Wow, TP-Link just dropped a press announcement about the WiFi 8 era. I can’t believe it’s already here!
TP-Link, a leading global provider of consumer and business networking products, announced it has successfully demonstrated Wi-Fi 8 connectivity, transmitting data with a prototype device developed through a joint industry partnership. This achievement represents a major step toward defining the next generation of wireless technology.
The test successfully validated both the Wi-Fi 8 beacon and data throughput, confirming the viability of the technology and marking a critical milestone in Wi-Fi 8 development. This technology is poised to deliver the ultra-reliable wireless performance that the industry will require as more devices and bandwidth-intensive applications come online.
Through ongoing collaboration with ecosystem partners, TP-Link is dedicated to advancing the technologies that will shape the next era of connectivity, offering users unprecedented speed, stability and reliability.
My knowledge is still WiFi 5. It is 802.11ac. So, let me go through the path of the WiFi.
| Feature | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) (Projected) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2014 | 2019 | 2021 | 2024 | ~2028 |
| Frequency Bands | 5 GHz only | 2.4 & 5 GHz | Adds 6 GHz | 2.4, 5, & 6 GHz | 2.4, 5, 6 GHz, + likely 60 GHz |
| Max Channel Width | 160 MHz | 160 MHz | 160 MHz | 320 MHz | > 320 MHz |
| Highest Modulation | 256-QAM | 1024-QAM | 1024-QAM | 4096-QAM | Higher-Order (e.g., 16K-QAM) |
| Key Technology | MU-MIMO (Downlink only) |
OFDMA Uplink/Downlink MU-MIMO |
OFDMA & MU-MIMO (on the 6 GHz band) |
Multi-Link Operation (MLO) Multi-RU Enhanced MU-MIMO |
Coordinated & Distributed MIMO Advanced Interference Management |
WiFi 8 (802.11bn) is the next-gen WiFi standard. It focused on steady connections, stronger coverage and smoother roaming. Yes, it is what I am expecting for now.
https://www.tp-link.com/ca/wifi8/
Get more information about WiFi 8 from TP-Link, the link above.
There are still no WiFi 8 products on the market. The WiFi 7 is the mainstream product in 2025. My existing network is using Deco X90. It is WiFi 6. I am considering upgrading my network. Let me see if I can do it in 2025.
