Eir launches 2Gb broadband with Wi-Fi 7 technology

Eir has become the first telecommunications provider in Ireland to offer Wi-Fi 7 technology to its customers, which it will include with its 2Gb broadband packages.

Wi-Fi 7 is the the next generation of Wi-Fi technology, designed to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and better connectivity.

Eir has also announced that it will start offering broadband speeds of up to 5Gb in June. This will bring Eir's fibre offering into line with the blazing speeds soon to be on offer from Virgin Media in some areas. 

Alongside this, Eir has introduced an Android-powered TV Box, for €14.99 per month. The new box is designed to integrate live channels alongside streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

What is Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 is the latest generation of wireless networking technology, replacing Wi-Fi 6, which is the current standard. 

It promises to be one of the biggest upgrades to Wi-Fi technology in a long time, and while the technical reasons for the improvements are complex, the main benefits of the new technology are:

Faster speeds

Wi-Fi 7 promises speeds that are 2.4 times faster than Wi-Fi 6 and will ensure a stronger and more consistent signal in every room in your home, helping to eliminate 'dead zones'. 

It also allows households to fully benefit from the faster broadband speeds of up to 2Gb and 5Gb that are now on offer. This is an important consideration for people with, or thinking of signing up, to these deals, as in general older Wi-Fi technology won’t let you reach speeds of over 1Gb. 

Wi-Fi 7 also offers maximum theoretical speeds of up to 46Gb - completely future proofing you for any further broadband upgrades in the years ahead.

Greater bandwidth

Compared to the previous generation, Wi-Fi 7 offers double the bandwidth. 

This means you can effectively double the number of devices (up to around 200) that you can connect to Wi-Fi. 

And while this might seem unnecessary, as our home become increasingly 'smart', everything from our heating, lighting, electric vehicles and household appliances (as well as our phone, TVs and laptops) may need a connection. 

Multi-Link-Operation (MLO) & Mesh Networks

Previous generation routers tend to support up to three Wi-Fi bands, 2.4, 5 & 6GHz, but Wi-Fi ‘clients’ (aka the connecting device such as your smartphone, laptop etc.) connect to just one of these bands.

Wi-Fi 7 enabled routers allow you to connect across two bands to the same device - allowing you to avoid network traffic while keeping you connected if you move out of range of one band. 

This capability is known as Multi-Link-Operation (MLO).

For those with a mesh system at home, MLO will allow even more seamless connectivity across your household, meaning you can move around the home without losing connection.

You can find out more about mesh networks here.

As the first, and only, provider to bring Wi-Fi 7 to the country, we’re not just leading the way, we’re setting a new standard for home broadband. Wi-Fi 7 delivers lightning-fast speeds, seamless multi-device support, and rock-solid reliability across the entire home - this is Eir's longest range Wi-Fi yet. It’s a game-changer in wireless technology, offering twice the speed of Wi-Fi 6 with ultra-low latency and powerful tri-band technology, it delivers lightning-fast streaming, flawless gaming, and seamless remote working—all at the same time.

Susan Brady, Managing Director of Consumer and Small Business

Is this overkill?

For the average broadband customer, the benefits of Wi-Fi 7 might not be noticeable enough in everyday life to justify the added cost. 

However, if you are on, or are considering signing up for a 2Gb or 5Gb broadband plan, it makes sense to have the equipment installed to fully enjoy the speeds you are paying for.

Additionally, if you're someone who loves to play video games, stream movies and shows in 4K or 8K video quality on multiple devices, or requires a fast and watertight broadband connection for working from home, Wi-Fi 7 should make a noticeable difference. 

Another consideration is that Wi-Fi 7 is the new standard that future devices will be compatible with, so upgrading now will ensure your home setup is futureproof. 

How much will it cost?

Until 31st March, Eir is offering 2Gb broadband with W-Fi 7 for just €49.99 a month on a 24-month contract, or €59.99 a month for on a 12-month deal. It will then cost €89.99 a month thereafter.

The installation and activation fees are waived, and the Wi-Fi 7 box comes included. Additional extenders cost an extra €4.99 a month. 

And as an early adopter, you'll also be upgraded to Eir's 5Gb broadband for FREE when it becomes available around June. 

It's worth noting that you can get a Wi-Fi 7 router and a mesh system via a third party like TP Link or Netgear, but this could cost hundreds, if not thousands of euro. 

Therefore, the bundle on offer from Eir represents excellent value, and potentially broadens the appeal of Wi-Fi 7 technology beyond just the most intensive users. 

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