WiFi technology is on the brink of a revolutionary transformation, and 2025 will likely be remembered as the year when "WiFi Everywhere" became a reality.

With new advancements and standards, WiFi is poised to redefine connectivity, create unprecedented opportunities, and enable innovative applications that go far beyond fast internet access.

The latency factor: speed redefined

Since ICASA opened the lower 6 GHz WiFi band for indoor use and we continue to lobby for standard power outdoor use following global trends, WiFi’s potential has skyrocketed. However, the key innovation isn't just about GHz speed, it’s about latency. By significantly reducing latency, WiFi can deliver exponentially faster and more seamless experiences.

WiFi 7, for instance, leverages multi-band capabilities, using 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz simultaneously. 

This enables incredibly high data throughput while maintaining low latency, setting the stage for advanced applications like ultra-high-definition video streaming, real-time augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR), a fully immersive virtual reality.

Where this becomes interesting is that you need the advancement of the technology, which has already happened, and high throughput to deliver it. 360 degree 3D virtual reality requires around 400Mbps speed, for example, and deep immersive XR requires around 1Gbps and low latency.

Both of these technologies use compression to make the technology more efficient in throughput requirements. It is said that the human brain can only decode the equivalent of 5.2Gbps of data through vision sound and senses, which is 1Gbps when compressed into XR, so we have arrived at this point. Today’s WiFi can officially handle this with ease.

Seamless connectivity with Passpoint and OpenRoaming

OpenRoaming, a subset of PassPoint, is another ground-breaking development that promises to eliminate the traditional barriers between different WiFi Hotspots and cellular networks.

This technology allows users to seamlessly transition between cellular and WiFi and also roam between hotspots with seamless handover without interruptions. OpenRoaming can also use social media credentials for authentication, simplifying access. It reduces the load on cellular networks, which is crucial in areas of high network traffic.

In the US, the University of Michigan uses OpenRoaming and PassPoint across 16,000 access points, making it the first large campus where users automatically authenticate on the WiFi network using their SIM credentials.

The same technology is also deployed throughout underground train stations, stadiums and airports, making their networks smarter and more user-friendly.

The arrival of WiFi sensing with 802.11bf

The upcoming 802.11bf standard promises to revolutionise WiFi as we know it. Once adopted by router manufacturers, this standard will enable WiFi sensing, opening up a world of applications such as:

• Home security: WiFi sensing can detect motion, monitor unusual activity, and even replace infrared-based security systems, with AI neutralising false alarms.
• Gesture-controlled smart homes: Control lights, appliances, or media systems with hand gestures.
• Health monitoring: Track breathing patterns in newborns or monitor the safety of elderly family members in real-time. The AI is capable of sensing the difference between someone sitting down and falling down, making it perfect in frail care .

These advancements are supported by powerful AI algorithms that will analyse data from WiFi networks, ensuring accuracy and reliability. 

Imagine a business model where WiFi and connectivity services are offered for free, but users subscribe to value-added services like security, healthcare, or home automation. Such a model could disrupt industries from home security to healthcare and IoT.

Smart Cities: WiFi beyond homes

From WiFi LED globes that talk to Amazons Alexa and Google Home, the future of WiFi isn’t confined to homes or businesses.

For example, RF networks integrated into streetlight luminaires are emerging as a key technology for building smarter cities. Building a huge mesh-type network becomes as easy as changing out the luminaires and adding some internet backhaul.

These networks can provide ubiquitous WiFi access in public spaces and enable IoT applications like traffic management, public safety monitoring, and energy efficiency.

They can and will also form the backbone of advanced urban infrastructure, supporting everything from autonomous vehicles to smart waste management systems.

For Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), all of these developments signal a complete paradigm shift. As WiFi technology evolves, so too will network architectures. The need for extensive cellular infrastructure could diminish as WiFi networks become more pervasive and reliable.

Service providers will need to adapt by offering innovative services and subscription models, leveraging WiFi 7 and 802.11bf capabilities to differentiate themselves, and integrating smart city infrastructure into their offerings to stay competitive. If nothing else, it may help convince regulators that WiFi, not cellular, is where the upper 6GHtz spectrum allocation should go.

Closing thoughts

As we look ahead into 2025, WiFi will no longer be just a utility; it will be the foundation for smarter homes, safer cities, and better lives. From gesture-controlled lighting to AI-enhanced security, from seamless connectivity to RF-powered streetlights, the future of WiFi is limitless.

The era of “WiFi Everywhere” is upon us, and it will fundamentally reshape how we live, work, and connect.