Networking equipment manufacturer Adtran expanded its SDG 8700 Series gateway portfolio in a move to help service providers roll out Wi-Fi 7 capabilities across a wider range of residential and business customers.

The expansion introduces new 2.5 Gb/s and 10 Gb/s Wi-Fi 7 platforms. The update also transitions the next-generation wireless standard from a premium offering into a baseline feature for standard residential, small business, and multidwelling unit (MDU) deployments.

The launch comes at a critical time for internet service providers (ISPs), which face mounting competitive pressure to replace aging in-home hardware as subscribers' performance expectations rise.

“Service providers are telling us the decision to adopt Wi-Fi 7 has already been made. The real challenge is deploying it widely and consistently,” said Adtran CTO Christoph Glingener noted. “Competitive pressure is accelerating Wi-Fi 7 standardization and providers want to deliver high-quality experiences to their full subscriber base, not just premium tiers.”

Glingener noted that the expanded series is intended to provide a straightforward transition from legacy gateways to next-generation systems without forcing ISPs to overhaul their existing back-end operations.

Software consistency and integration

The expanded lineup features third-generation dual-band and tri-band Wi-Fi 7 gateways, which include options for 2.5-gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and 10 GbE connectivity alongside optional voice configurations.

The new hardware runs on Adtran’s unified SmartOS platform, which is designed to simplify testing, upgrading, and technical support for field technicians. The devices also include built-in support for management frameworks like Intellifi, TR-369, and Plume, allowing providers to maintain their preferred customer-management software.

The portfolio expansion follows recent regulatory momentum, including conditional approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for Adtran's SDG lineup, which clears the way for ongoing broadband rollouts.

Eric Presworsky, Adtran's GM of subscriber solutions, emphasized that the update is part of a broader strategy focused on open platforms and software continuity.

“There’s a growing need for Wi-Fi everywhere – whether in common areas of MDUs, outdoors by pools or garages, or for guests dining on the patio of a café," Presworsky noted. “Our Wi-Fi 7 portfolio, combined with Intellifi cloud management, empowers service providers to deliver high-performance, secure, and innovative Wi-Fi solutions across indoor and outdoor environments.”

Adtran a year ago expanded its Wi-Fi 7 portfolio with the SDG 9000 Series for residential, small business, and MDU connectivity. The system is managed through Adtran’s cloud-based Intellifi solution, which helps providers to scale quickly, optimize performance, and target revenue growth in small business and MDU environments.