RCR Wireless Wi-Fi Forum 2026

As 6G still develops, Wi-Fi is stepping into the spotlight, not just as a complementary technology, but as a critical enabler of connectivity. With Wi-Fi 7 rolling out and Wi-Fi 8 on the horizon, the wireless ecosystem is experiencing a renaissance, driven by 6GHz spectrum expansion, AI-powered optimization, and a surge in enterprise and public deployments. In many ways, Wi-Fi is acting as a strategic stopgap, filling coverage gaps, offloading mobile traffic, and powering high-performance use cases while 6G remains in development. It’s the connective tissue between today’s 5G ambitions and tomorrow’s 6G vision.

Join Spirent's two sessions during this live event.

11:30 AM - 12:10 PM EST
Panel discussion: Wi-Fi 8 on the horizon: Will it be the connectivity fabric for the AI era?
We’ll discuss:

• Wi-Fi 8 characteristics explored - deterministic latency, ultra-high throughout and AI-native design
• Role in supporting edge, AI, robotics and autonomous systems
• Comparison with 5G and private LTE for AI workloads
• Overcoming key barriers to adoption - RF interference, seamless roaming, power efficiency, backhaul and regulatory hurdles
• Timelines for standardization and commercial rollout
• Will Wi-Fi 8 be revolutionary? And what use cases will Wi-Fi 8 unlock?

1:25 PM - 2:05 PM EST
Panel discussion: Wi-Fi, 5G and 6G convergence
We’ll discuss:

• Shared infrastructure and spectrum harmonization
• Use cases for hybrid deployments (e.g. stadiums, campuses)
• Seamless handoff and roaming between Wi-Fi and 5G
• Business models for operators and neutral hosts
• New Wi-Fi requirements for 6G and cellular world convergence
• A new converged architecture (3GPP R20 latest trends for WLAN integration)
• The Wi- Fi opportunity with QoS/QoE
• Monetization angles on the rise