Navigating the Future of Connectivity: Services Opportunities around Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7 offers a wealth of new services opportunities that go beyond the routine wireless upgrade. Recently, I assisted a local school, where my children attend, as they embarked on a wireless network refresh initiative. As the first school in the Catholic Diocese to upgrade, they sought to replace their outdated patchwork of Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 devices from various manufacturers; this inconsistency in design, performance, and management, is particularly common in various sectors like education, retail, and healthcare, and perhaps an overall pervasive problem with aging infrastructure that pre-dates Wi-Fi 6/6E and earlier installations.

The school’s primary goal was straightforward, to establish a secure, reliable, and easy to manage network infrastructure capable of supporting current and future demands. To achieve this, they invited proposals from various local IT providers, including resellers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). As a Solutions Engineer in the IT industry working for Cisco Systems, I found it intriguing that all the solution proposals from the various vendors still centered around Wi-Fi 6E and older Wi-Fi 6 products — some of which would likely be announced soon for End-of-Life (EOL) or End-of-Sale (EOS)!

With Wi-Fi 7 entering its main adoption phase, I encouraged the school to look beyond Wi-Fi 6/6E. It became clear that information regarding Wi-Fi 7 was still trickling through the reseller and partner channels, and most were not well versed on the newer Wi-Fi 7 solutions. This prompted me to compile a summary of Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7 portfolio to highlight its transformative opportunities for end customers, resellers, and MSPs alike.

Focusing on the Key Takeaways regarding Cisco Wi-Fi 7

Cisco unveiled a comprehensive suite of Wi-Fi 7 products in November 2024 and followed up with additional product announcements in February 2025.

Key takeaways on Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7 product portfolio:

• Product Portfolio: Cisco introduced a wide array of Wi-Fi 7 products, from more entry-level Access Points (APs) to high-capacity, high-throughput models. These APs are ideal for supporting demanding applications such as High-Definition Video Streaming, Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Immersive Gaming and Entertainment, and help build an infrastructure that optimizes the adoption of various AI-related use cases.
  • CW9176 – Enterprise Class, High Density, High Performance, Omni-directional, Indoor AP, with single 10 mGig capable port, suitable for offices, conventional buildings, etc.
  • CW9176D – Enterprise Class, High Density, High Performance, Indoor AP with Directional Antenna, suitable for auditoriums, warehouses, long aisles/corridors, and/or areas with high ceilings.
  • CW9178 – Mission Critical, Ultra High Density, High Performance, Omni-directional, Indoor AP, with dual 10 mGig capable ports that can operate in active/active for higher throughput or active/passive to achieve high availability/redundancy purposes.

• • CW9172 – Moderate Density, Omni-directional, Indoor AP, ideal for retail, clinics, branch offices, or Multi Dwelling Units (MDUs) deployments like hotels, student housing, apartments, condominiums, etc.

• Unified Hardware: Cisco Wi-Fi 7 products now feature a single Product ID (PID) per model, greatly simplifying the quoting and ordering process. There are no longer different PIDs/SKUs based on regulatory domains or operation modes. All Cisco Wi-Fi 7 based APs are designed for global use and can detect and operate in either Meraki Dashboard or Catalyst (WLC) management mode automatically. Users can also switch between management modes without needing to contact technical support. These Global Use Access Points offer efficient, smart, and scalable operations with comprehensive connectivity capabilities that include Bluetooth, IoT, and geolocation capabilities.
• Unified Licensing: Cisco Wi-Fi 7 APs offer a streamlined experience with unified licensing, supporting all management modes with a single license. Available in two tiers—essentials and advantage—this system simplifies the ordering process. Essentials licensing provides fundamental network operation features, while Advantage licensing advanced functionality enabled through the inclusion of Cisco Spaces Advantage. This unified licensing approach enables customers to deploy networks using the same hardware across cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments. Additionally, the Cisco Networking Subscription includes comprehensive product support, addressing both hardware and software aspects.
• Power: With the exception of the CW9172I model, which supports DC input as an option, all Cisco Wi-Fi 7 based APs utilize Power Over Ethernet (PoE) as the power source. While these APs require at least 802.3at/PoE+ to function, they ideally need 802.3bt/PoE++/UPoE to enable full AP functionality.
• Ethernet Cabling Requirements: While existing Category 5e cabling can be re-used, it comes with limitations. To fully harness the throughput capabilities of the Wi-Fi 7 APs, Category 6/6A or better Ethernet cabling is recommended. Category 5e cabling supports a maximum throughput of 1 Gb up to 100 meters. In contrast, Category 6 cabling can potentially support up to 10 GbE, but only up to ~50 meters. For 10 GbE support over the full 100-meter distance, Category 6A or better cabling is required.

Opportunities that Wi-Fi 7 Brings for MSPs/Partners

Proposing a managed wireless service built around Wi-Fi 7 technology for an MSP can be compelling for several reasons:

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Wi-Fi 7 represents the latest advancement in wireless technology, offering higher transmission rates, lower latency, and enhanced reliability. By providing a service based on Wi-Fi 7, MSPs can position themselves as leaders in offering state-of-the-art solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers. By adopting Wi-Fi 7, MSPs help their customers future-proof their networks, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
• Increased Demand for High-Performance Connectivity: With the growing reliance on bandwidth-intensive applications such as video collaboration, augmented reality, and IoT, customers are seeking faster and more reliable connectivity. Wi-Fi 7 enables these high-performance applications, making managed Wi-Fi services more attractive to organizations looking to upgrade their infrastructure.
• Consulting and Deployment: As customers transition to Wi-Fi 7, MSPs have the opportunity for additional revenue streams by offering consulting, deployment, and ongoing monitoring and management services. This includes network design, installation, maintenance, and optimization services. MSPs can also provide consulting services to assist businesses in planning and implementing the transition to this new technology, as well as integrating it with related infrastructure.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: This includes upgrading Ethernet cabling, as well as the network switching infrastructure to support the higher throughputs, as well as the PoE/power requirements of the APs.  MSPs can also provide more advanced monitoring/automation capabilities or provide additional services that ensure the clients’ infrastructure can support the demands required from modern use cases.
• Comprehensive Service Offering: By leveraging Cisco’s Wi-Fi 7 portfolio, MSPs have the right building blocks to create a powerful and differentiated services offering. Bundling Wi-Fi 7 with value-added services such as advanced security features, AI-enhanced management tools, and in-depth analytics can significantly enhance a business’s network performance and security, providing a clear competitive edge.  Consider these compelling services add-on examples:
  • Assurance and Monitoring Services: Integrate solutions like ThousandEyes to offer clients unparalleled visibility into their network performance. This enables quick identification and resolution of issues, greatly improving the overall user experience and ensuring maximum operational efficiency.
  • Enhanced Security Services: Utilize Wi-Fi 7’s cutting-edge capabilities to integrate sophisticated security solutions. MSPs can deliver additional security services, including real-time threat detection and response, alongside proactive network monitoring. This not only protects client environments from evolving cyber threats but also reinforces trust in MSPs as security partners.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Wi-Fi 7’s ability to support a higher density of devices and more complex environments makes it ideal for scalable solutions. MSPs can offer flexible managed services that grow with their clients’ needs, from small businesses to large enterprises.
• Support for New Business Applications: Wi-Fi 7 enables new business applications and services, providing MSPs with opportunities to develop and support innovative solutions tailored to specific industry needs.  MSPs can offer tailored solutions that support new use cases, including IoT, video collaboration, and/or augmented reality.
• Comprehensive Wireless/Wi-Fi Management: The demand for integrated Wi-Fi systems that include AI-enhanced automation and analytics creates an opportunity for MSPs to offer comprehensive management services that optimize wireless connectivity and improved user experiences.

By adopting managed wireless networking services centered on Wi-Fi 7 technology, MSPs are well-equipped to meet the growing demand for advanced wireless solutions, thereby enriching their service offerings and driving business growth.

In the context of my story, the school took the guidance to heart and conducted a thorough evaluation of their options. Recognizing the transformative potential of leveraging cutting-edge technology, they concluded that a Cisco-based Wi-Fi 7 deployment simply made more sense. This choice not only fulfilled their goals of establishing a secure, reliable, and easy-to-operate network, but also emerged as the more practical and overall, more cost-effective solution for the long run. The solution provided an excellent balance between current needs with future scalability, ensuring longevity from their investments.

By adopting this more forward-thinking strategy, the school positioned itself at the forefront of technological advancement, setting an example for other schools in the district. Their approach serves as a reference, illustrating the benefits of embracing new technology to enhance educational environments. This move ensures they not only meet the current demands of digital learning but also lead the way in setting new standards for educational connectivity.

Register for the upcoming Managed Services Voice of the Engineer session to learn more about Cisco’s innovative Wi-Fi 7 portfolio

Additional Resources:

Product Datasheets

Deployment Guides

Hardware Installation Guide

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