Wi-Fi 8 is preparing a major architectural shift to support the next wave of AI-heavy devices — AR/VR wearables, smart sensors, robotics, real-time applications — but its most significant capabilities rely on wide, clean, interference-free 6 GHz channels. Multi-AP Coordination, uplink-centric enhancements like ELR and DRU, and cellular-style low-latency roaming all require multiple 160/320 MHz channels operating side-by-side. Without 6 GHz, these features simply can’t deliver what the standard promises.

That’s why early industry momentum matters. Broadcom and Rohde & Schwarz have begun testing next-generation Wi-Fi 8 chips, with Broadcom’s first silicon arriving ahead of schedule in October. This early validation work signals that vendors are moving aggressively to prepare devices, access points, and test frameworks long before formal certification.

But while ecosystem momentum accelerates, the global regulatory landscape is growing more contentious. And nowhere is that more clear right now than in India, where the government is weighing whether to reserve part of the 6 GHz band for mobile (IMT) rather than unlicensed use. Telcos Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea advocate for its allocation to mobile networks to enhance 5G and support future 6G, but U.S. tech companies are pushing back, warning that such a move could fracture device ecosystems, raise hardware costs, and cut India out of the global Wi-Fi 7/8 momentum.

Unlike the previous generation, the Wi-Fi 8 story really isn’t one about speed. Instead, it’s about reliability and efficiency, and for many, that means it’s a spectrum-policy story. And decisions made now will determine whether countries can unlock the performance and AI-era capabilities Wi-Fi 8 was built to deliver.

Enjoy the read and have a very happy Thanksgiving!