Gemtek Presents Wi-Fi 8 Vision for AI-Driven Networks
At MWC 2026, Gemtek unveiled its strategy for next-generation broadband centered on the upcoming Wi-Fi 8 standard. The company is positioning the new standard as a foundational technology for creating intelligent, AI-driven, and service-oriented networks. This vision anticipates a future where connectivity is seamlessly integrated with artificial intelligence.
- The official standard for Wi-Fi 8 is IEEE 802.11bn, with a focus on "Ultra-High Reliability" (UHR) rather than solely increasing peak speed. Unlike previous generational leaps, its primary goal is to deliver more consistent throughput, predictable low latency, and fewer connection drops in congested, real-world environments. - The IEEE 802.11bn working group's specific performance targets include a 25% increase in throughput at a given signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio, a 25% reduction in latency, and a 25% decrease in packet loss compared to Wi-Fi 7. - The final standard is projected for approval around May 2028. However, some vendors began demonstrating pre-standard Wi-Fi 8 routers at CES 2026, with chipsets expected to be available during 2026 for device development. - For robotics and autonomous systems, the emphasis on reliability is critical for applications like industrial automation, where predictable, low-jitter performance is necessary for wireless control systems and collaborative robots. - A core technology enabling this reliability is enhanced Multi-Access Point (Multi-AP) coordination, which allows for centralized scheduling and more fluid handoffs. This is crucial for mobile robots and drones, ensuring seamless connectivity as they roam between different access point coverage areas. - The standard introduces new Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) values that provide more granular steps for adapting the data rate to changing signal conditions. This allows a connection to degrade more gracefully at the edge of coverage, preventing sudden performance cliffs. - AI-driven network management is key to leveraging Wi-Fi 8's capabilities by using predictive analytics to forecast network problems, automate the allocation of resources like bandwidth, and quickly diagnose faults to minimize service disruptions.
