In today's hyper-connected world, the difference between frustration and satisfaction with your home internet often comes down to your WiFi router. Enter WiFi 7—the latest breakthrough in wireless technology poised to transform how families, gamers, remote workers and smart home enthusiasts experience their internet connection. While this next-generation technology was developed by industry standards bodies, what's truly innovative is how forward-thinking providers like us are bringing it to market.
We sat down with Danielle Leng, Senior Manager, Marketing Communications, to help us understand how WiFi 7 is helping us deliver exceptional value to our customers.
Q: For folks who are not familiar with it, what exactly is WiFi 7?
A: WiFi 7 is the next evolutionary step in wireless internet technology. In today's homes, you might have dozens of devices—smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, security cameras, thermostats and more—all competing for bandwidth. A WiFi 7 router is specifically designed to manage this congestion without slowing down. Previous generations like WiFi 6 were, and are, still very good, but WiFi 7 brings several key improvements. In addition to having stronger signal coverage, WiFi 7 uses multiple frequency bands simultaneously, has wider channels to move more data at once and employs advanced techniques to reduce interference. This means smoother video calls, less buffering when streaming, more responsive online gaming and better performance when everyone in the house is online at the same time. With older routers, you might have a high-speed internet plan, but your actual experience could be much slower due to router limitations. WiFi 7 removes that bottleneck, giving you the full value of your internet service no matter how many devices you connect.
Q: What makes our WiFi 7 offering unique compared to other providers rolling out similar technology?
A: We were the first major ISP in the Northwest to adopt it, and I think the key difference is that we're not placing customers in a box depending on what speed they choose. Some companies might say, "Get 2-Gig service and you'll get the latest WiFi router." We're not doing that. We're not giving you an older router just because you picked a more conservative speed tier. We want you to have the best experience regardless of what speed you choose. What this means for customers is that they don't have to make difficult budget decisions between higher speeds and better equipment. We believe everyone deserves access to cutting-edge technology—including the fastest home internet in America. We're ensuring that even customers with more modest internet needs don't have to compromise on their home networking experience.
Q: How does the installation and setup process for WiFi 7 compare to previous generations?
A: The setup of the actual device is very similar. Most of these devices are like getting a new iPhone—there's not much difference in the user interface. The router setup is very similar with an Ethernet port and power cord that need to be plugged in. The difference with WiFi 7 is that it comes with an app that WiFi 6 did not have. This app is specific to the device manufacturer and allows customers to change their password settings, privacy settings, parental settings and more. So, while the physical setup is very similar, you get more features and benefits with WiFi 7.
Q: These days, people are concerned about security with their home networks. Does WiFi 7 offer any improvements in this area compared to previous generations?
A: Absolutely. Security is a top priority for Ziply Fiber, and WiFi 7 brings some important advancements in this area. The new routers support the latest WPA3 security protocols, which provide much stronger encryption than previous standards. This means your data and personal information are better protected as they travel across your network. What's particularly valuable about our WiFi 7 implementation is the dedicated app I mentioned earlier. It gives customers much more visibility and control over their network security. You can easily see which devices are connected to your network, set up guest networks with limited access for visitors and even establish parental controls to protect your kids online. Another security benefit that's often overlooked is that WiFi 7's greater range and coverage actually improves security. With older routers, people sometimes set up insecure extenders or repeaters to cover dead zones, which can create vulnerabilities. Since our WiFi 7 router provides comprehensive coverage for most homes without additional equipment, it eliminates these potential security gaps.
Q: What would you say to a customer with lots of devices who might be on the fence about upgrading to WiFi 7?
A: The first thing I'd tell them is that our WiFi 7 router is designed specifically to work with our network, so you get the best possible performance. Second, it's the latest technology on the market. In fact, we're so early in adopting it that many current devices, like laptops and iPhones, are still built for WiFi 6. But the great thing is, our WiFi 7 router is fully backward compatible—so your current devices will still connect and perform beautifully. Plus, when you upgrade your devices down the line, you'll already be set up to support them at their peak performance.
Future-proofing your home connectivity today
WiFi 7 represents more than just an incremental upgrade in wireless technology—it's a fundamental shift in how we experience connectivity in our homes. As the digital demands of modern households continue to evolve, Ziply Fiber's innovative approach of making this cutting-edge technology accessible to all customers, regardless of their service tier, demonstrates a forward-thinking vision that places consumer experience at the forefront. WiFi 7 isn't just meeting today's connectivity needs—it's anticipating tomorrow's.
