Asus has announced the release of what it calls the first Wi-Fi 8 routers available for sale worldwide. The initial launch is set for Canada on September 4, 2026, with a global rollout expected in October. These routers were previously shown off at Computex 2026, a major technology trade show in Taiwan. Wi-Fi 8 is the marketing name for the upcoming 802.11 standard, which is expected to be finalized in 2028. However, no smartphones or computers currently support this new technology. The ROG Rapture GT-BN98, Asus's flagship router, comes in two models. The GT-BN98 Pro (BN30000) offers a maximum wireless speed of 30,000 Mbps, while the standard model (BN25000) provides 25,000 Mbps. Both versions are equipped with a quadband system using 16 antennas—eight of which are external—and are powered by a quad-core processor running at 2.6 GHz with 2 GB of RAM. On the wired side, both models have two 10 Gbps ports and four 2.5 Gbps LAN ports, supporting high-speed data transfer for devices like gaming consoles and high-end computers. In addition to the high-performance router, Asus has introduced the ZenWiFi BN12, a mesh Wi-Fi 8 system designed for everyday home users. This tri-band router supports 12 data streams and claims to cover up to 650 square meters with two 10 Gbps ports per node. It also includes Asus's AiProtection Pro security suite and parental controls, both of which are available without subscription fees. The system is compatible with AiMesh, allowing it to work with existing Asus routers for expanded coverage. The Wi-Fi 8 standard, officially called Ultra High Reliability, is not primarily focused on increasing speed compared to Wi-Fi 7. Instead, it emphasizes improving connection stability, reducing latency, and ensuring reliable performance in environments with many devices connected to the same network. The maximum theoretical speed is nearly the same as Wi-Fi 7. According to Asus, its routers already show measurable improvements in performance when used with current Wi-Fi 7 devices, as demonstrated in internal testing by its engineers. The ROG Rapture GT-BN98 will be available in France starting at the end of September for 899.99 euros. The ZenWiFi BN12 mesh system will follow in October, sold as a pack of two routers for 1,099.99 euros. These prices reflect the advanced technology and features included in the devices, positioning them as premium options for users seeking top-tier Wi-Fi performance.