Wi-Fi 2026 Predictions: What To Expect In The Year Ahead (Analyst Angle)
RCR Wireless, Friday, December 19th, 2025
The intersection of AI and Wi-Fi will be the dominant theme in 2026 and beyond
As 2025 draws to a close, I had the opportunity to speak with three of the most influential voices shaping the future of Wi-Fi technology: Robert Stacey, Chair of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 Working Group; Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the WBA (Wireless Broadband Alliance); and Kevin Robinson, CEO at the Wi-Fi Alliance. Based on these conversations and my own take, here are my predictions for Wi-Fi in 2026.
The rise of AI-powered Wi-Fi
The intersection of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Wi-Fi will be the dominant theme in 2026 and beyond. Opportunities flow in both directions: Wi-Fi enabling AI applications, and AI making Wi-Fi networks smarter and more responsive.