THE CRUNCH
Asus has launched the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 and its Pro sibling, the world’s first gaming routers to support the new Wi-Fi 8 standard. The devices are built on the 802.11bn specification and are designed to improve connection reliability and range rather than chasing higher peak speeds. The routers feature Asus’s RF tuning and antennae to ensure stable coverage across a home.
Wi-Fi 8 is built on the same foundation as its predecessor, Wi-Fi 7, retaining the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands and a 320MHz channel width. The standard uses 4096-QAM modulation, which allows each symbol to carry 12 bits of data. Asus claims its new routers can theoretically reach speeds of up to 11,529Mbps on the 6GHz band. The primary focus of the new standard is on reducing latency and improving stability through features like Seamless Roaming and Multi-Link Operation (MLO).
Wi-Fi 8 introduces Single Mobility Domain (SMD) to smooth the process of moving between access points. This feature groups networks into a single logical domain, allowing devices to build a connection to a new access point before disconnecting from the old one. This aims to prevent dropped connections and stuttering streams. Additionally, the standard supports Enhanced Long Range (ELR), which uses a narrow 20MHz mode to bolster signals for weak IoT devices. Asus states this can double the width of signal coverage for these devices.