Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E/7 & private 5G
Wireless is where most people meet the network, and where most office complaints start. Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax with the 6 GHz band) and Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) add clean 6 GHz spectrum; Wi-Fi 7 adds multi-link operation, which spreads traffic over several links, and 320 MHz channels. A good design starts with a site survey, channel and power planning, and the wired uplinks to match, not with the access point model.
What we do
- Predictive and on-site RF surveys with channel and power plans
- Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 deployments with 6 GHz
- WPA3-Enterprise with 802.1X and certificate-based device identity
- Fast roaming (802.11r/k/v) for voice and handhelds
- Guest, IoT and corporate segmentation on shared radios
- CBRS private LTE/5G design and spectrum access coordination
- Neutral-host and indoor cellular options
- Wireless monitoring, rogue detection and capacity reviews
Security and roaming matter as much as speed. WPA3 requires protected management frames and disallows legacy protocols; 802.1X with certificates keeps device identity tied to the identity system; 802.11r, k and v speed up roaming for voice and handhelds. In the US, 47 CFR 15.407 lets standard-power 6 GHz access points operate only after checking an automated frequency coordination (AFC) system, and registering their location, while low-power indoor access points are limited to indoor use at lower power.
Where Wi-Fi is not the right tool, private cellular is: warehouses, campuses and plants that need coverage, mobility and deterministic behavior. In the US the shared CBRS band (3550 to 3700 MHz, FCC Part 96, the Citizens Broadband Radio Service with Priority Access and General Authorized Access tiers managed by a Spectrum Access System) lets an organization run its own LTE or 5G network under a spectrum access system. 3GPP 5G adds a standalone core and slicing. We select and operate these as experience with the platforms below, never as a reseller.
Leading platforms we work with
- Ubiquiti
- OnGo Alliance (CBRS)
- Open5GS
- srsRAN
- HPE Aruba
Platforms and practices
- Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax)
- Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be)
- 6 GHz and AFC planning
- WPA3 and 802.1X
- 802.11r/k/v roaming
- Site surveys and RF planning
- CBRS private LTE (FCC Part 96)
- Private 5G standalone cores
- Neutral-host indoor cellular
- Wireless controllers and cloud management
- Open-source 5G cores and RAN for labs
- Priority Access and General Authorized Access planning
- AFC registration for standard-power 6 GHz
References
- IEEE 802.11be-2024 (Extremely High Throughput)
- Wi-Fi Alliance: Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7
- Wi-Fi Alliance: security (WPA3)
- OnGo Alliance (CBRS)
- 3GPP: 5G system overview
- Ubiquiti UniFi Wi-Fi
- 47 CFR Part 96: Citizens Broadband Radio Service (Cornell LII)
- 47 CFR 15.407: 6 GHz standard power and low power indoor rules (Cornell LII)
- Open5GS
- srsRAN
Sources last checked .
Product names are trademarks of their owners and are listed to describe our experience; they do not imply endorsement or partnership.
How we use Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E/7 & private 5G for clients
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions we hear most. Something else on your mind?
Send us a messageDo we need Wi-Fi 7, or is Wi-Fi 6E enough?
For most offices Wi-Fi 6E with clean 6 GHz spectrum is enough. Wi-Fi 7 adds multi-link operation and 320 MHz channels, which help where many high-throughput clients need low latency. Client devices must support it too, so a survey of what your people actually carry comes first.
Why does the wired network matter for Wi-Fi?
Access points are only as fast as their uplinks and power. Multi-gigabit switch ports, enough PoE budget and good cabling are part of the design, which is why a site survey and wired planning come before choosing the access point model.
What is AFC and does it affect 6 GHz Wi-Fi in the US?
Automated frequency coordination is a database check that protects incumbent users of the 6 GHz band. Standard-power 6 GHz access points in the US are expected to work with it, so outdoor and higher-power deployments need compatible equipment and a path to the coordination service.
When is private cellular better than Wi-Fi?
In warehouses, campuses and plants that need wide coverage, mobility and predictable behavior for moving devices. Wi-Fi is usually cheaper for offices. Private cellular adds spectrum, SIM and core management, so it is chosen when coverage and mobility justify that overhead.
Can guests and IoT devices share the same radios as staff?
Yes, with segmentation. Separate SSIDs or per-device keys map each group to its own network, so a guest or a camera cannot reach corporate systems. WPA3 and 802.1X with certificates tie staff devices to identity.
What should we plan for before choosing private 5G or private LTE?
Plan for spectrum and the Spectrum Access System, radio coverage from a site survey, how devices and SIM cards are enrolled, and how the network connects to your core and security tools. Wi-Fi may still fit some areas. We survey the site before recommending either.