Do you dream of using the Wi-Fi 7 chip of your latest iPhone 16 with a compatible box? Well know that Wi-Fi 8 is already being prepared. The one which is technically called the network IEEE 802.11bn Ultra High Reliabilityis currently being developed. For once, speed isn’t the goal here, but rather user experience.
WiFi 8
Development of Wi-Fi 8
Although Wi-Fi 7 has not been fully ratified (yes, it’s crazy), work on Wi-Fi 8 continues, with the technical capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 as its foundation, including PHY throughput maximum of 23 Gbit/s and the use of the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands with QAM 4096 modulation. But speed is not the objective of this new standard, which will not arrive for four years approximately.
Technical improvements
The development of Wi-Fi 8 includes several technical improvements aimed at improving the way devices interact with networks, as explained in the official document. One such feature is Coordinated Spatial Reuse (Co-SR), which improves communication between access points to efficiently manage transmission power, potentially increasing overall system throughput. Another is coordinated beamforming (Co-BF), which refines signal directionality to improve performance in mesh networks. Additionally, Dynamic Subchannel Operation (DSO) will enable more efficient data routing by taking into account the capabilities of connected devices, thereby optimizing flows.
Here are the key technical specifications:
- Bandwidth and Channels: Wi-Fi 8 will likely retain the capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 with a maximum PHY throughput of 23 Gbps, using the same frequency bands and 4096 QAM modulation.
- Effective throughput: The goal is to improve effective throughput rather than maximum throughput.
- Improved coordination:
- Coordinated Spatial Reuse (Co-SR): Improves how access points manage transmission power to avoid interference, potentially increasing system throughput by 15-25%.
- Coordinated Beamforming (Co-BF): Allows access points to focus signals more precisely, improving throughput in mesh networks by 20-50%.
- Dynamic Subchannel Operation (DSO): Optimizes data routing based on device capabilities, which can increase throughput by up to 80%.
- New MCS Rates: Introduces finer gradations for connection speeds to avoid drastic drops in performance, potentially improving transmission rates by 5-30%.
Focus on reliability
As you can see, instead of aiming for higher peak speeds, Wi-Fi 8 focuses on reliability and efficient throughput. This change is evident in the introduction of finer modulation and coding rates (MCS), allowing smoother transitions in connection speeds without a significant drop in performance. This approach aims to deliver a more consistent and reliable wireless experience, aligning with broader technology trends where efficiency and functionality are prioritized over raw power. Enough to avoid untimely disconnections and lags. Ideal for gamers, VR enthusiasts and more.
WiFi 8 launch date
Wi-Fi 8 is aiming for deployment around September 2028, which obviously leaves good years for the recent Wi-Fi 7. Most users are still on Wi-Fi 6, or even Wi-Fi 5, in particular because the Internet box from French operators often remains the same throughout the duration of the contract. To move up a gear, you have to look at the Bouygues, SFR, Orange or Free offers.
