Wi-Fi 7 is here, but what does it mean for South African networks?

Waseem Bhamjee, Support Technician at Duxbury Networking.

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It is easy to get swept up in the jargon of new technology releases where everything is faster, smarter, and more efficient. But what matters in the real world is whether these advances solve actual problems. 

With Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), we are finally looking at a standard that was built not just for more devices, but for the new way networks are used: always on, always mobile, and increasingly business-critical.

As South Africa’s technology landscape adapts to growing digital demands, from smart campuses to connected healthcare and automation-heavy manufacturing, the arrival of Wi-Fi 7 presents a timely evolution. 

And with HPE Aruba Networking’s new 700 Series access points now available, we are getting a glimpse into what this next chapter of wireless can actually deliver.

The most obvious benefit of Wi-Fi 7 is speed. Of course, it is significantly faster. Thanks to support for 320 MHz channels and 4K QAM modulation, the new standard effectively doubles the throughput of Wi-Fi 6E.

But it is not just about raw performance. Multi-Link Operation (MLO) allows for simultaneous use of different frequency bands, like 5GHz and 6GHz, to increase reliability and reduce latency. 

That makes a major difference in environments where stability is just as important as speed. For instance, think of real-time applications like AR/VR, remote operations, or mission-critical video calls.

The new 700 Series range (that includes the AP-725, AP-735, and AP-755) is Aruba’s Wi-Fi 7 portfolio designed for the real-world complexity of enterprise wireless environments. Here is how they differ:

• AP-725 is the entry point: compact, efficient, and ideal for general-purpose deployments like classrooms or office floors.
• AP-735 steps up with more performance and coverage, aimed at higher density environments like conference venues or retail floors.
• AP-755 is the top-end unit, designed for ultra-dense, high-capacity environments such as stadiums, hospitals, or university campuses.

All models are equipped with tri-band radios (2.4, 5, and 6GHz), multi-gigabit uplinks, and built-in IoT support for Zigbee and Bluetooth. Crucially, they also integrate directly into the Aruba Central AI-powered management platform, giving IT teams real-time visibility and simplified provisioning.

We are seeing a growing number of South African businesses needing to manage dozens, sometimes hundreds, of access points across widely distributed sites. And often, the teams managing them are small, under pressure, and need to keep things running with minimal room for error.

The 700 Series helps by making the network not just faster, but smarter. Aruba’s AI-driven features can detect anomalies, suggest fixes, and even automate common tasks, thereby reducing response times and avoiding disruptions before they affect end-users.

While Wi-Fi 6 and 6E are still very much relevant, organisations building for scale, edge deployments, or high client-density networks should be actively looking at Wi-Fi 7 as part of their roadmap.

Duxbury Networking is currently working closely with partners on the introduction and testing of the 700 Series in South Africa, and early feedback from local environments has been promising. So, whether you are laying the foundation for a smart building, improving wireless in your distribution hubs, or rethinking campus connectivity, Wi-Fi 7 is worth a serious look. And Aruba’s 700 Series is a strong place to start.