Wi-Fi 7: What ISPs Need to Know for 2025 and Beyond

The Current Landscape

By the end of 2024, Wi-Fi 7 connections in Ireland accounted for less than 1% of all Wi-Fi usage, mirroring trends across much of Europe. However, in February 2025, eir became the first Irish ISP to launch a Wi-Fi 7 offering, bundling a Wi-Fi 7 router and booster with its 2 Gbps full-fiber plan for €49.99/month, targeting early adopters in urban areas like Dublin . Despite this advancement, legacy Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 4 and 5) still dominate, comprising 84% of connections in Ireland. Wi-Fi 6 adoption is growing but has yet to become mainstream.

Performance and Differentiation

Wi-Fi 7 offers theoretical speeds up to 46 Gbps, ultra-low latency, and advanced features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO). While current ISP offerings, such as eir’s 2 Gbps plan, are below Wi-Fi 7’s technical ceiling, the technology provides a premium experience for users demanding high-performance connectivity. ISPs are leveraging Wi-Fi 7-capable routers to differentiate premium full-fiber packages, appealing to gamers, remote workers, and tech enthusiasts who require superior in-home wireless performance.

Projected Trends

Industry analysts anticipate that Wi-Fi 7 adoption in Ireland will remain low through 2025, with growth accelerating from 2026 as device availability increases, prices drop, and more ISPs bundle Wi-Fi 7 CPE with multi-gigabit broadband plans. Urban areas with advanced fiber infrastructure are expected to lead initial adoption, while rural regions may lag due to slower fiber rollout and less demand for ultra-high speeds.

To justify premium pricing, ISPs will need to educate consumers on the tangible benefits of Wi-Fi 7, such as improved speeds in large homes, enhanced reliability for smart devices, and superior gaming and streaming experiences.

European Benchmarks

France leads Europe with a 1.5% Wi-Fi 7 connection share, driven by aggressive bundling of Wi-Fi 7 routers with high-speed fiber tariffs by major ISPs like Free (Iliad). In the UK, adoption rates are similar to Ireland’s, at 0.35% by the end of 2024. However, growth is expected as more ISPs, such as EE, bundle Wi-Fi 7 with gigabit plans. These benchmarks highlight the importance of strategic bundling and consumer education in driving Wi-Fi 7 adoption.

Euroroute: Your Strategic Partner

Euroroute stands ready to support Irish ISPs in navigating the Wi-Fi 7 landscape:

Early Access to Premium Wi-Fi 7 CPE:
Through partnerships with leading manufacturers, Euroroute offers early access to Wi-Fi 7-capable devices, ensuring ISPs can meet market expectations promptly.

Customisable Pre-Configuration and Deployment:
Euroroute’s no-touch deployment model delivers pre-configured Wi-Fi 7 routers tailored to ISP specifications, facilitating rapid rollouts with minimal internal resource strain.

Future-Ready ACS for Remote Management:
Leveraging AVSystem’s Cloud ACS, Euroroute provides comprehensive support for managing Wi-Fi 7-enabled networks, including remote diagnostics, firmware updates, and performance optimisation.

Launch and Bundling Strategy:
Beyond hardware, Euroroute offers strategic insights to help ISPs determine optimal launch timing and bundling packages for Wi-Fi 7 services, aligning with market trends and consumer demand.

Euroroute Recommendation

Wi-Fi 7 presents a significant opportunity for Irish ISPs to enhance service offerings and capture high-value customer segments. By understanding current trends, learning from European counterparts, and partnering with experts like Euroroute, ISPs can position themselves at the forefront of this technological evolution. For more information on how Euroroute can support your Wi-Fi 7 strategy, contact us today.