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The Next Generation of Hospitality Wi-Fi: Introducing the HPE Networking 720H Series Hospitality Access Points

The hospitality industry is changing fast. Guest expectations are higher, device density continues to grow, and IoT‑based automation is becoming standard. As a result, reliable, high‑performance connectivity is no longer optional—it is a baseline requirement that directly affects both guest experience and day‑to‑day operations.

At the same time, connectivity at the edge is no longer limited to Wi‑Fi. Guest rooms and branch locations require Wi‑Fi, wired Ethernet, and IoT connectivity to coexist seamlessly. Treating these as separate infrastructure elements only adds cost and operational complexity.

To address this, we’re excited to introduce the HPE Networking 720H Series Hospitality Access Points—a new family of Wi‑Fi 7–based access points purpose‑built for hospitality environments. The 720H Series is designed as a single, converged edge platform, delivering wireless, wired, and IoT connectivity from one device. With multiple models spanning different performance levels and price points, customers can deploy the right access point for each location without adding additional edge hardware.

One Portfolio, Three Models, Clear Choices

The 720H Series offers three hospitality access point models, each designed for specific features, performance levels, and pricing. This tiered system covers a wide market while maintaining essential capabilities.                                                        

Wi‑Fi 7 Radio Design Optimized for Hospitality Density

The 720H Series access points are built on the 802.11be (Wi‑Fi 7) standard and are designed to fully utilize the 6 GHz band to deliver higher throughput and wider channels in dense hospitality environments.

Each platform uses 2x2 MIMO radio hardware, with multi‑radio architectures depending on the model. This enables support for wider channel bandwidths—up to 320 MHz in the 6 GHz band—and delivers a maximum aggregate data rate of up to 9.3 Gbps on the AP‑725H. The result is predictable performance even as client count and traffic demand increase.

At the same time, the 720H Series preserves full backward compatibility by operating across any two or all three bands. This allows operators to introduce Wi‑Fi 7 and 6 GHz capacity without disrupting existing client devices, while progressively shifting traffic to higher‑performance spectrum.

Power Sourcing and Deployment Flexibility at the Edge

Power availability at the edge is a critical design consideration in hospitality and distributed environments. In many deployments, the capabilities of the existing access switch—particularly PoE class and available power budget—directly influence which access point features can be enabled.

The 720H Series is intentionally designed with three hardware platforms, allowing customers to select the right access point based not only on performance requirements, but also on the PoE capabilities of the upstream network switch. This approach provides flexibility to align power, features, and cost without over‑provisioning infrastructure.

This tiered power architecture allows customers to:

·        Deploy Wi‑Fi 7 access points without immediately upgrading switches

·        Match access point capabilities to available PoE budgets

·        Scale features such as USB and PoE‑out only where required

·        Maintain a consistent hardware platform strategy across different sites

The table below summarizes how each 720H Series access point operates under different PoE power classes and the associated feature availability.

First Dual‑Platform

The AP‑723H reflects how HPE Aruba Networking and HPE Juniper Mist have come together as a single company, accelerating innovation with a strong focus on customer choice. Delivering a true dual‑platform access point in less than a year highlights the speed of integration and HPE’s commitment to prioritizing customer needs.

Customers can choose between two management personas:

• Aruba Persona, managed by HPE Aruba Central
• Mist Persona, managed by HPE Mist Cloud

There is no relearning required. Existing Aruba or Mist customers continue to operate the AP using the same tools, workflows, and user experience they already know.

Simple Persona Selection and Onboarding

The management persona is determined during initial boot, based on the customer’s chosen platform and ordering process:

• Aruba Central customers
• Purchase the AP‑723H hardware
• Purchase an Aruba Central license
• Onboard the AP through Central using the serial number and MAC address
• Mist Cloud customers
• Purchase the AP‑723H hardware
• Wi-Fi Assurance subscription
• Onboard directly into Mist Cloud using the claim code 

Operational Consistency with Platform Flexibility

Once onboarded, the access point behaves exactly like a native Aruba‑managed or Mist‑managed AP, with no operational differences.

If requirements change in the future, the device can be reset to factory state and re‑provisioned with a different management persona. This allows customers to switch management platforms over time without replacing hardware, preserving investment and simplifying long‑term planning.

Built‑In IoT for Smarter Hospitality Experiences

Hospitality networks must support far more than guest Wi‑Fi. IoT is now central to delivering personalized experiences and operational efficiency.

All 720H Series hospitality APs include dual IoT radios, which can be configured as:

• Bluetooth
• Zigbee
• Or both radios operating as Bluetooth

This native IoT capability enables integration with smart locks, lighting, thermostats, sensors, and asset‑tracking solutions—without the need for external IoT gateways. The result is simplified deployment and a more seamless guest experience.

Flexible Deployment: Wall Plate or Desktop

The 720H Series is designed to support multiple deployment models. Typical hospitality access points are traditionally deployed as in-room wall plate APs. The 720H Series is compatible with existing HPE Aruba Networking 600H metal wall box mounts, allowing for a seamless upgrade from previous hospitality AP models—such as the 600H Series—without requiring additional installation work. To upgrade, simply remove the previous AP from the 600H wall box mount and install the new 720H Series AP in its place, using the same mounting hardware. This process streamlines upgrades and minimises disruption for facilities upgrading from older generation hospitality APs.

In addition to wall-mounted installations, 720H Series hospitality APs can also be deployed on a desk or tabletop, making them ideal for:

• Dormitory rooms
• Small remote offices
• Back offices
• Non-traditional or temporary hospitality spaces

The dedicated desk stand ensures stable placement and security, making it particularly beneficial for temporary setups in dormitory rooms or small offices where wall mounting may not be feasible. This accessory enhances flexibility and usability in diverse hospitality environments.

To simplify this use case, HPE Networking is releasing a dedicated desk stand accessory, enabling easy and secure desktop deployment.

There are two desk mounts available for the 720H platform: the small desk mount is compatible with AP-721H, while the large desk mount can be used with AP-723H and AP-725H.

A Future‑Ready Hospitality Edge Platform

The HPE Networking 720H Series Hospitality Access Point family brings a modern approach to hospitality networking by consolidating Wi‑Fi 7, wired, and IoT connectivity into a single, purpose‑built edge platform. With clearly defined hardware tiers, flexible deployment options, and industry‑first dual‑platform management support with the AP‑723H, the 720H Series delivers choice without added complexity.

Whether upgrading premium guest rooms, standardizing mainstream properties, or extending connectivity to dorms and distributed offices, the 720H Series provides a scalable, future‑ready foundation designed for long‑term operational simplicity and a consistent connectivity experience.