Why Wi-Fi 8 Will Change How You Connect

The next generation of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 8 (or IEEE 802.11bn), is already under development, even though Wi-Fi 7 hasn’t been fully rolled out yet. Instead of focusing primarily on faster speeds, Wi-Fi 8 aims to enhance the overall user experience by prioritizing reliability and stable performance.

Shifting Focus to User Experience

While previous Wi-Fi iterations centered on increasing speed, Wi-Fi 8 shifts the focus to improving how users interact with their wireless networks. This means smoother connections, reduced interference, and greater stability, even with multiple devices connected.

China Leading the Charge

China, with its massive number of broadband users (over 650 million) and high demand for seamless connectivity, is playing a key role in driving the development of Wi-Fi 8. Many of these users rely on ultra-high-speed internet connections, making robust Wi-Fi performance critical.

Enhancing Efficiency and Stability

Wi-Fi 8 is expected to utilize the same frequency bands as Wi-Fi 7 (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), but its primary objective is to optimize how these bands are used. By improving coordination between multiple access points like routers, Wi-Fi 8 aims to create a more robust and efficient network. This means multiple devices can operate simultaneously without relying on a single router, minimizing signal degradation.

Key Features and Technologies

• Coordinated Spatial Reuse: This technology, introduced in Wi-Fi 6, enables access points to dynamically adjust power levels to reduce interference and optimize network performance.
• Coordinated Beamforming: Building on spatial reuse, this feature allows Wi-Fi signals to be directed more precisely to the devices that need them, improving both speed and reliability.
• Dynamic Sub-channel Operation: This intelligent bandwidth management system prioritizes faster devices, allowing for quicker downloads without impacting the performance of other devices on the network.

Improved Data Rate Control

Wi-Fi 8 will incorporate more refined data rate control, which will help maintain consistent speeds even when users are moving around, ensuring a smoother, more seamless online experience.

Timeline for Rollout

The development of a new Wi-Fi standard typically takes around six years. Early Wi-Fi 8 devices could be available in 2028, with formal certification following later that year.