Networking solutions: How Ubiquiti brings Wi-Fi 7 to deployments from small offices to global enterprise networks with Qualcomm Dragonwing

From large stadiums to small offices, today's high-performance devices require multi-gigabit speeds and real-time responsiveness. Ubiquiti's Wi-Fi 7 access points (APs) lineup deliver multi-gigabit connectivity directly to client devices, ensuring seamless performance across diverse environments. With scalable, license-free networking solutions, Ubiquiti is enabling the hyper-connected world of modern business.

To bring its breakthrough vision for Wi-Fi 7 access points to life, Ubiquiti turned to a long-time trusted collaborator: Qualcomm Technologies. Powered by the Dragonwing Networking Wi-Fi 7 platforms, Ubiquiti's access points lineup integrates the full capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 and offers significant advantages over previous generations, including:

• Multi-Link Operation (MLO) to boost throughput, reduce latency, and enhance reliability.
• Ultra-wide 320MHz channels for massive capacity gains.
• 4K QAM for lightning-fast data transfer.

With its advanced and modular networking architecture, the Dragonwing N7 Platform and Dragonwing NPro 7 Platform align perfectly with Ubiquiti's software-driven innovation strategy.

"The Dragonwing Wi-Fi 7 Networking Platforms combine powerful quad-core processing with advanced high-speed networking to deliver exceptional performance," said Tom Hildebrand, Ubiquiti Engineer. "Its ability to seamlessly route and shape traffic provides the flexibility our customers need to scale and adapt with confidence."

The scalable Dragonwing platforms support both dual- and tri-band configurations. This enables Ubiquiti to bring the core innovations of Wi-Fi 7 to more cost-sensitive markets and regions (including those that do not have 6GHz spectrum available) through other solutions in their lineup, such as UniFi U7 Lite.

Next-gen connectivity even outdoors

A leader in enterprise connectivity transformation, Ubiquiti further expanded the reach and flexibility of its next-gen wireless networks with its first 6GHz outdoor Wi-Fi solution. The U7 Pro Outdoor and Enterprise APs enable this breakthrough connectivity in large open-air settings, such as stadiums and campuses.

While 6GHz spectrum has traditionally been limited to indoor use due to spectrum regulations, outdoor deployments in North America are now possible with automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems. Ubiquiti once again turned to Qualcomm innovation. The Dragonwing AFC Suite, a complete turnkey solution integrating geolocation technology, was integrated to manage spectrum sharing with 6GHz spectrum incumbent users.

"With Dragonwing AFC Suite, 6 GHz Wi-Fi can now meet the indoor and outdoor deployment needs of our customers, including extended range unheard of with Wi-Fi 6E," said Hildebrand.

Real-world impact: From convention centers to stadiums

Ubiquiti's expanding Wi-Fi 7 portfolio is already delivering enterprise-grade connectivity at scale across diverse, high-density environments. And the results speak for themselves.

More than 6,000 attendees to a week-long event hosted in a Canadian convention center enjoyed flawless wireless connectivity, even under heavy traffic and with 40% of clients using 6GHz. One of the largest 6GHz deployments they've done in North America, Ubiquiti used their E7 and E7 Campus APs to provide users with reliable, content-rich experiences across their devices, including smartphones and laptops.

Also in North America, Ubiquiti is upgrading an 18,000-person-capacity arena, both inside and out, to Wi-Fi 7 from an increasingly inadequate Wi-Fi 5. Early results already show over 120 users per AP with seamless performance. Once the full deployment of UniFi Enterprise APs is complete, it will be a gamechanger.

Through its collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Ubiquiti is bringing the full promise of Wi-Fi 7 to life. From flagship enterprise deployments with the high-capacity E7 series to cost-conscious rollouts with the U7 Lite and super-compact 10G Cloud Gateway Express 7, customers can meet the connectivity needs of today and into the future.