Netgear WBE718-111NAS

Product Overview

The NETGEAR WBE718 is a tri-band WiFi 7 access point sized for commercial AV and IT spaces that need next-generation wireless capacity without a 10G uplink. It runs 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz radios in a 2x2 design and delivers up to 9.4Gbps aggregate theoretical throughput over a single 2.5G/Multi-Gigabit PoE+ port. NETGEAR Insight cloud management handles remote provisioning and monitoring with no on-site WiFi controller. It is a strong fit for conference rooms, training rooms, and meeting spaces that mix laptops, mobile devices, and wireless presentation endpoints.

Product Description

The WBE718 brings the 802.11be WiFi 7 standard to commercial wireless deployments, adding the 6GHz band with 320MHz channelization alongside the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. WiFi 7 features including Multi-Link Operation, 4K QAM, and preamble puncturing increase throughput, reduce latency, and improve reliability when many devices share the airspace. With 2x2 radios on every band, bidirectional MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and BSS Coloring, the WBE718 keeps a dense room of clients connected without the slowdowns common to older access points. A single 2.5G/Multi-Gigabit PoE+ port supplies both power and the network uplink over one cable, which keeps ceiling-mount installations in conference and meeting rooms clean.

For AV integrators, the WBE718 supports a wireless presentation and BYOD strategy where dependable coverage and segmentation are required. Enterprise security including WPA3, WPA2/WPA3 Enterprise, eight SSIDs, and dynamic VLANs separates guest, corporate, and AV control traffic on the same hardware. NETGEAR Insight delivers single pane-of-glass remote monitoring, zero-touch provisioning, and scheduled firmware updates across sites, and the unit forms a wireless mesh backhaul with other Pro WiFi Insight access points where cabling is impractical. A four-year Insight subscription is included. Browse the full lineup in the NETGEAR collection at Creation Networks to pair the WBE718 with compatible Multi-Gigabit PoE switches.

Key Features

• WiFi 7 tri-band performance — 802.11be radios on 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz deliver up to 9.4Gbps aggregate theoretical throughput for high-density coverage.
• 320MHz channels in 6GHz — Ultra-wide channelization roughly doubles 5GHz-class throughput versus earlier WiFi 6 access points, reducing congestion in busy rooms.
• Multi-Link Operation — MLO aggregates channels across bands into a single connection for higher throughput, lower latency, and better reliability.
• 2.5G PoE+ uplink — A single 802.3at port delivers power and a 2.5G/Multi-Gig connection over one cable, compatible with 100M/1G/2.5G links.
• Insight cloud management — Remote provisioning, monitoring, and firmware scheduling with no on-site WiFi controller, plus a four-year Insight subscription included.
• Enterprise security — WPA3, WPA2/WPA3 Enterprise, 802.1x RADIUS, eight SSIDs, and dynamic VLANs segment guest, corporate, and AV traffic.
• Instant WiFi Mesh — Forms a wireless backhaul with other Pro WiFi Insight access points where structured cabling is not available.
• Ceiling or wall mount — Includes a wall/ceiling mount kit for clean installation in conference rooms, training rooms, and meeting spaces.

Typical Applications

• Conference room and huddle room wireless coverage for laptops, tablets, and wireless presentation systems
• Training rooms and commercial meeting spaces with high concurrent client counts
• Multi-purpose rooms and all-hands rooms requiring WiFi 7 capacity and segmentation
• House of worship and government spaces needing secure, reliable wireless coverage
• Boardrooms supporting BYOD connectivity for staff and visitors

Technical Specifications

Specifications sourced from the NETGEAR datasheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WBE718 compatible with existing WiFi 6 and WiFi 5 devices?
Yes. It is backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax clients, so current laptops, phones, and AV endpoints connect normally while WiFi 7 devices gain 6GHz performance.

How is the access point mounted?
It includes a wall/ceiling mount kit and is intended for indoor use. Ceiling-mounting is typical for even coverage across conference rooms and open meeting areas.

What does the WBE718 need for power and network connectivity?
It uses a single 2.5G/Multi-Gigabit PoE+ port (802.3af/at/bt) for both power and data over one cable. Pair it with a Multi-Gigabit PoE switch such as the NETGEAR MS510TXUP. A 12V DC power adapter is optional and not included.

Do I need a separate WiFi controller?
No. The WBE718 is managed through NETGEAR Insight cloud for remote provisioning, monitoring, and firmware scheduling with no dedicated controller hardware. A four-year Insight subscription is included.

How does it handle VLANs and guest access?
The unit supports up to eight SSIDs with VLAN and dynamic VLAN assignment, 802.1x RADIUS, and captive portal guest networks, so you can separate corporate, guest, and AV control traffic on one access point.

What warranty and support are included?
The WBE718 carries the NETGEAR Enterprise Limited Lifetime warranty on hardware, with optional Sprint and Overdrive support tiers for 24/5 or 24/7 technical support and advanced RMA replacement.

Can I scale across a larger deployment?
Yes. Multiple WBE718 units and other Pro WiFi Insight access points form a scalable, centrally managed system, and Instant WiFi Mesh provides a wireless backhaul where running cable is impractical.