SoftAtHome Expands Wi-Fi 7 Capabilities with Orange Deployments Across Europe

SoftAtHome Revolutionizes Wi-Fi 7 Implementation with Orange

In a landmark achievement for broadband technology in Europe, SoftAtHome has successfully launched the world's first Wi-Fi 7 repeater using a complete prpl software stack. This monumental step was announced on July 7, 2026, marking a significant milestone in making advanced Wi-Fi technology accessible to consumers in various European markets, including Poland and France.

What is prpl?

The prpl framework is an open-source initiative designed to provide a consistent, hardware-agnostic, and operator-controlled software framework for broadband devices. With SoftAtHome’s latest deployment, this technology is finally available at a commercial scale, allowing operators like Orange to enhance their service offerings and ensure seamless wireless experiences for their subscribers.

The journey began earlier, in March 2026, when Orange Poland launched the innovative Smartbox Wi-Fi 7. Following this, Orange France has also launched the prpl-based Wi-Fi 7 repeater with plans for additional deployments across various European markets.

Technical Breakthroughs and Interoperability

SoftAtHome’s prpl-based Wi-Fi 7 repeaters are gaining attention for their ability to support customized requirements in different markets without the need for separate software development for each country. This achievement demonstrates the versatility of prpl, as it successfully accommodates operator-specific services while maintaining a unified foundational layer.

Equipped with SoftAtHome's Wifi'ON Smart Wi-Fi software, the repeaters provide a standardized hardware abstraction layer. This technical detail enables the same software stack to operate across different generations of chipsets, highlighting the importance of interoperability within network environments. This adaptability allows the repeaters to work with existing gateway installations, further enhancing the operational efficiency of Orange’s infrastructure.

The integration of prplMesh with EasyMesh protocols opens up opportunities for improved mesh networking capabilities, ensuring that consumers are not locked into a particular vendor ecosystem. The technology's ability to mesh across Orange's various gateway environments is a crucial advantage, promising enhanced flexibility for subscribers.

Enhanced Performance and Sustainability

A notable feature of the new Wi-Fi 7 technology is its performance upgrades, which include significantly lower latency, Multi-Link Operation (MLO), and the ability to operate seamlessly under a single SSID for Wi-Fi 5, 6, and 7 devices. This improvement not only elevates user experience but also promotes a cohesive network structure throughout users’ homes.

In Poland, customers can deploy up to three Smartbox Wi-Fi 7 units per household, providing robust coverage even in multi-storey residences. Additionally, SoftAtHome's Eyes'ON analytics solution offers ongoing monitoring of Wi-Fi performance, thus empowering Orange with real-time insights and optimization potentials.

On the sustainability front, the new hardware design incorporates recycled plastics and facilitates repair and refurbishment, spotlighting SoftAtHome's commitment to environmentally friendly technology. The open nature of this software allows Orange to enhance the subscriber experience continuously through software updates rather than necessitating entire hardware replacements.

Quotes from Leadership

Reflecting on this accomplishment, Arnaud Bellivier de Prin, CEO of SoftAtHome, expressed, “After the initial worldwide deployment with Orange Jordan in 2025, we have reached a significant milestone in the prpl journey. Delivering the first commercial Wi-Fi 7 repeater built on a full prpl stack at Orange’s scale across multiple European markets shows that a cooperative approach can benefit both providers and subscribers.”

As this transformative technology continues to roll out, SoftAtHome reinforces its position as a leader in the broadband software domain, providing innovative solutions that meet the dynamic needs of modern users.

Conclusion

SoftAtHome’s collaboration with Orange in deploying prpl-based Wi-Fi 7 systems is paving the way for advanced broadband experiences across Europe. This venture not only enhances current wireless capabilities but also promotes an open, sustainable framework in the telecommunications landscape, setting a benchmark for future technological advancements in the industry.