- Next-gen Wi-Fi 8 prioritizes predictability and reliability over raw speed
- Broadcom has announced Wi-Fi 8 chips for home, business and edge use
- The chipmaker is also opening up its Wi-Fi 8 platform to drive AI adoption at the edge
Broadcom has unveiled a new family of Wi-Fi 8 chips that it says will underpin the next generation of smart wireless connectivity.
The chipmaker is building an ecosystem that supports AI-powered devices at the edge of the network, spanning everything from residential gateways to enterprise access points and connected vehicles.
As we wrote previously, Wi-Fi 8 represents a new direction for wireless technology, because while previous standards pursued ever-faster top speeds, Wi-Fi 8 is more about reliability, latency, and the ability to maintain performance even when faced with high demands.
Modern networks are no longer just about data downloads, but handle a combination of voice, video, sensor data and machine learning workloads that must travel both ways and with minimal delay.
Broadcom’s new Wi-Fi 8 chips (BCM6718 for home networks, BCM43840 and BCM43820 for enterprise use, and BCM43109 for edge wireless clients like smartphones, laptops, and cars) are based on a telemetry engine that constantly measures network behavior.
This engine will make Wi-Fi more responsive, helping networks adapt in real time as devices move or signal conditions change.
Mark Gonikberg, senior vice president and general manager of Broadcom’s Wireless Communications and Connectivity Division, said: “Wi-Fi 8 represents a fundamental shift in the way we approach wireless broadband. The transition to the ‘age of AI’ demands networks that are fast, intelligent, adaptable and deeply reliable. Broadcom’s Wi-Fi 8 products are meticulously designed to provide AI technology, high performance and low latency, and predictability that the cutting edge of modern AI demands.”
The company seeks to make its offerings even more attractive to members.
“We are taking this to the next level by offering our industry-best Wi-Fi 8 solutions to the broader industry through flexible licensing options to accelerate the proliferation of Edge AI,” said Gonikberg.
By licensing its intellectual property, Broadcom seeks to drive an open AI-enabled platform that will scale faster thanks to a broader base of compatible devices.
As Kevin Robinson, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, says, “Wi-Fi 8 will usher in the next era of high-performance connectivity, enabling more advanced applications, immersive experiences, and ultra-reliable multi-gigabit connectivity for users around the world. Broadcom’s early innovation helps accelerate the ecosystem and ensures Wi-Fi remains a strong, reliable foundation for connectivity.”
Broadcom’s Wi-Fi 8 chips are currently being tested with select partners.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp also.
