RUCKUS and Nokia launches Wi-Fi 7 optical LAN trial
RUCKUS Networks and Nokia have opened an early-access programme for a combined Wi-Fi 7 and fibre optical LAN offering, bringing their networking systems together on a single platform.
The offer combines RUCKUS Wi-Fi 7 access points and its RUCKUS One cloud management platform with Nokia's Aurelis Optical LAN system. It is managed end to end through RUCKUS One and is aimed at in-building and campus connectivity.
The launch comes as businesses face rising demand for bandwidth, lower latency and support for denser device environments across offices, campuses and other enterprise sites. It is also aimed at telecoms operators, cable operators, managed service providers and LAN providers that supply connectivity to business customers.
Trials are under way with Tier-1 providers in North America and Asia, according to the companies. They say those tests have shown performance gains and operational benefits from combining fibre-based local area networking with Wi-Fi 7 wireless access.
Nokia says its fibre-based LAN hardware uses less space and power than traditional LAN systems, with energy consumption reduced by up to 40% and total cost of ownership by up to 50%.
The architecture centres on Nokia's Aurelis MF-2 optical switch and modems, paired with RUCKUS wireless equipment and cloud software. Open APIs allow Nokia's fibre system to integrate with RUCKUS One, which handles network assurance and business intelligence functions.
The companies are pitching the system as a simpler alternative to conventional in-building network designs, which often rely on multiple layers of copper cabling, switching and separate management tools. By extending fibre deeper into the building and using wireless access at the edge, the partners aim to reduce operational complexity and physical footprint.
Partner strategy
The announcement also reflects a broader push by telecoms and enterprise networking suppliers to combine wired and wireless infrastructure into more unified managed platforms. That trend has gathered pace as customers look to support artificial intelligence workloads, real-time applications and growing numbers of connected devices in offices, hospitals, hotels, factories and education sites.
Nokia has been expanding its optical LAN position in enterprise settings, where fibre is promoted as a longer-life alternative to copper-based internal networks. RUCKUS, which focuses on enterprise wireless and cloud-managed networking, adds the Wi-Fi layer and software management environment to the joint offer.
For service providers, the combined product could offer a packaged option for managed connectivity services inside commercial buildings and campuses. For enterprises, it is being presented as a way to modernise internal networks without managing separate fibre and wireless systems through disconnected tools.
"The way enterprises connect is changing, and fiber is at the heart of that shift," said Sandy Motley, President of Fixed Networks at Nokia. "Deepening our partnership with RUCKUS Networks reflects a shared belief that businesses deserve connectivity that's reliable, future-ready, and built around their needs, not just for today, but for what comes next."
The partnership builds on an installed base spanning more than 1,000 enterprises globally, suggesting the latest release extends an existing commercial relationship rather than marking a first-time tie-up.
Early-access programmes are commonly used by networking suppliers to test operational deployment with selected customers before broader availability. In this case, the process is being used to validate how the integrated system performs in live enterprise and service-provider environments.
Market focus
The target sectors are broad. Enterprises in hospitality, healthcare, education, residential developments, manufacturing and office campuses are among the organisations that could use fibre-based internal networks paired with high-capacity wireless coverage.
The use of Wi-Fi 7 is notable because it marks a move to the latest generation of wireless LAN technology, designed for higher throughput and more efficient handling of dense traffic environments. Combined with optical LAN, the setup is being positioned for sites that need to expand network capacity while managing energy and space constraints.
"Nokia leads in fiber-based Optical LAN, and RUCKUS has the most complete and proven wireless solutions for enterprise," said Bart Giordano, SVP and President, RUCKUS Networks. "Together, our technologies are already deployed by more than a thousand enterprises globally, and we're making it easier than ever for customers to quickly transform and effectively scale and manage their networks for the long run."