Gemtek Unveils Wi-Fi 8 Vision at MWC
At Mobile World Congress 2026, technology company Gemtek unveiled its next-generation broadband strategy centered on Wi-Fi 8. The company is positioning the new standard as a foundational technology for AI-driven, service-oriented networks. The announcement signals a push toward more intelligent and responsive wireless connectivity.
- The forthcoming Wi-Fi 8 standard, officially designated IEEE 802.11bn, represents a strategic shift from prioritizing peak data rates to focusing on "Ultra High Reliability" (UHR) for more consistent performance in congested environments. - The IEEE 802.11bn standard aims for a 25% increase in throughput at a given signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio, a 25% reduction in latency for the 95th percentile, and a 25% decrease in packet loss compared to Wi-Fi 7. - Key technologies enabling this enhanced reliability include multi-access point (AP) coordination, which allows multiple hotspots to work together to optimize signals and reduce interference, and features designed to provide seamless roaming between networks. - Gemtek's strategy involves integrating Wi-Fi 8 with Edge AI and an AI Open Standard Module (OSM) platform, embedding AI compute capabilities directly into customer equipment to enable low-latency, on-device AI services with enhanced data privacy. - The company also introduced a "Wi-Fi over mmWave Technology" (WoMT) solution that extends Wi-Fi 7 baseband technology into the 5G FR2 spectrum, aiming to provide multi-gigabit Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and a cost-effective option for cellular tower backhaul. - While the IEEE 802.11bn standard is projected to be finalized around 2028, the industry is moving faster; Broadcom began sampling a full ecosystem of Wi-Fi 8 products in October 2025, with the first consumer devices expected as early as summer 2026. - The standard's focus on deterministic low latency and reliability is critical for enabling real-time, mission-
