Qualcomm Technologies has presented its portfolio of solutions for Wi-Fi 8 at MWC 2026 being held this week in Barcelona. A key step to establish the bases of what will be the next version of the wireless connectivity standard.
Qualcomm’s solutions include the FastConnect 8800 and five new ‘Dragonwing’ networking platforms. They are designed to offer the connectivity and processing performance necessary to consolidate a new generation of products for today’s AI demands.
“The current profile of network traffic is changing radically, as AI-driven demand demands a rethink of the core architecture. “Qualcomm Technologies is redefining that architecture to enable AI everywhere,” said Gautam Sheoran, senior vice president and general manager, Connectivity, Broadband and Networks, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Next-generation networks and devices need to be not only AI-native, but also a new generation of intelligent, high-performance connectivity. Qualcomm Technologies’ Wi-Fi 8 generation of products offers it all: faster speed, higher reliability, longer range and powerful AI ».
FastConnect 8800
Qualcomm touts it as the world’s first mobile solution with a 4×4 Wi-Fi radio configuration, allowing speeds greater than 10 Gbps. This delivers up to twice the performance of the previous generation of Wi-Fi 7 and up to three times the gigabit wireless range. Furthermore, thanks to Bluetooth High Data Throughput (HDT), the Bluetooth speed also increases significantly from 2 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps.
FastConnect 8800 is also the only mobile connectivity system to offer Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth 7.0, Ultra Wideband 802.15.4ab and Thread 1.5 in a single chip solution. The system also incorporates proximity AI, which uses UWB, Bluetooth channel polling, Wi-Fi distance measurement and other sensing technologies for precise tracking with centimeter accuracy. Qualcomo assures that “It will not only revolutionize smartphone connectivity, but will also benefit other formats and industries, such as tablets, laptops, robotics and more”.
Plataformas de red ‘Dragonwing’
Qualcomm’s Dragonwing Wi-Fi 8 networking platforms aim to establish a new class of networking infrastructure that turns enterprise routers, broadband gateways and access points into native AI systems with high-performance intelligent wireless networks. The platform includes:
- Qualcomm Dragonwing NPro A8 Elite is designed to enhance wireless experiences through computing power, Wi-Fi 8, and a collection of system-level innovations.
- Qualcomm Dragonwing FiberPro A8 Elite It delivers the same ultra-high reliability Wi-Fi 8 performance, next-generation edge intelligence, and platform-level AI acceleration as before, complemented by 10G fiber access (PON), ideal for operators and OEMs aiming for a unified, fiber-ready gateway solution.
- Qualcomm Dragonwing FWA Gen 5 Elite maintains the advanced fixed wireless access performance and platform architecture of the previous generation, enabled by the Qualcomm®
- Las plataformas Qualcomm Dragonwing N8 y Qualcomm Dragonwing F8 They represent high-end options for Ethernet and fiber broadband deployments, respectively. These platforms extend the Wi-Fi 8 experience to high-volume product segments, such as mesh systems and home routers.
All solutions in Qualcomm Technologies’ Wi-Fi 8 portfolio are now available to customers, and are expected to be commercially available in late 2026. Learn more in the Wi-Fi 8 product page of the company.
