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TP-Link Proves Wi‑Fi 8 Prototype as Broadcom Starts Sampling Next‑Gen Chips

Early hardware activity points to a shift toward ultra‑reliable Wi‑Fi well ahead of IEEE’s expected 2028 ratification.

Overview

  • TP-Link says a prototype built through a joint industry partnership validated the Wi‑Fi 8 beacon and data throughput in initial trials.
  • Broadcom disclosed it is sampling four Wi‑Fi 8 designs to partners—BCM6718 for residential access points, BCM43109 for handsets, and BCM43840/43820 for enterprise APs.
  • Broadcom’s chips include a hardware telemetry engine intended to feed AI models for optimizing performance, maintenance, and security.
  • Wi‑Fi 8 targets Ultra High Reliability with improved stability, lower latency, and better interference management across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz, with up to 320 MHz channels and a theoretical peak near 23 Gbps.
  • The IEEE projects final approval around late 2028, and industry reporting suggests consumer previews could arrive earlier, potentially as soon as 2026–2027.