Should Your Institution Upgrade to Wi-Fi 7?

1. Do We Have a Need for Truly Future-Proof Hardware?

Wi-Fi 7 is designed to support next-generation applications, including 8K video streaming, augmented reality, virtual reality and immersive online learning. By adopting Wi-Fi 7 now, your institution can ensure its network is ready for the high-bandwidth, low-latency demands of these emerging technologies, giving you a competitive advantage over other schools and providing a better experience for students and faculty.

2. Is Network Congestion a Daily Challenge for Our Campus?

With the high density of devices per student and the proliferation of the Internet of Things, campus Wi-Fi networks are more crowded than ever. Wi-Fi 7’s advanced features, such as Multi-Link Operation and preamble puncturing, are specifically engineered to mitigate interference and deliver reliable connections even in the most crowded lecture halls and dormitories. MLO allows devices to simultaneously connect on multiple frequency bands, aggregating them for faster speeds or providing redundancy for enhanced reliability, which is crucial for online exams and real-time collaboration.

READ MORE: How technology can drive higher education enrollment.

3. Are Our Current Network Solutions Failing to Meet Our Needs?

If the institution is struggling with slow speeds, buffering or dropped connections even after a recent upgrade, it may indicate a need for more than just incremental improvement. Wi-Fi 7’s substantial gains in speed and efficiency could be the solution, particularly for bandwidth-intensive activities such as cloud computing, real-time collaboration and large-scale file transfers.

4. Are We Prepared to Upgrade Both Our Infrastructure and Devices?

The full benefits of Wi-Fi 7 can only be realized when both the network infrastructure (access points, controllers, switches) and the end-user devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) are Wi-Fi 7-compatible. While Wi-Fi 7 is backward-compatible, IT leaders must budget for new hardware and a phased rollout that aligns with device refresh cycles. The cost of a full campuswide refresh can be substantial and requires careful planning and strategic partnerships to ensure a smooth transition.

5. What Is the ROI of a Wi-Fi 7 Upgrade?

For many institutions, the ROI is not only about faster Wi-Fi but about enabling new academic and research opportunities. Wi-Fi 7 can enhance online learning, support cutting-edge research, and improve the overall student and faculty experience, which can be a powerful recruitment and retention tool. The cost must be weighed against these strategic benefits.