Towards Wi-Fi 9: Vision, Requirements, and Candidate Technologies

Abstract Wi-Fi standardization continues: IEEE 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8) reached Draft 1.0 in August 2025 and is progressing through comment resolution. The wireless industry now stands at a pivotal crossroads as it begins to define Wi-Fi 9. This paper analyzes technical directions and candidate features for the post-802.11bn amendment, tentatively referred to as Wi-Fi 9. We synthesize contributions from device manufacturers, network operators, and research institutions presented to the IEEE 802.11 Wireless Next Generation Standing Committee in early 2026. The emerging consensus indicates that, rather than increasing the nominal data rates, the next generation will likely prioritize deterministic performance, reliability, and expanded application domains. The paper examines the market forces driving this transition, including AI workloads that invert traditional traffic asymmetry, industrial robotics that demand sub-millisecond latency, and immersive entertainment that requires the simultaneous satisfaction of throughput, latency, and reliability constraints. Then the paper analyzes candidate technologies spanning PHY and MAC layer transformations, coordination between multiple networks, and AI integration throughout the protocol stack. Implementation challenges, including backward compatibility tradeoffs and spectrum availability, are discussed. Finally, the paper outlines the anticipated standardization timeline targeting commercial deployment of Wi-Fi 9 in the 2030s.