Wi-Fi 7 emerges in France

Wi-Fi 7, the latest wireless standard, became available in France with the launch of the Freebox Ultra in early 2024. This marked the beginning of a new era in internet connectivity, with other major internet service providers (ISPs) adopting the technology in the following years.

Adoption by other ISPs

By early 2025, Bouygues Telecom and Orange had introduced their own Wi-Fi 7-enabled internet boxes. SFR followed in September 2025 with the SFR Box 10+, reserved for its premium internet package. As of October 2026, thirteen different internet packages across the four major ISPs in France included Wi-Fi 7 technology.

Technical features and limitations

The Freebox Ultra, the first Wi-Fi 7 box in France, offered quadruple-band connectivity, including the 6 GHz frequency, which is necessary for higher-speed channels. However, only five of the available packages used the 6 GHz band, with the rest limited to dual-band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4 and 5 GHz).

Freebox Ultra and its challenges

Despite its advanced features, the Freebox Ultra faced initial issues with instability, range, and speed. Free, the provider, did not include the MLO (Multi-Link Operation) feature in the initial version, which is essential for full Wi-Fi 7 performance. This was later corrected with an update more than a year after its launch.

Freebox Ultra Essentiel and Freebox Pop

The Freebox Ultra Essentiel was a similar package but without subscriptions to streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. The Freebox Pop, an older model launched in 2020, was upgraded to support Wi-Fi 7 in 2024. While it lacks the full 6 GHz band, it offers a good price-to-quality ratio for mid-range users.

Bouygues Telecom's response

Bouygues Telecom introduced the Bbox Ederson in 2025, offering tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with a symmetric speed of 8 Gb/s. It also launched the Bbox Polymèle, a dual-band version, and introduced a single-play package without TV or phone services, focusing solely on high-speed internet.

SFR's entry into Wi-Fi 7

SFR entered the Wi-Fi 7 market with the SFR Box 10+ in September 2025. This box includes a certified Wi-Fi 7 system with MLO and three frequency bands. It also features a Thread connectivity module for smart home devices, an E-Ink touchscreen, and accessibility features for visually impaired users.

Cost and package comparisons

The most affordable Wi-Fi 7 packages are the Freebox Pop S and B&YOU Pure Fibre, costing 24.99 euros per month. The B&YOU Pure Fibre Plus offers the 6 GHz band at 27.99 euros per month. Triple-play packages with TV and phone services are more expensive, with the Freebox Ultra Essentiel and Bbox ultym costing around 1,700 and 1,800 euros over three years, respectively.