"The future of home Wi-Fi is about smarter, Al-driven networks"

From jitter and latency to interference, spoofed devices, and jamming, WiFi is venturing far beyond its traditional bounds.

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DR SARATH KUMAR Chief Technology Officer, ACT Fibernet

As it expands into the 6 GHz spectrum with WiFi 6E and WiFi 7, the network is also being reshaped by AI, multi-link operations, 320 MHz channels, and increasingly sophisticated device diversity. These developments are ushering in an era where optimisation and priority management are not just technical luxuries but user expectations. Dr Sarath Kumar, CTO of ACT Fibernet, catches up with Pratima Harigunani to decode current challenges and the evolving WiFi landscape. Excerpt:

What should we be excited—or concerned—about with WiFi today?

WiFi has become central to our digital lives, particularly at home, where the quality of connectivity influences everything from work and education to entertainment and smart living. Today's networks are capable of multi-gigabit speeds, ultra-low latency, and can support dozens of devices simultaneously—features that define the modern connected household.

What truly elevates this experience is the arrival of AI-powered smart WiFi. With AI introducing application-level awareness into the network, critical services—like video calls, online classes or streaming—are prioritised automatically. This leads to fewer interruptions, smarter bandwidth allocation, and a WiFi system that adapts dynamically to a household's real-time needs. AI also helps detect and resolve performance issues proactively, often before the user even notices, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

Is WiFi now completely fuss-free?

Not entirely. The growing complexity of home networks, increased device diversity, and ever-evolving security threats still present serious challenges. Without intelligent management, even high-performance hardware can deliver disappointing results.