Netgear: New WiFi 7 router and access points support mesh and multiple wireless networks for better security

[Redaktion]

Netgear has launched a new WiFi mesh solution that supposedly provides high-performance internet access for large apartments or homes, with Ethernet connectivity also supported. Although the Orbi 370 is a WiFi 7 system, it does come with certain limitations.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Netgear-New-WiFi-7-router-and-access-points-support-mesh-and-multiple-wireless-networks-for-better-security.1072497.0.html

[Observing]

Only the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands are supported,

So it is essentially WiFi 6.

[Enrico Frahn]

Only the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands are supported,

So it is essentially WiFi 6.

No, you still get the other benefits of WiFi 7, even without 6GHz.

[Observing]

Without the Spectrum of 6 Ghz, WiFi7 benefits are fairly minuscule.

See this analysis.

devices with built-in Wi-Fi 7 adapters, such as the Intel BE200 or Qualcomm NCM865 chips, both of which are MLO-enabled when used with Windows 11 24H2 or later, do not enjoy improved data rates via an MLO link—likely due to the lack of MLMR MLO support.

...

an MLO connection can give you a good feeling when checking the link's status, but it won't actually improve real-world data rates of any particular application.

As for the "low latency" notion, that's completely presumptuous. I've never seen an MLO do better in terms of lag compared to a pure 6GHz or 5GHz connection. Considering the airspace can be temperamental, though, the ability to automatically switch between these two bands never hurts.

Aside from all that, the use of MLO can be problematic, considering the security requirements mentioned above. Placing a band in an MLO SSID requires using it with WPA3 as the authentication method. As a result, millions of legacy devices that support WPA2 or lower can't connect to this SSID.

for the fronthaul, MLO is best used when you have only Wi-Fi 6 and newer clients, which won't be the case for years. Until then, this feature should be turned off when using a single Wi-Fi 7 broadcaster or a mesh with wired backhaul, unless you have the option to create (enough) additional virtual SSIDs with lower security requirements for existing clients.

So one of the main benefits of WiFi 7 (without the 6ghz spectrum) is hobbled by the limitations of the feature itself (on the client side, it isn't the fault of WiFi 7 itself.)

Get WiFi 7 for the 6Ghz band AND the other benefits, otherwise, there is very little reason to upgrade from 6/6e if speed/latency/compatibility are important.

[Enrico Frahn]

Without the Spectrum of 6 Ghz, WiFi7 benefits are fairly minuscule.

Depends. Many users are probably coming from WiFi 4/5 routers, in which case WiFi 7 without 6GHz can still be a decent upgrade.

[Observing]

If a user has a 4/5 router they are almost certainly 1) held back by cost concerns, 2) speed isn't a priority, 3) compatibility/functionality would be the priority.

A WiFi 7 router that is tri-band is usually MUCH more expensive than a 6/6e router.

This is the first time in Networking where I see the potential for the market to drag its feet more than usual for new technology.  WiFI 7 tri-band is a great technology, but it has its caveats and that could probably be addressed.

And the current US Government just gave a potential nod to the 6GHz spec to Wireless providers.  Nobody knows how that may potentially impact Tri-band WiFi 6a/7 routers already in place...