CTS 379: 2026 Predictions: What Will Change in Enterprise Wireless?

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In this episode of Clear to Send, the team shares their forward-looking predictions for 2026, grounded in real-world deployments and patterns they’re seeing across the Wi-Fi industry. From spectrum usage to client behavior, the conversation frames what engineers and IT leaders should be preparing for as Wi-Fi continues to evolve globally.



A major theme is the acceleration of 6 GHz adoption, especially in North America, with expectations that standard-power 6 GHz devices and AFC-enabled designs will become more common. The hosts predict a tipping point where 6 GHz client connections rival—and surpass—5 GHz, naturally improving network load balancing. They also discuss regional differences, noting uncertainty around upper 6 GHz availability in Europe, alongside a broader push toward WPA3 migrations and the operational challenges posed by legacy and IoT devices.



The episode rounds out with predictions on technology and market shifts: deeper learnings from early Wi-Fi 7 deployments, more practical and embedded uses of AI in engineering workflows, and increased adoption of Ultra-Wideband for precise location services without overlay networks. On the vendor side, the hosts speculate that a more agile challenger could emerge to compete with incumbents like HPE and Cisco, while device trends point toward broader adoption of Apple’s in-house wireless silicon across the ecosystem—making 2026 a year of refinement, validation, and meaningful change rather than pure hype.