New router launches: WiFi 7, 10 Gbps, 5G and travel routers

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The world of routers is undergoing a true silent revolution. Among New WiFi 7 router releases, more affordable WiFi 6 equipment, and 5G FWA solutionsOperators and manufacturers are moving very quickly to ensure our home and mobile connections take a significant leap in speed, coverage, and stability, and it's worth reviewing our router setup tips to take advantage of them.

In recent months we have seen how Movistar, Digi, Orange and brands like TP-Link or MitraStar They have put on the table new routers and WiFi Mesh systems that pave the way for what we will have in our homes and offices: fiber up to 10 Gbps, WiFi 7, 10 GbE, WiFi Mesh and portable travel routers with advanced features such as VPN or captive portal.

New 5G FWA routers and Movistar equipment upgrades are here

Telefónica has decided to thoroughly update its catalog of customer equipment. On the one hand, it has begun to roll out its New Smart WiFi 7 router for XGS-PON fiber connections up to 10 GbpsAnd on the other hand, it has launched a 5G FWA device designed for those who cannot subscribe to fiber optic internet but do have good mobile coverage; if you are a customer, you can find out how configure your Movistar router to take advantage of it.

This new 5G fixed radio access router corresponds to the model MitraStar IGW-1121GX2X2-Mv3This is a team that leaves behind the design style of Telefónica's previous era and opts for a more sober and discreet aesthetic, but one very focused on reducing costs and facilitating a massive deployment in areas without fiber.

The MitraStar 5G router maintains two Ethernet LAN ports, RJ11 connector for landline phone, SIM card slot and two connectors for external antennas, allowing for improved reception in challenging locations. However, the WiFi functionality has been reduced compared to the first 5G router that Movistar launched in 2024.

We are still dealing with a router with WiFi 6, but with simpler MIMO and fewer internal antennasThis results in somewhat more modest coverage within the home. To better understand the differences between standards, you can read the real advantages of WiFi 6In return, the device enables 160 MHz channels in the 5 GHz band, allowing you to maximize speed when conditions are right and the radio environment is not too congested.

The context for this launch is clear: Telefónica wants Extend 5G FWA access to more homes where fiber has not yet arrived.With nearly 9.000 5G nodes deployed in the n78 band, the operator can offer speeds of several hundred megabits and relatively low latencies, putting it in a good position to prevent users from looking to solutions like Starlink when seeking a fixed broadband alternative.

Smart WiFi 7 and Movistar's 10 Gbps XGS-PON fiber

At the same time, Movistar is finalizing the details of its new Smart WiFi 7 router, compatible with XGS-PONThis equipment will be the key to enabling our best fiber optic plans to reach commercial speeds of up to 10 Gbps symmetrical on the FTTH network that already covers more than 31 million homes; if you have any questions about access technologies, please consult our Complete guide to ADSL, fiber and telephony.

Telefónica's CTIO announced at MWC Barcelona that the network would be updated to XGS-PON technology to enable 10 Gb connectionsAnd that to take advantage of that capacity, a new HGU (Home Gateway Unit) with next-generation WiFi would be necessary, which is precisely this Smart WiFi 7.

Until now, the historic HGU with WiFi 5, launched in 2015, has remained very present, especially in Movistar's fiber-only tariffs and those of its second brand, O2However, its role is coming to an end. Smart WiFi 6, with several revisions since 2021, is taking over in the mid-range, while the new Smart WiFi 7 will be reserved for the more advanced models with higher speeds and better wireless performance.

The goal of this new generation is to offer better wireless coverage, more effective bandwidth and lower latencyThis is crucial for services such as online gaming, 4K and 8K streaming, intensive teleworking, or professional applications that require very stable connections.

Although all its final specifications have not yet been published, Movistar's Smart WiFi 7 will be aligned with the IEEE 802.11be standard, with capabilities of improved channel width, increased modulation, and multi-link operation to take advantage of the XGS-PON network that supports up to 10 Gbps.

Digi loosens its grip: WiFi 6 for almost everyone and WiFi 7 in its most powerful plans

While Movistar is preparing for WiFi 7 linked to XGS-PON fiber, Digi has been making moves to democratize its router with WiFi 6 among a greater number of fiber customersUntil recently, not all plans included this type of modern device.

Specifically, the 300 Mbps indirect fiber optic ratesBoth the fiber-only and converged plans did not include a WiFi 6 router. This was a particularly noticeable omission for those seeking a cheap but up-to-date offer, as the Smart Fiber option was out of reach for some users.

Within weeks, Digi has revised this policy and now All their fixed internet plans include the installation of a router with WiFi 6 technology.This change makes sense considering that the operator has recently added two new models with WiFi 6, giving it the capacity to cover its entire catalog, including indirect 300 Mbps fiber.

For those who were left out, the alternative until recently was to receive one of the routers with WiFi 5 that Digi continued to useAmong the models that the company randomly installed were devices such as the ZTE ZXHNH298A, the OBSERVA TRG24AC, the ZYXEL EMG5523-T50B or the ZTE-H298Q, all of them with more modest specifications and without the advantages of WiFi 6 in efficiency and capacity.

In parallel, Digi has been deploying routers with WiFi 7 on your 10 Gbps Digi Pro fiberInitially, it did so with the ZTE F8748 (and variants like F8748Q in some communications), a high-end device compatible with this new wireless standard, which was offered to the first customers of its 10 Gbps connection, although that promotion ended and subsequently it again prioritized WiFi 6 devices in most new subscriptions.

Digi's new WiFi 7 router: Goodbye ZTE, hello TP-Link XGB430v Pro

Digi's commitment to WiFi 7 hasn't stopped there. The Romanian operator has begun installing a New WiFi 7 router, the TP-Link XGB430v Pro, to users who subscribe to their more expensive fiber plans, presumably the new customers of their 10 Gbps Pro-Digi fiber.

Digi was the first operator in Spain to launch a WiFi 7 router in the hands of its customersThis is something they did at the beginning of last year to promote their 10 Gbps fiber optic service. Even then, they emphasized the advantages over WiFi 6: faster transfer speeds, lower latency, better coverage, greater capacity for multiple devices connected simultaneously, a better overall wireless experience, and more efficient energy consumption.

The new TP-Link XGB430v Pro maintains that philosophy, albeit with important nuances. It is a router. Dual-band WiFi 7 (2,4 and 5 GHz), without the third 6 GHz bandJust like the ZTE devices Digi used to use. However, it compensates for this absence with EasyMesh compatibility, which allows you to create a mesh WiFi network with other compatible devices to extend coverage.

In terms of wired connections, the equipment incorporates one XGS-PON port, one 10GbE WAN/LAN portIt features several gigabit LAN ports, two RJ11 ports for landline telephony, and a USB 3.0 port, making it a very complete router for advanced homes and small offices that want to take advantage of the 10 Gbps fiber optic connection.

In addition to its technical features, the TP-Link XGB430v Pro also pays attention to aesthetics, with a White design, casing made from 100% recyclable plastics, and wall mounting bracket, facilitating its integration into any living room or office without needing to hide it.

Orange and its WiFi 7 router: cutting-edge technology for homes and businesses

Orange, within the MásOrange group, has also fully entered the WiFi 7 race with the launch of its WiFi 7 router for direct fiber customers, especially linked to its Love and Home tariffs for individuals and businesses.

The company is positioning this launch as a revolution in wireless technology for the home and professional environment, in line with other previous pioneering moves such as the deployment of fiber up to 10 Gbps with XGSPON, the deployment of WiFi 6E and the active promotion of 5G Stand Alone (SA).

According to the group itself, the goal is to combine the large capacity of its fiber network, which already reaches some 30 million locationswith a WiFi 7 router that guarantees a top-level wireless experience, with greater speed, more multitasking capacity, and a more robust network; in addition, the aim is to improve the energy savings in networks through more efficient devices.

The company is positioning this launch as a revolution in wireless technology for the home and professional environment, in line with other previous pioneering moves such as the deployment of fiber up to 10 Gbps with XGSPON, the deployment of WiFi 6E and the active promotion of 5G Stand Alone (SA).

Orange itself highlights that the technical capabilities of WiFi 7 can make a difference in uses such as Competitive online video games, remote medicine, offices with many connected workstations4K and 8K streaming services, and any other scenario where response times, robustness and absence of interference are essential.

What does WiFi 7 really offer compared to WiFi 6 and WiFi 5?

The WiFi 7 standard, also known as IEEE 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT)It is designed to operate simultaneously on all three available bands: 2,4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz, making the most of the available spectrum and better managing congestion.

While WiFi 6 and its evolution WiFi 6E were created with the intention of efficiently support a very high number of connected devicesThe main goal of WiFi 7 is to provide a significant leap in speed for all devices, while maintaining or improving efficiency.

Among its technical advances, the following stand out: channel width up to 320 MHz, 4096-QAM (4K-QAM) modulationGreater flexibility in resource allocation (Multi-RU) and multi-link operation (MLO) result in speeds up to 4,8 times faster than WiFi 6 and approximately 13 times faster than WiFi 5 under ideal conditions.

Chipset manufacturers like MediaTek indicate that it is possible in highly congested environments Reduce latency by up to 80% thanks to the advantages of MLOThis technology allows the use of multiple bands simultaneously for the same data flow, choosing the most suitable links according to traffic priority, and even redundant packets to guarantee a more stable connection.

One specific use of MLO is the possibility of route less demanding traffic (email, background updates) through slower bands such as 2,4 GHzand reserve the fastest and widest bands (5 or 6 GHz) for flows that require higher priority, such as video conferencing, cloud gaming, or high-resolution streaming.

WiFi Mesh, 10 GbE and gaming routers: other key trends

Beyond the operators, the market for home and professional routers is full of manufacturers such as ASUS, FRITZ!, TP-Link, D-Link, Linksys or Netgearwhich compete with models for all budgets: from equipment costing around 30 euros to advanced solutions costing more than 300 euros, not counting the purely professional field.

Many of these manufacturers have excelled in specific categories, such as the ASUS ROG range, geared towards the gaming world with Routers that optimize latency, prioritize gaming traffic, and offer special features such as integration with low-latency VPNs or cloud services.

Modern routers can be classified according to their specialization: some prioritize the High-performance wired networks, others offer maximum speed via WiFiAlthough the stability of a wired Ethernet connection remains superior, the reality is that with technologies like WiFi 6 and WiFi 7, in many homes the experience between wired and WiFi has become almost indistinguishable in terms of speed and latency.

One of the great recent revolutions has been the popularization of WiFi Mesh networksThis approach involves having several nodes distributed throughout the home, each acting as an access point and extending coverage evenly. The result is that even large or poorly laid-out houses can be almost completely covered without dead zones.

The WiFi Alliance gave a key boost when it forced manufacturers to offer interoperable Mesh devicesThis allows combining nodes from different brands within the same system, something that was previously almost impossible without committing to a single closed ecosystem.

In parallel, wired connectivity is also undergoing its own evolution, moving from Gigabit Ethernet (1 GbE) networks to 10 GbE connectionsMajor PC motherboard manufacturers already include models with 10 GbE ports, and high-end routers are starting to incorporate both 10 GbE WAN and LAN to take full advantage of next-generation fiber connections.

To take advantage of that increased bandwidth, the router alone is not enough: it is necessary that the complete infrastructure supporting 10 GbEFrom the switch to the end devices and their storage units, this transition is a gradual but unstoppable process in advanced home environments and small businesses.

A special section is occupied by the gaming routersThese services incorporate specific technologies to reduce lag, prioritize game traffic, and, in many cases, offer subscriptions to gaming-focused VPNs that establish an optimized tunnel between the player and the servers. These features are usually linked to paid services once the promotional period ends.

WiFi Mesh systems with WiFi 7: the example of the TP-Link Deco BE3600

If you experience occasional outages, bottlenecks, or weak signal in certain rooms at home, one of the most interesting solutions is to opt for a WiFi Mesh system with WiFi 7 like the TP-Link Deco BE3600which is starting to appear on the market with attractive discounts.

This three-node Deco BE3600 pack offers Dual-band WiFi 7 connectivity, with combined speeds of up to 3,6 Gbps (approximately 2.892 Mbps on 5 GHz and 688 Mbps on 2,4 GHz). The idea is to cover good-sized homes while maintaining a single SSID, so the user can move around the house without worrying about which access point they are connected to.

Each Deco BE3600 unit includes two Gigabit Ethernet portsThis allows both connecting devices via cable and establishing a wired backhaul between nodes to free up internal traffic and make better use of the available WiFi band.

Among its advanced features is the ability to create a unified network with smart roamingAdvanced parental controls to manage screen time and content, and a real-time IoT security system to monitor threats and protect connected devices such as cameras, smart plugs, or speakers.

An important detail is that this system is Compatible with all generations of WiFi and any Internet providersince it can be connected behind the operator's router or configured as the main router, adapting to different scenarios without major complications.

Portable routers with WiFi 7: the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE for travel

The rise of remote work and frequent travel has led many users to consider carrying their own router in their backpack. TP-Link has capitalized on this trend by launching the TP-Link TL-WR3602BE, a portable router with WiFi 7 which directly targets the travel router segment.

Initially unveiled at CES 2025 and now available in some markets, this model stands out for being very compact (approximately 12 x 9 x 3,5 cm) and easy to transport, but at the same time capable of providing very competitive performance thanks to its support for WiFi 7.

In the 5 GHz band it can reach speeds of up to approximately 2882 Mbps and at 2,4 GHz close to 688 MbpsIn addition to supporting up to 90 devices connected simultaneously, it can easily meet the needs of a family, a work group, or even small events.

At the level of physical connectivity, it includes a 2,5 Gbps WAN port, one Gigabit Ethernet port and one USB 3.0 portThis allows you to connect some devices via cable, share storage, or use it for different advanced operating modes.

Feeding is done through a USB Type-C portThis allows it to be connected to both a standard power adapter and a power bank. This makes it possible to use it virtually anywhere, from a hotel room to a train or a temporary office.

Usage modes and advanced functions of the TL-WR3602BE portable router

One of the great attractions of the TL-WR3602BE is its enormous configuration flexibility. The device offers seven different operating modes: classic router, Hotspot (to share an existing connection), tethering via USB port, USB modem, access point (AP), network extender (repeater) and client.

This allows, for example, Create a private network in a hotel using the public WiFi connection.Connect a mobile phone via tethering to share its data connection or extend the signal of an existing wireless network in a holiday home or shared office.

A particularly useful feature is the captive portal managementThis allows the router to handle logging into public WiFi networks (such as those in hotels or airports) and share that connection with multiple devices without each one having to go through the authentication process.

Furthermore, the TL-WR3602BE can act as both VPN client as serverWith compatibility for protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, it's ideal for those who need encrypted and secure connections, and it can easily integrate providers like Surfshark or NordVPN.

Compared to other popular portable routers, such as GL.iNet models (for example, the Beryl AX GL-MT3000, highly regarded for being based on OpenWrt), TP-Link's device takes a generational leap by incorporating WiFi 7 and a 2,5 Gbps WAN port, positioning itself at the top of the market for users who need maximum speed and low latency, especially if they manage many devices.

Carrier-provided routers versus your own routers: what to consider

With so many router launches from operators and manufacturers, many users are wondering if it's worth sticking with the old one. router installed by your company or opt for your own equipment mid-range or high-end.

Operator routers usually have the advantage that They are integrated into the service, have direct technical support, and in many cases are automatically updated.Furthermore, they increasingly include advanced technologies such as WiFi 6, WiFi 7, support for 10 GbE and integrated Mesh functions.

On the other hand, routers from independent manufacturers allow customize the network much further, choose the WiFi standard and features that are better suited to the intended use, and generally offer more advanced configuration options, detailed QoS, VPN, granular parental control or integration with voice assistants.

In any case, with the arrival of WiFi 7, operators like Movistar, Digi, and Orange are narrowing the gap with specialized manufacturers, since They are starting to offer cutting-edge equipment at no extra cost in the most advanced plans.This means that more and more users are sticking with the official router for convenience and performance.

Everything points to a coexistence of comprehensive operator routers, manufacturer WiFi Mesh systems, portable routers for travel and specific gaming or professional solutions, resulting in a very varied ecosystem where each user can choose exactly the type of network they need.