Wi-Fi 8 is still years away, but members of the group that develops the Wi-Fi standards are already looking toward the future. Wi-Fi 8 is designed to provide more reliable connections, especially in crowded and high-traffic public environments. A Qualcomm blog post details several new technologies the company hopes will enhance Wi-Fi 8 connectivity in challenging scenarios.new standardDesigned to promote the development of artificial intelligence, industrial automation and advanced wearable devices.
Wi-Fi 8 (also known as 802.11bn) will maintain the same maximum bandwidth as Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) but promises reduced packet loss and latency spikes, especially in high-interference conditions. Qualcomm has outlined several new technologies that will set Wi-Fi 8 apart, delivering what it calls an "ultra-reliable" experience.
For example, the seamless roaming feature allows devices to maintain low-latency connections while moving between access points by using Single Mobility Domain (SMD). At the same time, physical layer enhancements will improve connection quality for devices operating at the edge of the access point range.
Wi-Fi 8 is also designed to enhance connectivity in crowded environments such as office buildings, apartment complexes, campuses and public areas. Multi-AP coordination enables multiple access points to communicate and share resources more efficiently.
In addition, Wi-Fi 8 will enhance connectivity between and within devices through coexistence optimization, improving performance when different components share antennas. This feature can improve the reliability of devices that need to share processing power, such as wearables. Improving energy efficiency to extend battery life is another key goal.
MediaTek’s white paper last year introduced more technologies of Wi-Fi 8. For example, thanks to Coordinated Spatial Reuse, nearby access points will be able to optimize power consumption and manage connections without interfering with distant devices.
At the same time, coordinated beamforming technology will enhance signal accuracy between devices in dense environments such as public spaces or buildings where large numbers of devices are connected. When multiple devices download the same file, Wi-Fi 8 automatically activates dynamic sub-channel operation to prioritize devices based on speed.
Qualcomm estimates that Wi-Fi 8 will improve throughput by 25% under non-ideal conditions, reduce packet loss by 25% when switching between access points, and reduce latency by 25% in situations that would typically cause latency spikes.
An early draft of 802.11bn was released late last year, and Qualcomm expects the 1.0 draft specification to be released later this month. However, Wi-Fi Alliance certification and final working group approval are not expected until 2028, meaning Wi-Fi 7 will remain the new standard for the foreseeable future.