Dell'Oro Group said on August 4, 2026 that enterprise-class Wi-Fi 8 could arrive as early as 2027, earlier than expected, as vendors redesign access points to work around a shortage of DDR4 memory chips. Dell'Oro had reported in June that several vendors raised wireless LAN list prices to offset higher memory costs tied to the AI infrastructure build-out, and in September it said average selling prices are expected to keep rising through the year, with variable lead times in a supply-driven market. Senior director Sian Morgan said enterprises have squeezed in orders before prices rise further.
For businesses planning a wireless refresh, this creates a timing question. Waiting can mean paying more for Wi-Fi 7 gear, but buying now means committing to a generation that Dell'Oro expects to be followed by Wi-Fi 8 sooner than usual. Dell'Oro still forecasts Wi-Fi 7 revenue growth for three more years, so Wi-Fi 7 is not a dead end.
If your current access points are aging or out of support, get quotes now and ask your vendor or reseller how long pricing is held and what lead times look like. Ask whether price increases have already been announced for your product line. If your current wireless still performs well, it may be reasonable to wait and spend the next year on cabling and switching, which will serve Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 8. Either way, avoid buying more access points than you need today just to beat a price increase.
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