Wi-Fi 6 is the solid baseline for offices. Wi-Fi 6E adds the 6 GHz band, which is less crowded. Wi-Fi 7 adds wider channels and can use several bands at once. Since January 2026 India allows Wi-Fi in the lower 6 GHz band, so 6E and 7 access points can now use it indoors.
The three generations at a glance
| Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 802.11ax | 802.11ax | 802.11be |
| Bands | 2.4 and 5 GHz | 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz | 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz |
| Widest channel | 160 MHz | 160 MHz | 320 MHz |
| Main gain | Handles many devices better | Clean 6 GHz space | Wider channels, multi-band connections |
| Good for | Most offices today | Busy floors, meeting rooms | New builds planning for the next several years |
What changed in India in 2026
Until recently, 6 GHz Wi-Fi was not allowed in India, so Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 access points could not use their main advantage. On 20 January 2026 the Department of Telecommunications notified rules that delicense 5925 to 6425 MHz, a 500 MHz slice, for Wi-Fi.
Indoor low-power devices are allowed, with power limits. Some uses are not allowed, such as in vehicles, boats and oil platforms, or to control drones. For an office, the practical point is simple: 6 GHz is now usable indoors.
India's 500 MHz is smaller than the 1200 MHz some countries allow, so there is room for fewer of the widest 320 MHz channels. For most offices that does not matter. The cleaner band is the real benefit.
Which should you buy?
- Small office, standard use: Wi-Fi 6 is still a good, affordable choice.
- Busy floors, lots of video calls, crowded area: Wi-Fi 6E or 7, to get onto 6 GHz.
- New fit-out you will use for years: price Wi-Fi 7 access points, and cable for them now.
Keep in mind that your devices need to support the newer standard too. An older laptop will connect to a Wi-Fi 7 access point, but only at its own speed.
Things that matter more than the number
- Placement. Access points should go where people work, based on a survey, not wherever a cable is handy. 6 GHz does not pass through walls as well, so placement matters even more.
- Cabling and power. Newer access points can need more than 1 Gbps and more PoE. Cat6A is the safe choice. See our Cat6 vs Cat6A guide.
- Switches. Check the switch has enough PoE budget and fast uplinks. Our network switches guide explains this.
- Separate networks. Keep guest Wi-Fi apart from staff and CCTV using VLANs, behind a proper firewall.
Last updated 4 November 2026