TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES
According to the WBA Industry Report 2026, 62% of organizations are more confident investing in Wi-Fi, with strong momentum behind next-generation technologies.38% plan to deploy Wi-Fi 7 in 2025/2026, while 32% expect to adopt AI or cognitive networking.
Growth is also anticipated in Smart Home IoT (36%), AI (33%), and Industrial IoT (24%).
Building on 2025 findings, where over 41% targeted Wi-Fi 7 by year-end, the finalized IEEE 802.11be standard introduces 320 MHz channels, 4K QAM, and multi-link operation, leveraging 6 GHz availability across 50+ countries to support advanced applications such as XR and 4K video.
BUSINESS & MARKET BENEFITS
WBA’s Wi-Fi 7 program is designed to meet industry needs during standard ratification.
Wi-Fi 6/6E surpasses the combined capacity of all other Wi-Fi bands, offering connectivity speeds comparable to 5G. It addresses the demands of low-latency applications such as mobile gaming, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), and Industry 4.0 solutions.
With the introduction of Wi-Fi 7 certified devices, the 6 GHz spectrum band is anticipated to open in numerous countries, encouraging increased IoT adoption. This project aims to initiate and expand new trials, facilitating the global expansion of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E into diverse regions. The objective is to prepare for the Wi-Fi 7 era and ensure a seamless transition.
