LitePoint, a prominent provider of wireless test solutions, announced at CES 2026 that it has successfully achieved PHY-level validation for Qualcomm Technologies' upcoming Wi-Fi 8 platforms. This significant testing milestone, performed using LitePoint's IQxel-MX platform, indicates that Wi-Fi 8 technology is swiftly moving towards commercial readiness. While Qualcomm has yet to formally unveil its complete Wi-Fi 8 portfolio, it is anticipated to do so at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona in March 2026. Wi-Fi 8, officially known as IEEE 802.11bn or Ultra High Reliability (UHR), represents the next generation of wireless standards. Unlike previous iterations that primarily focused on increasing raw speed, Wi-Fi 8 emphasizes superior reliability, reduced latency, and enhanced efficiency, particularly crucial for burgeoning AI-driven workloads, IoT proliferation, and immersive cloud services. Companies like Broadcom and MediaTek also showcased their Wi-Fi 8 chip families and concept routers at CES 2026, demonstrating an accelerated industry push for this technology. Although the official IEEE 802.11bn standard is expected to be ratified around 2028, pre-standard Wi-Fi 8 products are beginning to appear, with retail products potentially arriving as early as mid-2026. This accelerated timeline highlights the industry's commitment to delivering more stable and responsive connectivity for future applications.