54% of Broadband CPE Shipments in 2030 will be Wi-Fi 7-based
- 54% of global broadband CPE shipments in 2030 will support Wi-Fi 7, driven by strong end device uptake and consumer demand for next-generation connectivity.
- 27% of smartphones, 17% of laptops and 7% of tablets shipped in 2025 were Wi-Fi 7 enabled, showing a growing installed base of Wi-Fi 7 devices in the homes of consumers.
- As the technology matures in end devices, internet service providers will see strong value in upgrading their broadband CPE to Wi-Fi 7, enabling key services including cloud gaming, UHD video streaming and XR. Lower latency in Wi-Fi 7 networks will also greatly improve customer experiences with AI services.
Seoul, Beijing, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Fort Collins, Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, Taipei, Tokyo – March 9, 2026
Wi-Fi 7 is projected to account for 54% of global broadband CPE shipments through operator channels by 2030, becoming the dominant Wi-Fi standard, according to Counterpoint Research’s Wi-Fi Devices Service. Internet service providers are now judged on their ability to provide connectivity not just to the home, but to the end device, making Wi-Fi a key part of their offering. While Wi-Fi 6 is currently the dominant standard among service providers, uptake of Wi-Fi 7 is expected to ramp up rapidly as the importance of improved Wi-Fi experience grows due to emerging technologies, such as cloud gaming, UHD video streaming and XR. Beyond improved bandwidth, Wi-Fi 7 promises lower latency, greater reliability and better performance in dense network environments.
Discussing Wi-Fi 7 uptake in broadband CPE, Senior Analyst Taimur Zafar said, “The transition from Wi-Fi 6 to Wi-Fi 7 is expected to accelerate from 2026 onward as operators begin refreshing their installed base of gateways and introduce new premium broadband plans. While Wi-Fi 6 will remain widely deployed in the near term, Wi-Fi 7 is set to become the primary standard for high-performance home connectivity.”
Zafar added, “Deploying Wi-Fi 7 broadband CPE will allow operators to justify the capital expenditure on broadband access networks by enabling multi-gig broadband delivered wirelessly to the end device. As a result, service providers will be able to guarantee service to the end device, rather than just to the home, increasing customer stickiness and
strengthening the role of the operator.”
Wi-Fi 7 Share of Consumer Devices, 2025
Source: Counterpoint Research
Commenting on end device trends, Research Director Mohit Agrawal said, “The smartphone has the highest Wi-Fi 7 penetration across consumer devices, followed by laptops and tablets. These key consumer devices are adopting Wi-Fi 7 at a faster rate than broadband CPE as manufacturers look to showcase technical leadership in their premium products. Wi-Fi 7 SoC costs have also declined in recent years, resulting in a negligible incremental cost for upgrading.”
Agrawal continued, “Since Wi-Fi 7 gateways and routers are available on the market, premium consumer devices must support the latest standard, ensuring peak internet connectivity experiences for end users.”
About Counterpoint Research
Counterpoint Research is a global market research firm specializing in products across the technology ecosystem. We advise a diverse range of clients – from smartphone OEMs to chipmakers and channel players to Big Tech – through our offices located in the world's major innovation hubs, manufacturing clusters and commercial centers. Our analyst team, led by seasoned experts, engages with stakeholders across the enterprise – from the C-suite to professionals in strategy, analyst relations (AR), market intelligence (MI), business intelligence (BI), product and marketing – to deliver services spanning market data, industry thought leadership and consulting. Our core areas of coverage include AI, Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Displays, eSIM, IoT, Location Platforms, Macroeconomics, Manufacturing, Networks and Infrastructure, Semiconductors, Smartphones and Wearables. Visit our Insights page to explore our publicly available market data, insights and thought leadership, and to understand our focus, meet our analysts and start a conversation.
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Author
Taimur Zafar
Taimur specializes in Home and Residential Networks, Wi-Fi CPE, Broadband Infrastructure, IoT and Wi-Fi Module research. He focuses on uncovering trends and insights in these areas, using his industry experience and knowledge to provide value to clients. Prior to joining Counterpoint, Taimur led the Home Networks research at Omdia, where he developed his subject matter expertise. He holds a Master of Science in Bioinformatics from Queen Mary, University of London and is based out of London, UK.
Mohit Agrawal
Mohit is responsible for tracking Digital Transformation and Internet of Things (IoT) at Counterpoint Research. He has over two decades of rich industry experience having worked with large tech companies like Accenture, Airtel, Nokia, and Microsoft in the past. Before joining Counterpoint, Mohit was the co-founder & CEO of a start-up in the competitive and market intelligence space utilizing big data and AI. He is a keen follower of the developments in devices and key internet technologies like IoT, Blockchain, AI, etc. Mohit is an engineer, MBA and a certified project management professional. He is based out of The Hague in Netherlands.