SoftAtHome's Deployment of Wi-Fi 7 Marks a New Era in Broadband Connectivity Across Europe

SoftAtHome Makes Waves with Wi-Fi 7 Deployment Across Europe

In a significant advancement for broadband technology, SoftAtHome has successfully delivered the world's first commercial Wi-Fi 7 repeater based on a comprehensive prpl software stack. This innovative deployment has already gone live at Orange in Poland and France, with plans for expansion into several other European markets.

This commercial rollout represents a remarkable milestone for the prpl project, which is an open-source framework designed to offer operators a standardized software base for broadband devices that is both hardware-independent and easily controllable. For years, the promise of prpl remained unfulfilled, but with Wi-Fi 7 now serving as a catalyst for its implementation, subscribers can benefit from this breakthrough technology right within their homes.

Orange Poland was the first to introduce this pioneering device in March 2026, branding it as the Smartbox Wi-Fi 7. Following this, Orange France rolled out its own prpl-based Wi-Fi 7 repeater, with further markets set to follow. This innovative solution builds on previous prpl implementations at Orange, including a project in Jordan a year before, where SoftAtHome had already contributed prpl-based gateway software.

The prpl stack developed by SoftAtHome is engineered to cater to the unique requirements of different Orange markets without necessitating separate software solutions for each region. This capability showcases how an open platform can support operator-specific services while maintaining a unified foundation.

The repeaters employ SoftAtHome's Wifi'ON Smart Wi-Fi software, which is built on prpl. The prpl framework offers a standardized hardware abstraction layer that enables it to function across various generations of chipsets. SoftAtHome has been an integral player in the prpl initiative since its inception and has implemented prpl-based solutions with multiple network operators around the globe.

High interoperability, supported by prplMesh and EasyMesh standards, allows these repeaters to function seamlessly across Orange’s diverse gateway environments. This ensures subscribers are not confined to a particular vendor’s ecosystem. Furthermore, the software is compatible with Orange's current gateway installations, allowing them to remain operational while introducing cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 capabilities.

In regions where infrastructure permits, Wi-Fi 7 can extend its coverage throughout the home, with older gateways also experiencing benefits from this connectivity. SoftAtHome's Wifi'ON feature intelligently manages the mesh topology, automatically determining how repeaters connect – either to the gateway or to one another – to ensure optimal connectivity without requiring user configuration. For instance, in Poland, the Smartbox Wi-Fi 7 allows up to three units in a single household, providing extended coverage for larger or multi-level homes.

The integration of SoftAtHome's Eyes'ON analytics delivers continuous insights into Wi-Fi performance, further enhancing the user experience. Combined with Wifi'ON, this creates a powerful Wi-Fi software stack that optimizes and observes performance seamlessly.

The Wi-Fi 7 repeaters introduce numerous advantages, including reduced latency, Multi-Link Operation capabilities, and uninterrupted service under a unified SSID, accommodating Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 7 devices alike. Additionally, the hardware has been designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing recycled plastics and promoting ease of repair and refurbishment.

The software-centric platform enables Orange to continually enhance the user experience through updates, reducing the need for hardware overhauls. "Having completed our initial global deployment with Orange Jordan in 2025, we are thrilled to have reached this significant milestone in the prpl journey," stated Arnaud Bellivier de Prin, CEO of SoftAtHome. "Launching the world’s first Wi-Fi 7 repeater utilizing a full prpl stack includes scaling deployments across multiple European markets, demonstrating that operators can embrace an open platform while forging partnerships with new silicon developers, all while delivering the seamless experience their customers demand. We're excited to achieve this alongside Orange."

For more information or media inquiries, feel free to contact Marta Twardowska at SoftAtHome directly via email or Twitter to learn more about how these advancements can transform home connectivity for users across Europe.