Lumen is first in the industry to achieve a Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ device

Rhea-AI Summary

Lumen Technologies (LUMN) becomes the first company to achieve Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ device with its custom-developed solution, offering faster speeds and better coverage than Wi-Fi 6/6E. The company's Quantum Fiber Wi-Fi 7 solution includes two certified devices, W1700K and W1701K, designed for residential and small business customers. These devices provide higher data capacity, reliable and secure connectivity, and extended coverage, enabling speeds of up to 8 gigabits per second. Lumen's solution also incorporates advanced technologies such as MediaTek's Smart Link-Dispatch and cloud-based Digital Twin technology, along with support for OpenWRT standard with Wi-Fi EasyMesh™ and prplMesh for real-time orchestration and advanced device management capabilities.

Insights

Telecommunications Analyst

The certification of Lumen Technologies' Wi-Fi 7 devices represents a significant advancement in the telecommunications industry. Wi-Fi 7, the latest Wi-Fi standard, promises to deliver faster speeds, lower latency and better coverage than its predecessors. For Lumen, being the first to market with certified devices may provide a competitive edge, potentially increasing their market share in the residential and small business segments.

From a technical standpoint, the inclusion of MediaTek's Smart Link-Dispatch technology, which enhances Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE), is noteworthy. Such features are crucial for supporting high-bandwidth applications, like streaming and gaming, which are becoming increasingly popular. This could result in higher customer satisfaction and retention rates for Lumen.

The FCC 6GHz Standard Power class device designation allows for a greater range and throughput, which is essential for supporting the burgeoning Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem within homes and businesses. The ability to handle more data-intensive devices without compromising performance could see Lumen's solutions becoming a preferred choice for tech-savvy consumers and businesses looking to future-proof their connectivity infrastructure.

Market Research Analyst

As the first company to receive Wi-Fi 7 certification for its devices, Lumen Technologies may experience an uptick in brand recognition and perceived innovation leadership. This can translate into increased demand for their Quantum Fiber service, particularly among early adopters and those with high connectivity needs. The market for advanced Wi-Fi technology is growing, as remote work, online education and digital entertainment require robust home and small business networks.

Moreover, the integration of cloud-based Digital Twin technology and advanced device management capabilities aligns with the trend towards smart homes and businesses. These features could allow Lumen to tap into the analytics and service personalization market, potentially opening up new revenue streams through value-added services.

However, the actual impact on Lumen's financial performance will depend on the adoption rate of Wi-Fi 7 and the company's ability to capitalize on this technological lead before competitors catch up. Market penetration will be critical to watch, as will the response from other industry players who will inevitably release their own Wi-Fi 7 devices.

Financial Analyst

Lumen Technologies' strategic move to introduce Wi-Fi 7 certified devices could have a positive impact on its financials if the new technology drives customer growth and reduces churn. The investment in next-generation technology suggests that Lumen is positioning itself for growth, which may be well-received by investors. The ability to offer up to 8 gigabits per second speeds could justify premium pricing for their Quantum Fiber product, potentially increasing average revenue per user (ARPU).

However, the costs associated with the development and deployment of these new devices, as well as the marketing expenses to promote them, will need to be weighed against the expected revenue increase. The long-term financial implications will also depend on how quickly consumers and businesses adopt Wi-Fi 7 technology and whether it leads to a significant reduction in customer acquisition and maintenance costs.

Investors should monitor Lumen's quarterly financial reports for indications of the success of this initiative, including customer growth rates, ARPU changes and any shifts in capital expenditures related to the deployment of Wi-Fi 7 technology.

Custom-developed device provides Quantum Fiber customers with next-gen Wi-Fi® experience

DENVER, Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the start of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, the Wi-Fi Alliance® announced Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) has received Wi-Fi 7 certifications for two wireless devices. Lumen is the first company in the industry to achieve a Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ device with its custom-developed solution. Lumen designed its devices for its Quantum Fiber residential and small business customers to deliver faster speeds and better coverage than Wi-Fi 6/6E.

"We are proud that our Wi-Fi 7 devices are the first certified by Wi-Fi Alliance," said Maxine Moreau, Lumen president of Mass Markets. "This demonstrates our commitment to deliver the best Wi-Fi solutions to our customers as we continue to innovate for growth. Our Wi-Fi 7 devices offer faster speeds than Wi-Fi 6/6E, low latency, and amazing coverage allowing users to enjoy the next generation of Wi-Fi applications and services."

Wi-Fi Alliance certified two Lumen Wi-Fi 7 devices:

• The W1700K is a desk or wall mount device that covers 90% of homes with higher data capacity than Wi-Fi 6/6E. It provides reliable and secure Wi-Fi 7 connectivity throughout the home or office.
  
  
• The W1701K is a fully compliant wall plug-in device that extends the Wi-Fi 7 coverage throughout larger areas of the home or business to reduce dead zones.

Lumen's solution includes MediaTek's Smart Link-Dispatch technology, an advanced QOS/QOE feature built into the Wi-Fi radio, enhancing application performance with high-bandwidth and low-latency traffic in real-world settings.

Lumen's Quantum Fiber Wi-Fi 7 solution is an FCC 6GHz Standard Power (6SD) class device. The 6SD equipment class enables higher transmit power for increased data throughput or twice the range as compared to the theoretical indoor standard (6ID). With the 6GHz channel and the higher power setting, these devices wirelessly unlock the full power of the Quantum Fiber high speed product up to 8 gigabits per second, helping to enable higher data rates throughout a home or business.

Both devices also support cloud-based Digital Twin technology and use the carrier grade OpenWRT standard with Wi-Fi EasyMesh™  and prplMesh enabling real time orchestration and advanced device management capabilities. 

Quantum Fiber installed its first customer Wi-Fi 7 device in December. Wi-Fi 7 will be available to new Quantum Fiber customers later this month. Quantum Fiber is available to homes and small businesses in parts of 16 states.

Lumen will showcase its new wireless technology at CES in the Smart Home section #35-209.

For more information about Quantum Fiber and Wi-Fi 7 go to www.quantumfiber.com/wifi7.

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7^TM is a trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance®. Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance®.

Additional Information:

The benefits of Quantum Fiber's unique Wi-Fi 7 capable devices:

• Superior Coverage: One device covers up to 90% of a home based on square footprint, significantly reducing the need for additional nodes.
• Multi-User Capability: Supports multiple users and gigabit bandwidth demands with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz radios working together for high-speed data transmission, minimizing the need to run ethernet cable throughout home.
• Latency and Speed: A significant improvement from Wi-Fi 6/6E technology, offering less than 3 milliseconds of latency and seamless integration with Quantum Fiber's multi-gig network with symmetrical speeds up to 8 Gbps.
• Customer Experience: This Wi-Fi 7 device is part of Quantum Fiber's 360 Wi-Fi capabilities and is fully integrated and controlled through the Quantum Fiber app. The app will unlock advanced parental controls, Wi-Fi performance diagnostics, and includes a first-rate security suite.
• High-Performance Applications: Ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications like 8K video streaming, cloud gaming, virtual reality, and large multimedia file transfers.
• Advanced Technology: Contains a built-in GPS chip, enhancing 6GHz range performance in line with upcoming FCC specifications.
• Cloud Based Digital Twin enabled: Built on carrier grade Open WRT standard with EasyMesh & prplMesh with real time orchestration and advanced level of device management.

Previous Announcements: 

• Lumen introduces a custom-built Wi-Fi 7 capable device for Quantum Fiber customers - Dec 29, 2023
• Lumen Technologies' Quantum Fiber brand to deliver a disruptive and groundbreaking Wi-Fi 7 device - Oct 17, 2023

About Lumen Technologies:
Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data, and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Everything we do at Lumen takes advantage of our network strength. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to our edge cloud, security, and managed service capabilities, we meet our customers' needs today and as they build for tomorrow. For news and insights visit news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies, and YouTube: /lumentechnologies. 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lumen-is-first-in-the-industry-to-achieve-a-wi-fi-certified-7-device-302028268.html

SOURCE Lumen Technologies

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for Lumen Technologies?

The ticker symbol for Lumen Technologies is LUMN.

What is the significance of Lumen Technologies' achievement in Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ device?

Lumen Technologies becomes the first company in the industry to achieve a Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ device with its custom-developed solution, offering faster speeds and better coverage than Wi-Fi 6/6E.

What are the names of the two certified Wi-Fi 7 devices developed by Lumen Technologies?

The two certified Wi-Fi 7 devices developed by Lumen Technologies are W1700K and W1701K.

What are the key features of the W1700K device?

The W1700K device is a desk or wall mount device that covers 90% of homes with higher data capacity than Wi-Fi 6/6E, providing reliable and secure Wi-Fi 7 connectivity throughout the home or office.

What are the key features of the W1701K device?

The W1701K device is a fully compliant wall plug-in device that extends the Wi-Fi 7 coverage throughout larger areas of the home or business to reduce dead zones.

What technologies are incorporated into Lumen Technologies' Quantum Fiber Wi-Fi 7 solution?

Lumen Technologies' Quantum Fiber Wi-Fi 7 solution incorporates advanced technologies such as MediaTek's Smart Link-Dispatch, cloud-based Digital Twin technology, and support for OpenWRT standard with Wi-Fi EasyMesh™ and prplMesh for real-time orchestration and advanced device management capabilities.

When will Wi-Fi 7 be available to new Quantum Fiber customers?

Wi-Fi 7 will be available to new Quantum Fiber customers later this month.

In how many states is Quantum Fiber available to homes and small businesses?

Quantum Fiber is available to homes and small businesses in parts of 16 states.