Enhanced Wi-Fi 8 prioritizes reliability over speed, with its "Ultra High Reliability" feature improving performance, reducing latency, and minimizing packet loss in demanding conditions.
Get ready for a new era in wireless connectivity as the IEEE 802.11bn standard, known as Wi-Fi 8, is set to revolutionise the way we connect. Unlike its predecessors, Wi-Fi 8 is designed with a focus on enhancing reliability and reducing latency rather than solely increasing speed.
Key Enhancements
Wi-Fi 8 brings several key enhancements aimed at boosting reliability:
Ultra-High Reliability (UHR)
The UHR goals in Wi-Fi 8 aim to deliver a 25% increase in real-world data throughput specifically under challenging signal conditions. Devices operating at the edge of network coverage, or in areas with interference or weak signals, can still achieve significantly better performance compared to Wi-Fi 7 [1][3].
Latency Reduction
A target of up to a 25% reduction in worst-case latency (at the 95th percentile) is set to improve responsiveness for time-sensitive applications [1][3].
Packet Loss Reduction
Up to a 25% reduction in packet loss during roaming helps maintain stable connections [3][5].
Multi-Access Point Coordination (MAPC)
Features like Coordinated Beamforming (Co-BF) and Coordinated Spatial Reuse reduce interference by optimising how access points work together [4][5].
Coexistence Optimization
Enhances performance when different components share antennas, improving reliability for devices like wearables [5].
Expected Benefits
Wi-Fi 8 is expected to offer significant benefits in environments characterised by high interference or dense device usage, such as:
- Smart Factories: Improved reliability supports more stable and efficient operations.
- Hospitals: Reliable connections are crucial for medical equipment and networks.
- Airports and Stadiums: Enhanced performance in crowded areas helps maintain connectivity.
- Residential Buildings with Overlapping Signals: Reduced interference leads to better overall network performance [3][5].
Stay tuned for more updates on Wi-Fi 8 as the draft 1.0 status is expected any day now, defining its core features. The actual Wi-Fi Alliance certification for Wi-Fi 8 is planned for January 2028, enabling product interoperability testing and development. Final approval by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group is scheduled for March 2028, which is when the standard will be completed.
For the latest news, analysis, and reviews about Wi-Fi 8 and other technology-related topics, follow Tom's Hardware on Google News. The next-generation Wi-Fi 8 is designed to boost the reliability of wireless connections, making it particularly beneficial for applications that require reliable, low-latency connectivity, particularly in environments with congestion, interference, or mobility [2]. In enterprise and industrial settings, Wi-Fi 8 could support mission-critical systems like autonomous guided vehicles, collaborative robots, and factory automation. In public venues such as airports, malls, or stadiums, Wi-Fi 8 could improve workloads like AR navigation, live video sharing, real-time translation, and critical systems like surveillance and emergency communication.
Data-and-cloud-computing advancements will leverage the enhanced reliability offered by Wi-Fi 8 technology, ensuring smooth and efficient data transmission in environments with high interference or dense device usage. Time-sensitive applications in various industries, including smart factories, hospitals, airports, and stadiums, can greatly benefit from the reduced latency and improved connectivity provided by the next-generation Wi-Fi 8.
