Enterprise Wi-Fi networking teams are experiencing big gains with Artificial Intelligence (AI), but full automation is unlikely. AI tools are not immune to hallucinations and make the occasional mistake, which is too risky for high-stakes decision-making. However, ABI Research still sees AI transforming the industry in profound ways.

One of the top wireless trends in 2026 is the Wi-Fi ecosystem currently championing the potential of new, advanced forms of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with Generative AI (Gen AI) and Agentic AI tools promoted holding the keys to autonomous networking.

To the average person, Wi-Fi is simply known as a technology used to play online video games, launch Netflix, connect their laptop to the Internet, or enable other common applications. While this mostly holds true today, the future of Wi-Fi is much more appealing with the advent of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC). After significant progress in standardization, ISAC is inching closer to prime time.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) solutions have historically struggled to gain traction in the industrial markets, with industrial organizations traditionally favoring tried and tested fixed cable over what they view as unreliable wireless. Yet recent technical advances in WLAN, including 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8), and Standard Power 6 Gigahertz (6 GHz), are enabling WLAN to handle more complex and more demanding industrial tasks for the first time. Alongside this, industrial organizations are increasingly in need of WLAN to service the new mission-critical applications (e.g., Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)) that depend upon wireless. These developments are helping to expand the addressable market for industrial WLAN, and ABI Research forecasts that annual ruggedized industrial WLAN Access Point (AP) shipments will increase from 3.2 million in 2024 to 4.9 million in 2030.

Acquiring reliable connectivity is a baseline requirement for the modern enterprise campus. However, campus networks are a little trickier to provide quality Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) services than traditional enterprise networks. This is because campus networks have divergent connectivity requirements and encompass a wide range of industries. Adding to the challenge is the fact that campus networks require scalable indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi solutions that support long-distance building-to-building connectivity. These connectivity challenges have borne a number of technological advancements from WLAN vendors.

Have you ever been in a rush to go somewhere, but heavy traffic slowed you down? If only a private lane was reserved for just you, you’d never have to worry about traffic again. While you’ll never get a lane to just yourself, the next best thing is using the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane when you can. In the world of campus Wireless Local-Area Network (WLAN) solutions, the 6 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum is your HOV lane. Compared to the more popular 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrums, the 6 GHz spectrum is far less congested. The additional capacity of 6 GHz significantly benefits Campus Area Networks (CANs), notably those enterprise campuses, education, large public venues, and the hospitality sector.

In times of economic uncertainty, the main priority of an enterprise is to sustain operations in the most economical and simplified way possible. Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) deployment models are the perfect solution to this challenge for enterprise Wi-Fi connectivity. A virtualized NaaS model means cloud-based software takes precedence over physical on-premises management, with management and maintenance responsibilities outsourced to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or sometimes the equipment vendor directly. Enterprises typically “pay as they go” for access to NaaS, ensuring that wastage is minimized and expenses align with their business needs.  Although they're skeptical now, ABI Research forecasts that more than 9 in 10 enterprises will use this usage-based consumption model for at least a quarter of their network services by 2030. Moreover, our analyst team projects a 72% boost in NaaS revenue by the end of the decade.

But why are an increasing number of enterprises turning to NaaS, and what do infrastructure vendors stand to gain from this new service model?

While most people know what Wi-Fi is and probably use it on a daily basis, few actually understand the difference between each protocol. With Wi-Fi 7 fast approaching, it’s a good time to explain each Wi-Fi standard, starting with Wi-Fi's genesis all the way back in 1997 with 802.11.

Intel and MediaTek this week announced a major new foundry partnership, in which MediaTek will manufacture chips targeting Internet of Things (IoT) and edge applications using Intel Foundry Services’ (IFS) advanced process technologies. This new strategic partnership is not only a significant win for both parties but will also have profound impacts on the global chipset supply chain and U.S. chipset ecosystem, significantly helping these industries in their efforts to delocalize manufacturing processes away from Asian (Chinese) dominance and closer to American Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Once the go-to solution for an enterprise wireless network, Wi-Fi 5 is nearing its demise. By 2025, Wi-Fi 5 will be near obsolete, as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 offer superior performance in a world where enterprises introduce more and more connected devices to their work environments. To avoid getting caught off-guard, equipment vendors must learn where the greatest demands lie within the world of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) network solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• Mesh Wi-Fi is growing rapidly. Shipments will reach 87 million units by 2030, making it the fastest-growing Wi-Fi solution for homes and small offices.
• Mesh delivers stronger, more reliable coverage. Multiple nodes prevent downtime, handle many devices at once, and are easy to scale with a simple plug-and-play setup.
• It improves the remote work and family experience. Mesh networks reduce lag and bandwidth issues when many devices are connected, supporting both work and entertainment needs.
• High costs and broadband requirements limit adoption. Mesh kits are expensive and need strong internet speeds, so repeaters and extenders remain attractive alternatives in price-sensitive and rural markets.
• Vendors must address performance and price concerns. To drive adoption, solution providers should minimize data-hopping issues and create more affordable entry-level options.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent work-from-home policies alerted millions more consumers and enterprises to the world of Wi-Fi coverage extension. The most encouraging solution for residential Wi-Fi extension is mesh networks, promising a seamless system that is much more resilient than a traditional Wi-Fi network. 

According to ABI Research market forecasts, more than 53 million Wi-Fi mesh Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) will ship in 2025 across SOHO and residential markets. Outpacing all other Wi-Fi device types, mesh infrastructure shipments will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13% through 2030, reaching 87 million units.