Beijing, October 14: Even though Wi-Fi 7 — the current next-generation standard in wireless communication — has yet to be fully launched globally, technology companies have already begun preparing for its successor: Wi-Fi 8. In a recent announcement, networking hardware manufacturer TP-Link revealed a significant breakthrough, confirming that it has successfully tested the first prototype of Wi-Fi 8 hardware.
While TP-Link did not disclose detailed technical specifications of the prototype, the company said that the successful trial demonstrates the massive potential of Wi-Fi 8 (officially labeled IEEE 802.11bn) in shaping the future of wireless connectivity. The company added that the test was conducted in partnership with other leading technology firms, and that compatible devices are expected to be available even before the final certification of the new standard.
According to early industry estimates, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is expected to finalize the Wi-Fi 8 standard by 2028. The development marks a new phase in global wireless innovation — promising faster, more reliable, and more stable internet connections across multiple devices simultaneously.
Earlier this year, in July 2025, Qualcomm published a blog post outlining the core objectives of Wi-Fi 8. Unlike its predecessors that primarily focused on increasing raw bandwidth speed, Wi-Fi 8 aims to enhance connection stability, device reliability, and overall performance in real-world conditions.
Like Wi-Fi 7, the new standard will continue to operate across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands, but it is designed to provide speeds of up to 23 Gbps. However, its main focus is not just speed — it’s about maintaining strong connectivity even in challenging environments where signals are weak or interference is high.
TP-Link’s statement emphasized that Wi-Fi 8 will revolutionize everyday wireless experiences by enabling more devices to connect simultaneously without compromising performance. This is particularly significant for homes and businesses where smart devices, sensors, and high-demand gadgets are becoming increasingly common.
Experts say the introduction of Wi-Fi 8 will play a crucial role in the era of smart cities, advanced IoT (Internet of Things) systems, autonomous vehicles, and cloud gaming — all of which depend on fast, low-latency connections.
The upcoming Wi-Fi 8 technology promises to offer uninterrupted streaming, ultra-smooth gaming experiences, and enhanced data security, while minimizing the risk of network freezes or signal drops.
