More than 20 years ago, Wi-Fi 1 began its mainstream march when IEEE released the 802.11 standard, which offered data transfer speeds of up to 1 megabit per second (Mpbs). With the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard 802.11be, we’re up to peak speeds of 40 gigabits per second (Gbps)—and a shift in focus to ultra-reliable, secure and efficient communications in densely trafficked network environments.

Wi-Fi 7 was ratified in 2024 and Wi-Fi 8 (IEEE 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability) is under development and expected to be finalized in 2028. The latest Wi-Fi signaling means significant improvements in delivering robust applications in physical security, the internet of things (loT) and building automation. 

Adding muscle to smart devices 

“Wi-Fi 7, the latest generation of Wi-Fi, delivers multigigabit transmission speeds, ultra-low latency and features like multilink operation that allow devices to use multiple bands at the same time for faster and more resilient connections,” said Maureen Gallagher, vice president of marketing at Wi-Fi Alliance, Austin, Texas. 

“The increased performance and reliability in Wi-Fi 7 will drive enhanced performance and responsiveness for smart, connected IoT devices, including door locks, thermometers and security systems, and will support many more devices simultaneously without sacrificing performance. Future standards, like Wi-Fi 8 and beyond, will continue to build on this momentum, providing the reliable connectivity needed to scale with the growing IoT ecosystem,” Gallagher said.

Growth of IoT devices continues to outpace traditional managed endpoints such as laptops, especially in smart buildings. 

“Cameras, access control systems and sensors are becoming more intelligent, with onboard A.I. and edge computing capabilities … these systems generate large volumes of data and require high-speed, low-latency connectivity,” said Matthew Landry, vice president of product management for Cisco Wireless, San Jose, Calif.

Stronger network for video analytics

“Wi-Fi introduces several key innovations—multilink operation, 4K-QAM and puncturing—that significantly improve network efficiency, throughput and interference management,” Landry said. “These enhancements enable Wi-Fi to support the densification of smart devices and advanced workloads like real-time video analytics and autonomous response. As a result, Wi-Fi 7 provides a critical foundation for high-­performance, resilient security and building automation networks. Wi-Fi 8 is still a ways off, but expect innovations to reinforce the predictability of roaming behavior and improve the efficiency of IoT devices.”

Convergence of 5G/6G/Wi-Fi

Predictions from the Wireless Broadband Association (WBA), San Ramon, Calif., cite 5G/6G and Wi-Fi convergence as a top trend that “ensures high-quality connectivity by dynamically switching between the best available networks.”

“In a smart city, for example, a person moving from a Wi-Fi-rich office to a 5G-powered urban area will experience uninterrupted service, thanks to technologies like OpenRoaming and Passpoint, which enable secure, automatic connections to trusted Wi-Fi networks,” according to WBA’s 2025 Wi-Fi report. 

Wi-Fi and 5G/6G can work together to deliver seamless connectivity, Gallagher said. “Wi-Fi is the preferred connectivity method for low-power indoor use cases, while 5G is often implemented in outdoor environments. Layering 5G and 6G into existing Wi-Fi networks allows for increased reliability, especially when users are continuously moving between indoor and outdoor environments, such as a factory setting or university campus. This level of hybrid connectivity also delivers enhanced security and reliability for mission-critical applications like security cameras and remote operations.”

Landry said the convergence of Wi-Fi and 5G/6G is unfolding along two main lines: complementary deployment and private­-public network integration. 

“When it comes to complementary deployments, Wi-Fi and private 5G [P5G] serve distinct needs. Wi-Fi provides high-capacity, low-cost connectivity and supports a wide IoT ecosystem. P5G offers broader coverage and mobility in licensed spectrum. In many deployments, they operate in parallel—P5G for targeted operational needs, Wi-Fi for general access. That said, most indoor networks will continue to rely on Wi-Fi alone, now enhanced with standard power operation and AFC in the 6-gigahertz band,” he said.

While Wi-Fi remains the primary connectivity medium for IoT, other midband technologies such as Bluetooth (802.15.1), Zigbee, Thread and Matter (802.15.4) are increasingly important. 

“Wi-Fi access points have evolved into multiradio platforms, integrating these protocols along with ultra-wideband, GPS and sensing,” Landry said. “This enables more devices to connect to the network across a variety of protocols, and the interplay of Wi-Fi and 5G enables those devices to move flexibly across more environments. Think of a smart vehicle shifting from home Wi-Fi to 5G on the road, or a shipping pallet moving from dockside Wi-Fi or BLE to cellular or satellite in transit.”

Wi-Fi innovation is moving systems integration into smarter spaces, where devices can reliably navigate communications.

Vladimir / stock.adobe.com