Wi-Fi 7's WPA3 protections come with a compatibility catch

CableLabs, a broadband research organization, has issued a warning about potential compatibility issues with Wi-Fi 7 access points that aim to support older devices. Wi-Fi 7 products have been available for a few years, with the Wi-Fi Alliance launching its certification program for Wi-Fi 7 in early 2024. The Wi-Fi Alliance has made WPA3 the mandatory security standard for the 6 GHz band, which is used by Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

WPA3 is not entirely new, as it was supported by Wi-Fi 6. Access points operating on older frequency bands can use a transition mode to support WPA2 devices. However, CableLabs has found that many older devices based on Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 4 hardware can create compatibility problems when trying to connect to Wi-Fi 7 access points.

While WPA3-Personal Transition Mode allows access points to offer both WPA2 and WPA3 authentication, some legacy devices may not handle this correctly and fail to connect. To address this, CableLabs suggests that hardware makers prioritize support for a new mechanism called WPA3-Personal Compatibility Mode (PCM). PCM moves WPA3 and Wi-Fi 7-specific security information into Robust Security Network Override (RSNO) elements, allowing access points to advertise WPA2-Personal through the legacy RSN element.

However, not all devices support RSNO, and those that don't will be limited to Wi-Fi 6 operation using WPA2-Personal. CableLabs is urging hardware makers, particularly those producing low-cost and smart home devices, to test their products against the latest Wi-Fi access points.