There are some complicated rules regarding 6GHz outdoor use in the UK and last month, I wrote a blog about the U7 Pro Outdoor launching in the UK without support for 6GHz. You see, this is because currently, certain regulatory bodies including Ofcom don't allow an outdoor rated device to be sold with a 6GHz radio installed, even if it is disabled via software.

If you want fast and reliable UniFi hosting, check out HostiFi with fast support, regular backups, managed updates and prices from just $9 per month.

To learn more about our hosting plans, create an account and get started today.

This created a few challenges for Ubiquiti, which they highlighted when speaking at UWC London a few months ago. The company could have launched the U7 Pro Outdoor without 6GHz, which would mean it could still support 2.4GHz and 5GHz with the various enhancements WiFi 7 brought to those bands, or remove its weatherproof rating. Ultimately, Ubiquiti decided on removing 6GHz, which means users can still use it outside.

E7 Audience

However, this also created an issue with the new E7 Audience, the direct successor the original WiFi BaseStation XG. That original AP utilised three 5GHz radios to cover a dense environment, such as a stadium or auditorium. With the E7 Audience we now have two 6GHz radios and one 5GHz radio - removing 6GHz support on this AP would restrict what it could do.

So instead, Ubiquiti decided to make two SKUs of the E7 Audience, one for the US market, which is IP68 rated and supports 6GHz and another for everywhere else. This worldwide model still supports 6GHz, but is now indoor rated only, meaning it now compiles with the regulatory rules.

This is denoted by the E7-Audience-US product ID in the US and simply E7-Audience everywhere else.

The new E7 Audience is now for sale in the UK for £1,908 and in the US for $1,999.

HostiFi

HostiFi provides hosting for both Ubiquiti and TP-Link software-defined-networking (SDN) applications, with servers for UniFi, UISP and Omada. We also offer network consulting, with HostiFi Professional Services.