, intermittent requests for small text and image files.

Too Many Devices Can Share One Access Point

You have Access Points throughout your office. And this is where many businesses struggle. Because each Access Point has its own practical capacity. Think of it like a motorway – Everything works well when there’s not too much traffic and everything flows, but as soon as there are too many cars getting on or one really slow driver, everything starts to slow down and cause bottlenecks. 

Access Points work on the same premise. If too many devices are connecting to the same Access Point, then performance can collapse rapidly, affecting Airtime, Contention and Retransmissions. 

  • Airtime – The total duration your wireless gadgets spend sending and receiving data over the router’s radio waves. In the analogy we used above, think of it as a shared motorway lane where only one device can “speak” or drive at a time. Because the total amount of time available is limited, how it gets used dictates your network’s speed. All devices on the same channel must take turns using the airtime.
  • Contention – When multiple devices compete to use the same wireless radio channel at the same time. Key parts of this process include listen before talk (a device checks the airtime first, and waits if another device is sending data), collisions (when 2 devices send data at the same time, the signals crash), and back-off timers (After a collision or a busy channel, each device waits for a random extra period before trying again to avoid a repeat crash).
  • Retransmissions – The resending of data packets that fail to reach their destination or get damaged during wireless air travel.

More Wi-Fi Bars Don’t Mean Better Wi-Fi

This is one of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to Wi-Fi and understanding your business network. 

Strong signal ≠ good performance.

Your signal bars might be full, but that doesn’t automatically mean that the Wi-Fi your device is receiving is as strong. 

Signal strength is really only measuring how loudly the Access Point can be heard. What it doesn’t measure or show you is:

  • Congestion – Lots of devices all competing for bandwidth
  • Interference – Building infrastructure (like walls and ceilings) blocking the signal
  • Packet loss – When tiny packets of information get sent from your device but don’t reach their destination
  • Latency – How long it takes data to travel from your device to the router and back again

Wi-Fi airtime is the total amount of time wireless devices spend transmitting data over your network’s radio frequency. Because Wi-Fi is a shared medium where only one device can transmit at a time on a channel, the devices in your office must take turns. Slower devices take longer to transmit the same amount of data, consuming excessive airtime, so one older device can slow down a whole network. 

For all these reasons, a busy office network can have excellent signal, but poor performance. 

Why Adding Another Access Point Can Make Things Worse

It’s time to bust some myths. We can see why IT or Office Managers might jump to the conclusion that adding another Access Point will fix the problem. But unfortunately this isn’t necessarily the case, and here’s why. 

Your business buys another AP, but you haven’t planned for it. This can cause additional problems like:

  • Channel conflicts
  • Co-channel interference
  • Poor roaming

This is where professional design is vital. Expert Wi-Fi engineers like the ones here at Geekabit can plan your network Access Points so that there are no channel conflicts, no co-channel interference and roaming performance is optimal. And that’s if you even need another AP!

Roaming Problems

People are not sedentary. You jump on a call on your smartphone, whilst walking with your laptop to the meeting room. You nip out of the meeting to grab a coffee from the kitchen. You’re hot-desking and have to move mid-way through the morning. Unfortunately, devices don’t always switch neatly to the nearest available AP. This can results in:

  • Frozen Teams calls
  • Dropouts
  • Delays

A professional Wi-Fi expert can ensure optimum roaming between wireless access points for your office through proper coverage overlap, balanced power levels, and protocol configurations. Key steps include setting a 15% to 20% signal overlap, adjusting transmit power to prevent sticky clients, and enabling fast roaming standards.

Poor Access Point Placement

Are your Access Points located in the best places for optimum performance? 

Access Points should not be placed in the following areas:

  • Hidden above metal ceilings
  • Inside cupboards
  • Plant rooms
  • Behind steel beams
  • Mounted where convenient rather than where coverage is needed.

These locations are not conducive to decent network signal and coverage. 

Older Wi-Fi Equipment Struggles

Is the hardware in your office up to date? Do your colleagues’ devices operate on the same Wi-Fi standard as your hardware? 

If you are using hardware (e.g. routers, access points) that operate on an older Wi-Fi standard, then you’re not utilising the tech available to you. 

Conversely, if your colleagues’ devices are older and not using a newer Wi-Fi standard when your hardware is, then their device(s) could be slowing down your whole network. 

You want to be using the newest available features possible, which is currently likely to be Wi-Fi 7. All hardware and user devices should, where possible, be using the same Wi-Fi standard to ensure efficiency and capacity. 

How a Professional Wi-Fi Survey Identifies the Real Problem

Up until now, your Office Manager or Facilities Manager might have been guessing. Your internal IT Team has probably done their best to fix what they think the problem is. But here at Geekabit, we don’t guess. We measure. 

We look at all the factors that could be affecting your network performance, including:

  • Coverage
  • Capacity
  • Interference
  • Channel usage
  • Client density
  • Roaming
  • Heatmaps

Our Wi-Fi engineers don’t just fix symptoms – They identify the root cause and find the solution.

You can read more about our Wi-Fi Site Surveys here. 

Signs Your Office Has a Network Capacity Problem

  • Wi-Fi slows at the same time every day, e.g. 9.15am
  • Teams calls freeze.
  • Staff disconnect and reconnect frequently.
  • Guest Wi-Fi becomes unusable.
  • Performance improves after lunch.
  • Complaints increase when meeting rooms are busy.
  • Speed tests vary dramatically.
  • Staff move closer to access points.

The Good News

In Wi-Fi excerpt hands, most issues can be resolved without replacing everything.

Sometimes solutions include:

  • Better AP placement
  • Channel optimisation
  • Transmit power adjustments
  • Additional correctly positioned APs
  • Modern Wi-Fi standards
  • Better switching
  • Network redesign

And in even better news – Geekabit can help with all of these things! 

Conclusion

If your Wi-Fi only struggles when everyone is in the office, that’s actually really useful information. It points towards a capacity or design issue rather than an internet problem. 

With the right analysis and optimisation, businesses can transform user experience without unnecessary hardware upgrades.

Give our friendly team at Geekabit a call and see how we can help optimise your business Wi-Fi network. 

Is your office Wi-Fi slowing down every morning?

Geekabit specialises in diagnosing and solving business Wi-Fi performance problems across London and the South of England.

Whether you need a professional Wi-Fi survey, troubleshooting, or a complete wireless redesign, our experienced engineers can identify exactly what’s causing the slowdown and recommend the most effective solution.

Get in touch today to arrange a professional Wi-Fi assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my office Wi-Fi slow down at the same time every day?

This is usually a sign of a capacity issue rather than a broadband fault. As staff arrive and connect laptops, phones, tablets and other devices, the wireless network becomes much busier. If the Wi-Fi wasn’t designed to handle that level of demand, performance can deteriorate rapidly during peak periods.

Why is my internet speed test still fast if the Wi-Fi feels slow?

A broadband speed test measures the connection between your office and your internet provider. It doesn’t measure how efficiently your Wi-Fi is delivering that connection to dozens or hundreds of devices. Your internet connection may be healthy while your wireless network is struggling with congestion or interference.

How many devices can one Wi-Fi access point support?

There’s no fixed number, as it depends on the type of applications being used, the Wi-Fi standard, and the environment. Modern business-grade access points can support many connected devices, but real-world performance depends on how much airtime each device consumes. Activities like video conferencing place far greater demands on the network than simply checking emails.

Will adding another Wi-Fi access point solve the problem?

Not necessarily. If additional access points are installed without careful planning, they can create more interference and actually reduce performance. A professional wireless survey helps determine whether more access points are needed and, just as importantly, where they should be positioned and how they should be configured.

Can Microsoft Teams and Zoom affect Wi-Fi performance?

Yes. Video conferencing applications generate continuous, real-time traffic that is more demanding than typical web browsing or email. When many employees join video calls simultaneously, the wireless network must handle significantly more traffic while maintaining low latency and minimal packet loss.

What is a Wi-Fi site survey?

A Wi-Fi site survey is a detailed assessment of your wireless network. Using specialist tools, engineers measure signal strength, coverage, interference, channel usage, roaming behaviour and capacity. The results help identify the root causes of poor performance and provide clear recommendations for improvement.

Can you fix office Wi-Fi without replacing everything?

In many cases, yes. Performance issues are often caused by poor design, incorrect configuration or unsuitable access point placement rather than faulty hardware. Optimising the existing network can frequently deliver substantial improvements without the cost of a complete replacement.

How can Geekabit help?

Geekabit specialises in business Wi-Fi design, troubleshooting and optimisation. We carry out professional Wi-Fi surveys, diagnose performance issues, and recommend practical, evidence-based solutions that improve reliability, coverage and capacity for businesses of all sizes.

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The Evolution of Wi-Fi Standards and Speeds

The evolution of Wi-Fi standards has brought significant improvements in speed and capability over the years. Wi-Fi speeds have skyrocketed with each generation, evolving from early megabit connections to massive multi-gigabit speeds. With each iteration, max theoretical speeds have multiplied.

Wi-Fi 4

In 2009, the Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) standard was introduced, operating on the 2.4 GHz band with a theoretical maximum speed of 300 Mbps. This standard provided reliable performance, basic security (WPA2), and supported standard usage.

Wi-Fi 4 at a glance:

  • Operates on the 2.4 GHz band
  • Maximum theoretical speed of 300 Mbps
  • Reliable performance
  • Basic security (WPA2)
  • Standard usage supported

Wi-Fi 5

The next major step came in 2013 with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). It used the 5 GHz band and drastically increased the theoretical maximum speed to 1.3 Gbps. Key features included higher speed, better range, and support for HD video.

Wi-Fi 5 at a glance:

  • Operates on the 5 GHz band
  • Maximum theoretical speed of 1.3 Gbps
  • Higher speed
  • Better range
  • Supports HD video

Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) arrived in 2019, boosting the theoretical maximum speed to 9.6 Gbps. It operated across the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This standard offered more capacity, introduced MU-MIMO technology, and was better suited for environments with many devices.

Wi-Fi 6 at a glance:

  • Operates on the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands
  • Maximum theoretical speed of 9.6 Gbps
  • More capacity
  • MU-MIMO technology
  • Better for many devices

Wi-Fi 6E

A slight variation, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), followed in 2020. While maintaining the 9.6 Gbps speed, its main improvement was the utilization of the new 6 GHz band in addition to the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This provided less interference and improved security.

Wi-Fi 6E at a glance:

  • Operates on the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands
  • Maximum theoretical speed of 9.6 Gbps
  • Less interference
  • Improved security

Wi-Fi 7

The newest standard, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), is projected for 2024. It will support all three major bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) and offer an ultra-high theoretical maximum speed of 46 Gbps. Its key features are very low latency, making it ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, 8K video, and Virtual Reality (VR).

Wi-Fi 7 at a glance:

  • Operates on the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands
  • Maximum theoretical speed of 46 Gbps
  • Very low latency
  • Great for gaming, 8K video and VR

Why is Wi-Fi 7 (the latest available standard) good for your business?

Wi-Fi 7 is usually a pretty decent upgrade for businesses because:

  • It delivers up to 46 Gbps speeds
  • It has ultra-low latency (so the delay between device>router>internet and back is smaller)
  • It has greater reliability in crowded environments – Perfect for offices
  • It eliminates network bottlenecks for data-heavy tasks, helping to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

You might also ask…

  • How do Wi-Fi speeds differ across Wi-Fi standards?
  • What is the timeline of Wi-Fi generations?
  • How much faster are Wi-Fi generations?
  • What are the differences between Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6 and 7?
  • Wi-Fi 7 vs previous generations
  • Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7
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How Will Wi-Fi 7 Be Supporting the Next Generation of Connected Spaces

Whether you’re responsible for your Wi-Fi network at home, in your business or in a public venue, Wi-Fi 7 has been designed to improve connectivity in your device-heavy, dense environments.

Regardless of the type of network, wireless networks are supporting more users, devices and applications than they ever have before, including places like:

  • Large stadiums packed with people
  • College campuses with a multitude of connections
  • Offices with lots of devices in a confined space
  • Entertainment venues supporting various media 

Not only are wireless networks now supporting a wide range of venues, they are also providing connections for many different uses within those venues, for example:

  • Paying with their phone
  • Streaming video content during a live event
  • Joining a virtual meeting
  • Accessing cloud applications
  • Sharing content in real time

Whatever the venue, whatever the reason to connect, users expect seamless connectivity that is strong, reliable and secure. 

The role of Wi-Fi 7 in the future of connected spaces is constantly being spoken about in this industry by sector leaders, and was a key focus during a recent Connectivity Expo via the Connect (X) Connected Spaces panel.

Wi-Fi 7 is the latest evolution of Wi-Fi technology, and at its heart is designed to deliver connectivity in increasingly crowded environments that is:

  • Higher capacity
  • Lower latency
  • More reliable 

Wireless environments like homes, businesses, campuses, and venues will all benefit from Wi-Fi 7.

Why is Wi-Fi 7 Different?

As wireless demand has grown, Wi-Fi technology has continued to evolve and match pace. 

With Wi-Fi 6 we saw:

  • Improved network efficiency 
  • Better performance in crowded environments

Wi-Fi 6E then arrived on the scene and offered:

  • Expanded access to the 6 GHz band 
  • Reduced congestion with wider channels

So what will Wi-Fi 7 bring to the table? Wi-Fi 7 further builds on the advancements just mentioned, along with new capabilities specifically designed for high-capacity environments. 

Wi-Fi 7 improvements include:

  • Wider 320 MHz channels that support higher capacity
  • Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to use multiple bands more efficiently
  • 4K QAM modulation, which enables faster speeds for high-bandwidth applications
  • Lower latency and improved reliability

Perhaps the most important improvement is that Wi-Fi 7 is designed to create a more consistent user experience – Even as wireless traffic continues to grow. This is especially true for dense environments with thousands of connected devices, like stadiums and campuses.

How Will Wi-Fi 7 Manage with Real-World Deployments? 

It’s already moving into it. We’re not talking future concepts here – Wi-Fi 7 is already moving rapidly into deployments and has been since 2024. In the US we’ve seen large venues, enterprise environments and college campuses start to reap the benefits of Wi-Fi 7 already. 

Here are some examples of how Wi-Fi 7 is already improving connectivity for large, device-heavy wireless environments. 

Levi’s Stadium: 

The stadium deployed Wi-Fi 7 ahead of the most recent Super Bowl in February 2026 and supported tens of thousands of fans with high-quality wireless connectivity. 

Modern venues rely on wireless networks for almost everything, including:

  • Mobile ticketing 
  • Concessions 
  • Streaming
  • Social sharing
  • Venue operations. 

Wi-Fi 7’s higher capacity and improved efficiency make it well-suited for dense environments like stadiums and arenas.

Georgetown University

Georgetown University along with many other college campuses and universities, are planning their next-generation campus connectivity upgrades with Wi-Fi 7. In campus environments, wireless demand grows for things like:

  • Cloud applications
  • Collaboration tools
  • Connected devices
  • Hybrid learning environments
  • Leisure time e.g. streaming and gaming 

From public spaces, offices, labs, classrooms and libraries, university and college campuses increasingly rely on wireless networks to support high-capacity, always-connected experiences..

It’s important to remember that in college campus wireless environments, there are also cellular and private wireless networks in use so Wi-Fi 7 needs to work reliably alongside those. 

How Can We Utilise Wi-Fi 7’s Full Potential?

As wireless experts and network engineers deploying Wi-Fi 7, we understand that it takes a lot more than simply upgrading some access points to make full use of Wi-Fi 7’s potential. 

We also recognise the bigger picture. The performance of Wi-Fi 7 also depends on the broader connectivity ecosystem, that includes:

  • Devices
  • Broadband infrastructure
  • Spectrum availability 

If you want your business to fully benefit from Wi-Fi 7 you need to embrace:

  • Wi-Fi 7 capable devices entering the market across smartphones, laptops, and connected technologies
  • Broadband infrastructure capable of matching higher wireless capacity, including modern backhaul and network equipment
  • Sufficient unlicensed spectrum availability, particularly in the 6 GHz band
  • Thoughtful network design that supports performance in dense environments.

Is Wi-Fi 7 the Future of Connected Spaces?

The demand for wireless connectivity is accelerating EVERYWHERE – Homes, businesses, campuses, and public venues. Connected devices and data-intensive applications continue to become a larger part of everyday life.

Indeed, future Wi-Fi technologies, including Wi-Fi 8, are already in conversation.

Modern connected spaces are to be unlocked with Wi-Fi 7 by design.  Will it hold long-term success? That really depends on strong broadband infrastructure, continued innovation, and policies that support future wireless growth.

We’re excited to see where this takes us. 

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“Should I upgrade from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 7 for my office?”

The 90,000 fans who pack out Wembley Stadium for England matches bring more than just their voices and their optimism. Each fan tends to bring at least one connected device, creating a wireless environment that would cripple most enterprise networks within just a few minutes. 

How do high-density crowded areas handle their Wi-Fi capabilities?

Wembley Stadium is partnered with EE for their wireless infrastructure. During 2025, Wembley Stadium was upgraded to feature advanced connectivity, including 5G standalone (SA) technology and next-generation Wi-Fi capabilities. This means their network can handle high-density crowd demand. 

EE has heavily upgraded the network to support high-speed internet and reliable connectivity during major events. Key Connectivity Upgrades included:

  • 5G Standalone: In February 2025, EE launched a 5G standalone network at Wembley, providing increased capacity and faster speeds independent of 4G infrastructure.
  • Wi-Fi 7 Integration: As part of a 2025 technology upgrade, Wembley integrated Wi-Fi 7 to enhance connectivity.
  • Capacity Enhancements: The network upgrades allow fans to share and experience events with improved performance in busy areas. 

Wembley Stadium is committed to premier level digital infrastructure. They have a multi-year partnership with EE and the upgrades seen during 2025 ensure that stadium visitors can stay connected whilst attending matches and other events. 

What Wi-Fi and connectivity problems affect public venue operators? 

Public venues across the country face the same problems with business-critical wireless infrastructure. 

Football fans are no exception to the connectivity requirements people have come to expect when they are out and about. People want to be able to:

  • Have streaming capabilities
  • Share content to social media platforms including images and video
  • Place online orders
  • Access digital tickets
  • Pay for food, beverages and merchandise

When you have a lot of people all in one place, the network can start to struggle. As device density increases (along with guest expectations), older infrastructure like Wi-Fi 6 can start to buckle under the strain. 

To maintain a seamless guest experience, connectivity cannot fail. Unreliable Wi-Fi can have a massive negative effect on revenue, organic marketing opportunities and engagement. 

Embracing Wi-Fi 7 capabilities is just one solution to the issues facing venues, festivals, apartment complexes and offices throughout the UK.

Choosing to deploy next-generation, Wi-Fi 7 wireless technology instead of waiting for incremental upgrades could be just what your venue or office building needs.

Why does Wi-Fi 7 work well in high-density environments like offices?

We’ve banged on about Wembley Stadium in this article so far, but Wi-Fi 7 as a standard introduces capabilities specifically designed for all kinds of ultra-high-density environments, whether that’s a stadium or your office building. Environments that have historically defeated wireless deployments are now finding connectivity success in high-density settings with Wi-Fi 7.

What are the biggest advancements Wi-Fi 7 offers?

  • Multi-Link Operation (MLO)
  • Double the channel width
  • Increased QAM modulation and increased data rate
  • Speed improvements and low latency

Multi-Link Operation (MLO)

The most significant advancement is Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which allows devices to transmit and receive data across multiple frequency bands simultaneously. 

Previous Wi-Fi generations forced devices to choose a single band, creating bottlenecks during peak demand. MLO provides a single access point to dynamically distribute traffic across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, dramatically increasing aggregate throughput.

Double the channel width

Wi-Fi 7 doubles the channel width to 320 MHz from Wi-Fi 6E’s 160 MHz. 

Increased QAM modulation and increased data rate

Combined with 4096-QAM modulation (versus 1024-QAM in the previous generation), the theoretical maximum data rate approaches 46 Gbps. What does that mean in real terms? In a large-scale deployment, these advancements mean sustained multi-gigabit performance even when tens of thousands of devices compete for bandwidth.

Speed and low latency

Beyond mere speed improvements, Wi-Fi 7’s lower latency characteristics also enable applications that were previously impractical in high density environments, helping to overcome the issues and expectations outlined above. 

What companies are offering Wi-Fi 7 compatible network hardware? 

The enterprise WLAN market is a highly competitive one, with many companies offering different strengths for varying wireless deployment scenarios. Companies with a Wi-Fi 7 offering include:

  • Cisco
  • HPE
  • Aruba
  • Extreme Networks
  • Ubiquiti
  • Ruckus Networks

What are the operational returns of upgrading to Wi-Fi 7?

There are many operational returns of upgrading to Wi-Fi 7, whether you are providing connectivity for a stadium, event venue, warehouse, retail unit or office building. Returns on Wi-Fi 7 investment for your business could be seen in:

  • User productivity
  • Social media engagement / organic marketing
  • Real time inventory management
  • Mobile point-of-sale transactions
  • Security camera feeds
  • Staff communications 
  • Improved transaction speeds in retail environments
  • Analysis of device density to show user movement patterns and give insights into crowd flow and congestion points
  • Adjusting staffing to meet demand in real time

What organisations can benefit from Wi-Fi 7 deployment? 

Wi-Fi 7 deployment can impact businesses and organisations across all industry sectors where they are managing connectivity in demanding physical environments, including but not limited to:

  • Warehouses
  • Manufacturing floors
  • Hospitals 
  • University and college campuses
  • Convention centres
  • Shopping centres
  • Corporate headquarters
  • Office buildings 

These premises all share characteristics that can make wireless deployment difficult: 

  • Large footprints
  • Physical obstructions
  • Unpredictable user density
  • Business-critical applications competing for bandwidth

Wi-Fi 7 for Enterprise Networks

We began this article looking at stadium Wi-Fi, but the principles that govern that type of space also apply directly to other enterprises. IT leaders in all the environments mentioned above should:

  • Treat connectivity as foundational infrastructure rather than a discretionary amenity; every digital initiative depends on it.
  • Plan for peak demand rather than average utilisation, because network failures occur precisely when the most users need access.
  • Recognise the operational value of a robust network, which often exceeds the guest-facing benefits; the same infrastructure that serves visitors also powers point-of-sale systems, IoT sensors, security cameras, and workforce applications.
  • Prioritise vendors with proven expertise in RF-hostile environments, because access points that perform adequately in open office plans often fail in spaces with concrete, metal, or high human density.
  • View Wi-Fi refresh cycles as strategic investments with multi-year payback horizons rather than routine equipment replacements.

Don’t treat connectivity as an afterthought. Organisations need to deliver the experiences that modern guests, employees, and customers demand. Will you be deploying Wi-Fi 7 in your business? 

Get in touch with our Wi-Fi Experts at Geekabit

If you’re interested in Wi-Fi 7 for your business, then get in touch with us today. Our expert Wi-Fi engineers across London, Cardiff and the South Coast can carry out Site Surveys and provide Wi-Fi Planning and Design so that your deployment offers the best connectivity possible. 

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Could 2026 Be Wi-Fi 7’s Breakout Year? Cisco Thinks So

Matt MacPherson, CTO at Cisco, says 2026 could reveal a Wi-Fi 7 turning point.

Wi-Fi 7 has long been in the pipeline, but with notably low adoption rates (especially in the United States) it might not seem that way. But now, according to Cisco, the stars have finally aligned for Wi-Fi 7 with the perfect timing of 3 main things seeing a marked turning point. . 

Cisco CTO Matt MacPherson believes 2026 will be the turning point for Wi-Fi 7 due to the alignment of:

  • Market conditions
  • Deployment readiness
  • Customer Demand 

Let’s take a look at each of these in turn to see what their convergence could mean for more widespread adoption of Wi-Fi 7. 

How Are Market Conditions and Device Readiness Affecting Wi-Fi 7 Uptake?

Devices are ready now. Top of the range phones from the likes of Apple and Samsung were compatible with Wi-Fi 7 last year (2025). In 2026 we’ll start to see this more across the board, to include other devices like laptops. Devices bought now are more likely to have Wi-Fi 7 compatibility. 

Can We Skip Wi-Fi 6E and Go Straight to Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 brings an essential refresh. Wi-Fi 6E unfortunately caused a degree of confusion, with many customers still using Wi-Fi 5 and wondering what the benefit was to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E or just wait for Wi-Fi 7. Cisco is starting to see a long overdue refresh already, now that enough Access Points (APs) are finally available. Customers are more than ready to go to the next technology. Any confusion about whether to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E is mopped up with the introduction of a new full generation – Wi-Fi 7.

Will Wi-Fi 7 Bring More Benefits to End Users?

The Wi-Fi 7 standard is set to be the most reliable generation yet. It’s jam-packed with features to provide a reliable connection, such as:

  • Multi-Link Operation (MLO) – This allows devices to dynamically choose the best path by using multiple bands simultaneously
  • Enhanced OFDMA and MU-MIMO – These provide more efficient resource allocation to handle more devices and data.

These features, sets of applications and services couldn’t be done before, resulting in a standard which expands the market for Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 7 will grow its set of use cases, and should be able to handle the increased demand that will come with it. Cisco believes that everything is aligned for a big boom in the Wi-Fi market this year. 

Here’s 3 Reasons Why Cisco Thinks 2026 Will be Wi-Fi 7’s Breakout Year

In conclusion, as 2026 unfolds Cisco sees 3 main things leading to the breakthrough that Wi-Fi 7 needs.

  1. Availability of Wi-Fi 7 devices removing the barrier to wider adoption of the standard
  2. An increase in scale with a fresh demand is leading to a Wi-Fi standard refresh and deployment readiness
  3. Redefining what Wi-Fi can support realistically with new architectural features will mean Wi-Fi 7 devices can meet customer demand and expectations
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New Ubiquiti UDB Switch Offers 5 and 6 GHz Wi-Fi Uplink and PoE+

(Image source: Ubiquiti)

Ubiquiti’s new UniFi Device Bridge (UDB) Switch is designed to easily connect multiple remote IoT devices with wired connections to a network and supply them with power via Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+). 

How does the UDB Switch Work?

The UDB switch connects IoT devices with wired connections to a network and supplies them with power via PoE+ by using a Wi-Fi 7 uplink across 3 frequencies. 

For example, an environment with heavy Wi-Fi traffic would use the 6 GHz band. 

For wired devices that are installed in places that can’t be reached with a cable, the UDB switch acts as a Wi-Fi Bridge. The switch also has features that can bring PoE devices onto a network.

Power

The UDB switch itself needs 25 watts of power, but it also supplies 185 watts to connected powered devices. These can be connected to eight RJ45 ports. PoE+ (also known as IEEE 802.3at) with up to 30 watts is available as well. 

It should be noted that Ubiquiti only includes a 60 watt power supply with the switch, which reduces its power budget to just 35 watts. Users who need more than that should order the optional power supply with 210 watts.

Speed

Furthermore, there are noteworthy differences in terms of speed. One of the ports is a 10GbE connection that can also serve as an uplink, while the other 802.3bz ports offer up to 2.5GbE.

Network Connections

For connecting to the main network, the UDB switch also has a Wi-Fi unit. The 6 GHz and 5 GHz bands are used for this, it does not support the lower band. Moreover, it supports the Wi-Fi standards 802.11a/n/ac/ax/be and WPA3. According to the spec sheet, 802.11b/g is not supported.

Diagnostics and Environment

For diagnostics on-site, the Ubiquiti UDB switch comes with a small non-touch status display. 

The network device is also flexible in diverse environments such as warehouses where temperature can fluctuate. The UDB switch can be used in cooler environments down to -30°C and warmer climates up to 40°C. 

If you’re going for the optional additional power supply, then do bear in mind that it’s only suitable for temperatures above freezing. 

Coming Soon

Ubiquiti’s new switch will be available in the UK soon for £286.80 inc. VAT. 

You can shop the range of Ubiquiti Wi-Fi Bridging on their website here. 

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Wi-Fi 8 – The Smarter, More Stable Wi-Fi Standard

Can Wi-Fi 8 bring the stability of a wired network to wireless? Let’s look at handovers, coordination between wireless technologies, and the influence of AI.

Based on the upcoming 802.11bn standard, Wi-Fi 8 is purported to be smarter and more stable than it’s Wi-Fi 7 predecessor, instead of merely faster.

According to an announcement by Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 8 will respond to new needs in both home networks and business by focusing on reliability and consistency, even in poorer conditions. 

Qualcomm’s Vice President of Technical Standards Rolf De Vegt said;

“Wi-Fi 8 marks a fundamental pivot — moving beyond peak speeds to prioritize reliable performance in challenging real-world conditions. It’s designed to deliver consistent, low-latency and near-lossless connectivity even in highly congested, interference-prone and mobile environments.” 

Whilst the main design feature of Wi-Fi 7 is to maximize speed and bandwidth, Wi-Fi 8 will focus on stability of performance. In lab conditions, there were impressive results for Wi-Fi 7 speeds, however this is harder to replicate in reality within everyday environments like office buildings and residential areas. Wi-Fi 8 will provide stability even when faced with congestion, interference or multiple devices moving in real world environments.  

According to Qualcomm, Wi-Fi 8 plans to offer:

  • 25% higher throughput in challenging signal conditions such as blocks of flats
  • 25% lower latency at the 95th percentile of latency distribution
  • 25% fewer dropped packets when roaming between access points

Handover, What Handover?

Wi-Fi 8 will see the wonders of Single Mobility Domains. Traditionally, small interruptions during the handover process between access points are completely normal happenings. A major innovation of Wi-Fi 8 will mean that devices will be able to move between access points without any interruption or lag. Just imagine – Continuous, uninterrupted connectivity as you move throughout domains within a multi-storey office or large buildings where users (and their devices) are always moving around. 

Previous standards saw the edges of a network as a weak spot. Wi-Fi 8 will also bring improvements to this area. Technical adjustments in the optimisation of the physical layer of the protocol means that Wi-Fi 8 doesn’t just increase transmission power, leading to more stable performance even at low signal strength. 

Another improvement will see access points working together rather than separately. Wi-Fi 8 will enable the coordination of behaviour and sharing of information between access points in a network. This will help to reduce conflict on the radio frequencies and improve the efficiency of transmission time. Thus, Wi-Fi 8 will bring a smoother network environment for places with many users and devices for example, stadiums, schools or blocks of flats. 

Better Coordination Between Wireless Technologies

Research is being conducted to look at how radio systems such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ultra-wideband can work better together instead of causing interference. The use of multiple wireless technologies by a single device simultaneously (devices using a single antenna for multiple radios) is becoming more prevalent, making the need for better coordination between the technologies vital. 

Prevalence of AI Leading Wi-Fi 8 to Focus on Stability Instead of Speed

AI is placing a huge raw demand on networks, especially in terms of reliability and latency. 

We’re seeing an increase in prevalence of wearable AI, smart device embedded AI and autonomous AI. In order for AI systems to work effectively, they need to be able to pull from access edge or cloud based systems in near real time, making reliable connectivity vital.

The current Wi-Fi standard is struggling to support the abundance of AI use in everyday life. These struggles aren’t anything new – The ever increasing use of personal devices using wireless connectivity has been putting a strain on Wi-Fi networks for a while. 

With the evolution of smart homes, the size and scope of our networks has needed to expand quickly in order to support the number of devices used in our houses.Indeed, larger homes are requiring enterprise-grade networks in order to meet the level of connectivity people expect. 

Wi-Fi 8 and Medical Monitoring Devices

AI garners much of the attention when discussing Wi-Fi 8 and the need for stability over speed, however there is another prevailing need increasing in our homes and that is medical monitoring devices. 

Doctors are starting to rely on patients self-monitoring from home more and more. For the health of non-critical patients, these home-based options are a real life-line. Doctors can keep tabs on patients without the need for them to visit the practice as regularly. 

This is yet another area where network reliability and response time is imperative to enable doctors to communicate with patients via their home network, especially in potentially life-threatening situations. 

Will Wi-Fi 8 Bring the Stability of Wired to our Wireless Networks?

In the press release, De Vegt writes that they want Wi-Fi 8 to bring wireless networks closer to having the same reliability and responsiveness of wired infrastructure. Whether or not Wi-Fi 8 manages to get close to that ambitious aim we’ll have to wait and see. 

The Wi-Fi 8 standard is expected to be finalised in January 2028, so there’s still a little while to wait. You can read the full press release from Qualcomm here.  

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What Does Wi-Fi 8 Have to Offer?

The short answer is Wi-Fi 8 UHR (Ultra High Reliability) is being designed to deliver:

  • Longer range
  • Better reliability
  • Improved performance
  • More security

For the first time in almost 30 years, the latest standard of Wi-Fi to be released (Wi-Fi 8) will not be arriving with an increase in speed, like the standards that have come before. 

Based on the forthcoming IEEE 802.11bn standard, this next generation of Wi-Fi will instead be touting Ultra High Reliability (it’s in the name). It’s expected to start certification at the start of 2028. 

This change from speed to reliability shows a strategic shift from merely chasing throughput, to delivering dependable, consistent connectivity to environments dense with devices. 

Wi-Fi 8 UHR Designed with User Experience in Mind 

It sounds rather obvious, but the main focus with next-generation technology needs to be the end user and their experience. 

In everyday life we use applications constantly, the majority sensitive to latency. We need things to work in real-time in a responsive and reliable way. 

This ‘always-on’ approach to connectivity has crept forward in importance over an increase of 1 or 2 Gbps. 

What’s the use of speed if the reliability isn’t there to back it up? Wi-Fi 8 is all about making the best use of Wi-Fi. 

Certification for Wi-Fi 7 Has Begun

If you’re sitting there thinking, wait a minute, we’re chatting about Wi-Fi 8 but have we even got Wi-Fi 7 yet? Well, no. At the start of this year back in January, Wi-Fi 7 began its certification process. 

In theoretical terms, Wi-Fi 7 can offer:

  • Peak downlink speed of 46 Gbps using 16 spatial streams
  • 320 megahertz channels in 6 GHz bands
  • 4096 QAM
  • Support for Multi-Link Operation (MLO)

Wi-Fi 8 will then follow this up by introducing new capabilities that are not optimised for peak speed. Instead, the new Wi-Fi 8 standard will focus on overcoming alternative obstacles to good Wi-Fi, like environments with jitter, interference, and range issues. 

Where Will Wi-Fi 8 Have the Highest Impact? 

As well as speed, the new Wi-Fi 8 standard will focus on being consistent and predictable with seamless performance for scenarios with multiple devices and multiple access points.

This will make Wi-Fi 8 most impactful for things like:

  • Extended reality
  • Cloud-based gaming
  • Industrial automation
  • Real-time communications

Thus, the scope for a big impact is huge. 

The Evolution of Wi-Fi 7 to Wi-Fi 8

Moving from Wi-Fi 7 to Wi-Fi 8 will be less of an abrupt departure from one standard to another, but instead an evolution of technology. In many ways. So how will Wi-Fi 8 deliver Ultra High Reliability? 

Let’s have a look at the main upgrades in architecture we’ll see from Wi-Fi 8 UHR. 

Range

There will be longer range and higher speeds at a given range with Wi-Fi 8. 

  • Signal resilience across longer distances will be brought by Enhanced Long Range (ELR) optimisations. 
  • APs will be able to transmit higher speeds at any given range through unequal modulations. 
  • Distributed Resource Unit (DRU) technology improves range by spreading resource units across a wider channel bandwidth enabling higher transmit powers.

Interference Management

There will be smarter coordination through Coordinated Spatial Reuse (Co-SR) and Coordinated Beamforming (Co-BF). 

  • This allows interference to be managed through mesh nodes and APs while sharing spectrum. 
  • Seamless roaming through Muilti-APs, ensuring better device handoff between APs without degradation providing a smoother user experience.

Improved Error Correction

Improved error correction and roaming will improve reliability. 

  • Error correction at range and in noisy environments is enhanced with Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding. 
  • Higher speeds at a given distance are possible with more Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) options, providing more granular rate selection and more precise matching to real-time signal conditions.

Adaptive Channel Access

Adaptive channel access and smarter spectrum use will help improve throughput and reduce bandwidth waste. 

  • APs can dynamically assign sub-channels to different clients based on changing situational conditions via Dynamic Sub-Channel Operation (DS). 
  • Non-Primary Channel Access (NPCA) enables data transmission on side channels when the primary channel is congested. 
  • DSO and NPCA respectively reduce bandwidth waste and improve effective throughput.

Stronger Security

Malicious actions that could potentially disrupt Wi-Fi based services and jeopardise user security like jamming or spoofing can be prevented via Wi-Fi authentication and management frames being encrypted.

Wi-Fi 8: Reliability Over Speed?

Obviously as Wi-Fi users we want speed. We want, and have come to expect, a fast connection wherever we are, whether it’s for work or leisure time. But actually – What’s the point of having that theoretical speed sitting there, if the connection isn’t reliable? How frustrating is it to have that video call freeze or the internet drop out at a crucial part of an online game? 

Reliability is key – It’s what users in real life want and need. Previous Wi-Fi generations have been all about speed so we’ve got that box ticked already, but what Wi-Fi 8 brings is what people need for the way we use our devices – Ultra High Reliability. 

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