Unveiled: Preliminary Information on Wi-Fi 8 Revealed, Surprisingly with a Lower Speed Than Expected
Wi-Fi 8, the next generation of wireless technology, is in the works, with leading technology companies like Qualcomm actively contributing to its development. The 802.11bn task group, known as 'Ultra High Reliability' (UHR), is spearheading the project [1][3][4].
The focus of Wi-Fi 8 is on enhancing connectivity in congested, interference-prone, and mobile environments [1]. It aims to deliver stronger, more reliable wireless connections with lower latency and fewer dropped packets, particularly in challenging environments and while roaming [1][3][4].
Three key benefits of Wi-Fi 8 have been highlighted: at least 25% higher throughput in challenging signal conditions, 25% lower latency at the 95th percentile of the latency distribution, and 25% fewer dropped packets, especially during roaming between access points [2].
Specific features include "Seamless Roaming" for continuous low-latency connections without interruptions during device movement, enabling a "once connected, always connected" experience [2]. Wi-Fi 8 also features multi-access point coordination to enhance performance in dense environments like corporate campuses and apartment buildings by intelligently sharing airtime and avoiding signal overlap [2][4]. Furthermore, it includes physical layer enhancements aimed at maintaining reliable connections at the edge of signal coverage where interference or weak signals are common [2][3][4]. On-device coexistence improvements help devices manage multiple radios (e.g., Bluetooth, ultra-wideband) sharing antennas or spectrum to ensure smoother operation [2][4].
While Wi-Fi 8 maintains a peak physical layer rate similar to Wi-Fi 7, up to 23 Gbps, its emphasis is on ultrahigh reliability (UHR) in real-world conditions rather than headline speed gains [3]. This makes it especially beneficial for time-sensitive and mission-critical applications such as augmented reality, industrial automation, and AI systems requiring fast, predictable communication [3].
The Wi-Fi 8 standard (IEEE 802.11bn) is expected to be finalized by March 2028, according to the IEEE 802.11 Working Group and Qualcomm [1][3][4]. Qualcomm predicts that Wi-Fi 8 will be available in 2028 [1].
In summary, Wi-Fi 8 is designed to deliver stronger, more reliable wireless connections with lower latency and fewer dropped packets, particularly in challenging environments and while roaming, with availability anticipated around 2028 [1][3][4]. The new standard prioritizes reliable performance in challenging real-world conditions rather than increasing speed, which could benefit gamers and other users seeking smoother, more reliable connections.
Gadgets equipped with Wi-Fi 8 technology will experience more stable and dependable wireless connections, thanks to its lower latency and fewer dropped packets, particularly during roaming or in challenging environments. This new generation of wireless technology is expected to be a valuable asset for devices that demand fast, predictable communication, such as augmented reality, industrial automation, and AI systems.
