WiFi Pro devices not actually WiFi 7 compatible

[LuckyAOS189]

I recently upgraded to full fiber, the new hub and WiFi Pro extenders looked like a good solution with the more powerful WiFi 7 option. Since the broadband was installed I've had nothing but headaches, when I'm connected to the hub it's great, 907Mbps download and no problems, but when I'm connected to the WiFi extenders I'm lucky if I break 100Mbps. I've had engineers out, I've spent about 40 hours in total on the phone to different advisors who have just sent out new extenders, all with the same issue when all set up. Nobody is able to fix the issue. To make matters worse when I switch off the 6Ghz bandwidth from the hub everything seems to work fine. No signal drops, no problems with WiFi calling and when connected to the WiFi extenders I get on average 600Mbps. So to me it looks like the extenders can't cope, or aren't capable of the newer technology. Is the new equipment a total missale? I'd love some outside input to this, or someone to actually help get it working, because ee clearly can't! 

[JimM11]

@LuckyAOS189 When you switch off the 6Ghz signal SSID you kill the backhaul feature to the Smart Wireless devices, if you are finding that everything is still working as you would expect and getting speed's that you are happy with then just let it go at that. There are not enough tools in the EE armoury to find out anything that is going on with the mesh so you will just hit the brick wall....

If you have the 1.6Gb/s speed package you may just be a little on the low side for speed, that's all. 

[Northerner]

Hi @LuckyAOS189 

Do you actually need the extenders with your new WiFi router. It should extend further than the last router.

Thanks 

[LuckyAOS189]

Sadly yes, it's a very old property with a unique layout. The old walls kill wifi from where the router comes in. That wouldn't explain why I have to disable the 6Ghz in order for the extenders to work properly. Called ee again tonight and they still can't explain the problem or have any idea how to fix it. 

[LuckyAOS189]

But surely switching off the 6Ghz isn't the answer? It should work, they advertise "WiFi 7 in all corners of the house" so they must have the means and tools to diagnose and fix issues if they arise.

Based on that idea they would be better off selling a a service without wifi and telling customers to go to ubiquti if they need it. 

[Matt_124]

It's entirely possible the 6GHz is struggling with the walls in a way that the combination of 2.4GHz and 5GHz signals do not.

Possibly just getting through but with an extremely weakened signal strength, causing the inconsistency you're seeing.

Better a strong 5GHz than an extremely weakened 6GHz signal.

There are still benefits to the Wi-Fi 7 spec beyond the inclusion of the 6GHz band, as there are even some Wi-Fi 7 routers on the market that are only Dual-band 2.4 & 5GHz.

[JimM11]

@LuckyAOS189  And that's the way to do it for sure! There is a lot better mesh out there, but then again it's not £240, you only get what you pay for. And wi-fi 7 is inclusive of the 6Ghz band with all it's own problems to boot and only a speed demon. Wired backhaul to the unit's you will not have the 6Ghz issue!