Wi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6: why 6 GHz needs OFCA approval in Hong Kong
GNS Engineering Team 3 min read
Wi-Fi 7 is faster than Wi-Fi 6 mainly because it adds a new 6 GHz band, not because it pushes the same channels harder. In Hong Kong, 6 GHz is regulated by the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA): a device needs type approval (an HK certificate number) before it can legally use the band. That is the part many resellers still get wrong.
Where Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7 differ
- Wi-Fi 6 runs on 2.4 / 5 GHz, the licence-exempt bands, with no 6 GHz — and works normally in Hong Kong.
- Wi-Fi 6E / Wi-Fi 7 add 6 GHz (about 5925–7125 MHz). Channels are wider (up to 320 MHz on Wi-Fi 7) and less crowded, which is where the real speed jump comes from.
- So “Wi-Fi 7” does not always mean “6 GHz”: some models are dual-band (2.4 / 5 GHz only) and are not affected by the 6 GHz rule.
Why some models are not allowed in Hong Kong
6 GHz is not a free-for-all. OFCA only permits Low Power Indoor (LPI) use, and a device must carry OFCA type approval — an HK certificate number — before it may legally transmit on 6 GHz in Hong Kong. Without that number, the 6 GHz side must stay off. Parallel imports usually carry no HK certificate.
Ubiquiti models with OFCA approval
As of the OFCA directory snapshot, these Ubiquiti models carry HK certificate numbers:
| Model | OFCA certificate | 6 GHz band |
|---|---|---|
| U7 Pro | HK0022500010 / HK0022600087 | 5945–6425 MHz |
| U7 Pro Max | HK0022500005 | 5925–6425 MHz |
| U7 Pro Wall | HK0022500004 | 5925–6425 MHz |
| U7 Pro XG | HK0022500160 | 5945–6425 MHz |
| U7 Pro XG-B | HK0022500161 | 5945–6425 MHz |
| U7 Pro XGS | HK0022500162 | 5945–6425 MHz |
| U7 Pro XGS-B | HK0022500163 | 5945–6425 MHz |
| UDR7 | HK0022500155 | 5945–6425 MHz |
| UX7 | HK0022600016 | 5945–6425 MHz |
The consumer AmpliFi Alien Router (HK0012202783) and Alien MeshPoint (HK0012202784) are 2.4 / 5 GHz WLAN devices, so 6 GHz does not apply.
Watch-outs: 6 GHz models missing from the list
Against the same list, a few 6 GHz-capable models are not shown — for example the U7 Pro XG Wall, U7 Pro Outdoor and the Wi-Fi 6E U6 Enterprise. These are the easy ones to get wrong: with no HK certificate number shown, their 6 GHz should not be treated as usable in Hong Kong. Dual-band models such as U7 Lite, U6 Pro and U6+ run on 2.4 / 5 GHz and are unaffected.
How to check yourself
Search OFCA's list of approved radio equipment by model or HK certificate number, or simply ask the seller for the HK certificate number. Do not assume a product has 6 GHz just because its name says “Wi-Fi 7”.
How GNS handles it
Every 6 GHz model we sell is checked against the OFCA list so the HK certificate number is confirmed before it is sold as a 6 GHz unit; dual-band models are labelled 2.4 / 5 GHz, never blurred. To confirm a model before you buy, visit the shop or contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Wi-Fi 7 device use 6 GHz?
No. Some Wi-Fi 7 models are dual-band (2.4 / 5 GHz) with no 6 GHz radio, such as the U7 Lite; those are not affected by the 6 GHz rule.
What happens if a 6 GHz device has no OFCA approval?
Its 6 GHz side cannot legally be used in Hong Kong, so it effectively runs on 2.4 / 5 GHz only. Parallel imports usually carry no HK certificate number.
How do I check for an HK certificate?
Search OFCA's list of approved radio equipment by model or HK number, or simply ask the seller for the OFCA certificate number.
