Why Offshore Vessels Should Upgrade to WiFi 7: The Big Leap From WiFi 5

09/Jul/2025
Article Upgrade to WiFi 7

Many offshore vessels and oil rigs are still running on WiFi 5 (802.11ac) technology. When it was introduced, WiFi 5 was a huge improvement over older wireless standards — but that was nearly a decade ago. Today, offshore operations demand more from their networks: faster speeds, greater capacity, and rock-solid reliability in challenging environments. 

That’s where WiFi 7 (802.11be) comes in. Let’s break down what makes WiFi 7 a game-changer and why upgrading is well worth considering for your vessel or rig. 

What’s the Difference Between WiFi 5 and WiFi 7? 

Feature  WiFi 5  WiFi 7 
Top speed  Up to 3.5 Gbps  Over 40 Gbps 
Frequency bands  5 GHz only  2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz (Tri-band) 
Channel width  80 MHz (160 MHz in some cases)  Up to 320 MHz (double the size) 
Data streams  Up to 4  Up to 16 
Latency  Higher  Much lower, near real-time responsiveness 
Efficiency in crowded environments  Limited  Significantly better, designed for high-density areas 

Why This Matters Offshore 

Offshore vessels and rigs face unique network challenges:
Metal structures reflect signals, causing interference and dead spots.
Large numbers of users often share the connection — crew, contractors, systems, and IoT devices.
Bandwidth-hungry applications like video calls, streaming, and remote monitoring are now common. 

WiFi 7 helps address these issues: 

  • Faster speeds mean more users can do more at once — without slowing each other down. 
  • Tri-band operation gives more options for avoiding interference and managing traffic. 
  • Wider channels allow bigger “data highways,” so information flows faster even in busy areas. 
  • Improved efficiency means the network can better handle the challenges of reflections and congestion. 

The Benefits of Upgrading to WiFi 7 Offshore 

More reliable connectivity for crew welfare and operations — keep your team connected, happy, and productive. 

Support for modern applications — from HD video calls to real-time monitoring of critical systems. 

Future-proof your vessel or rig — WiFi 7 equipment will serve you well for many years, even as technology evolves. 

Better performance in tricky environments — WiFi 7 is built to work smarter in places where older WiFi struggles. 

No Upfront Investment — Just Better WiFi 

Upgrading might sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Through our Network as a Service (NaaS) solution, you can get WiFi 7 technology on board with no upfront cost. 

Here’s what we provide: 

  • A professional heatmap survey that factors in your vessel’s construction materials 
  • Best practice access point placement 
  • Ruckus WiFi 7 access points — the latest in wireless technology 
  • A fully managed service, keeping your network optimised 
  • 24/7/365 support from our in-house NOC 
  • A crew welfare usage management portal 

NaaS pricing starts at just £10 per access point per month. Contact us today to find out more. 

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