By Claus Hetting, WiFi NOW CEO & Chairman
Wi-Fi 8 operator validation begins as TIM & Qualcomm test Wi-Fi 8 in Brazil
Brazilian operator TIM and Qualcomm have demonstrated Wi-Fi 8 technology at TIM Lab in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, combining the emerging IEEE 802.11bn standard with XGS-PON fibre access, AI-assisted network operation and advanced cybersecurity, according to TELE.TÍME, September 30, 2026.
Brazilian technology publication Mobile Bit reports that the home gateway used for the demonstration was based on Qualcomm’s Dragonwing F8 or Dragonwing FiberPro A8 Elite platforms. The tests included interference management, improved in-home coverage, and more efficient spectrum use, as well as Dynamic Subband Operation (DSO), which allocates radio resources according to the capabilities and network conditions of individual devices.
The development appears to be one of the first publicly reported instances of a major operator beginning practical evaluation of Wi-Fi 8 well ahead of final standardisation. TIM says the activity remains a technology validation exercise rather than a commercial launch, with future demonstrations expected to evaluate Wi-Fi 8 performance in real residential environments and different home-network scenarios.
TP-Link opens Wi-Fi 8 preorders globally – but FCC restrictions keep the US out
TP-Link has opened preorders for its first Wi-Fi 8 router, the Archer 8 Ultra, in selected markets including the UK, Germany, Australia, and Canada, according to TP-Link’s September 30 announcement. The tri-band router is powered by Broadcom Wi-Fi 8 silicon and delivers up to 19 Gbps aggregate wireless capacity, while TP-Link claims up to 33% higher throughput than Wi-Fi 7 at mid-to-long range and up to 24% more consistent throughput under interference.
The notable exception is the United States. According to Tom’s Hardware, TP-Link has not as yet secured the FCC Conditional Approval required to introduce new wireless hardware in the US, leaving the Archer 8 Ultra outside the US launch for now. TP-Link has been among the first AP vendors to release Wi-Fi 8 products and this week’s announcement means that Wi-Fi 8 is already moving into commercially available consumer hardware, while US regulatory restrictions are beginning to influence where next-generation Wi-Fi products can actually launch.
WiFi NOW’s take: Will US authorities – and in particular the US administration – accept that countries such as UK, Germany, Australia, and Canada, are now leading ‘the race to Wi-Fi 8’ for the arguably absurd reason that the FCC has selectively disallowed new routers on the market? That is a question worth asking of the FCC and the powers that be, which otherwise seem intent on winning other ‘technological races’ – including for AI, 5G, 6G, and more. Remember that without Wi-Fi, nobody will be able to access AI services in the first place.
SPARK Microsystems lands SteelSeries design win for UWB gaming mice
SPARK Microsystems has secured a significant new design win with SteelSeries, which is using SPARK’s low-energy UWB technology in its new Sensei Pro and Rival Pro gaming mice. According to SteelSeries’ September 29 announcement, the products use UWB instead of conventional 2.4 GHz wireless to deliver true 8K polling with improved resistance to congestion and interference. SPARK confirmed the partnership on October 1, marking another commercial validation of low-energy UWB for high-performance wireless peripherals. The mice are available for preorder now and are scheduled to reach retail on October 13.
FCC formally launches major review of UWB rules
The FCC has formally launched a major review of US ultra-wideband regulations, adopting a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking intended to modernise rules first introduced in 2002. According to the FCC’s proceeding in ET Docket No. 26-245, the proposals include updated definitions and measurement procedures, a new UWB device category for applications including factory automation, autonomous navigation and AI-enabled sensing, and possible changes to restrictions covering drones, aircraft and other platforms. The FCC will also examine emission limits, duty cycles and antenna requirements. The proceeding could significantly expand the scope of permitted UWB applications in the US.
Samsung combines Bluetooth Channel Sounding and UWB in SmartTag3
Samsung has introduced its new SmartTag3 with both Bluetooth Channel Sounding and ultra-wideband, creating a real-world example of how the two positioning technologies can complement each other. According to Samsung’s announcement, Bluetooth Channel Sounding is used for longer-range distance and direction finding, while UWB takes over at closer range for precision locating. SmartTag3 suggests Bluetooth Channel Sounding may not simply replace UWB in tracking applications. Instead, the two technologies can divide the job between broader discovery and precision ranging, strengthening the case for multi-radio location systems in future consumer devices.
VeEX targets Wi-Fi 7 truck-roll reduction with field test toolkit
VeEX is targeting operator Wi-Fi 7 deployments with its WX90 Wi-Fi Expert Test Toolkit, a handheld device designed to help technicians identify coverage, interference, and performance problems during the first customer visit. According to Lightwave, the WX90 scans 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz, provides spectrum and interference analysis, generates heatmaps, and validates real-world Internet and Wi-Fi performance.
In general, it is not yet common (because of cost implications) for service providers to validate or troubleshoot home Wi-Fi deployments with handheld equipment operated by technicians. But as operators deploy faster Wi-Fi 7 gateways, diagnosing whether problems originate in RF conditions, in-home coverage, or the broadband connection becomes increasingly important. Better field diagnostics could reduce repeat truck rolls and associated support costs.
/Claus.
