The Wi-Fi 7 standard was announced three years ago. It’s hardly made an impact on our daily lives, but it’s expected to gain popularity in 2025. However, as is usually the case with Wi-Fi standards, it may already be outdated by then. The reason: Wi-Fi 8 is already in the works. Interestingly, it introduces a unique philosophy.
A new standard for wireless networks. Wi-Fi 8, officially known as IEEE 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability, is currently in development. The name itself suggests a shift in focus. MediaTek’s Filogic wireless division has shared some early details about the upcoming standard.
A table showcasing the characteristics of several Wi-Fi standards. | Image: MediaTek
Same speed, better reliability. As you can see in the table above, Wi-Fi 8’s bandwidth, frequency bands, and maximum PHY rate are expected to remain unchanged from Wi-Fi 7. However, there’ll be significant advancements in how devices (such as laptops and smartphones) connect to access points. The focus will be on mechanisms that can enhance the reliability of these connections.
Coordinated Spatial Reuse. MediaTek’s documents outline several techniques aimed at enhancing reliability in wireless communication. The first technique, Coordinated Spatial Reuse, was initially introduced in Wi-Fi 6 as Spatial Reuse. This advanced method enables access points to communicate with each other and coordinate the power of their transmissions.
The development of Wi-Fi 8 has just begun. A final specification isn’t expected until the end of 2028. | Image: MediaTek
Coordinated Beamforming. The second technique is designed to improve connections when two devices are in close proximity. With Coordinated Beamforming, access points can work together to determine which device requires a signal and which doesn’t. This coordination allows for the alignment of transmissions, ensuring that if a device isn’t actively communicating data, it won’t interfere with others.
Dynamic Sub-Channel Operation. The third technique enables future Wi-Fi 8 routers to identify whether a device can support higher speeds, such as those offered by additional antennas or increased capacity.
China as a driver for this shift. According to both the Wi-Fi Alliance and MediaTek, China is a main advocate for this shift in approach. The country has 650 million broadband users, and a quarter of them use 1 Gbps connections. As such, the average connection speed in China is 487.6 Mbps. However, the existing wireless connections aren’t yet fully capable of ensuring reliable and fast performance under these conditions.
A 2028 release. Wi-Fi standards typically take around six years to develop, and Wi-Fi 8 isn’t expected to be an exception. The final specification for Wi-Fi 8 is anticipated to be released in September 2028. However, it’s likely to be 2029 (or even later) before it becomes widely adopted. By that time, Wi-Fi 7 is expected to be significantly more prevalent, and discussions about the potential for Wi-Fi 9 may already be underway. In the end, this is how the tech world works.
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