Network trends 2026: what is coming for businesses and homes

The networking world is evolving rapidly. In 2026, several technologies are transforming how we connect offices and homes. Here are the most important trends and how to prepare your infrastructure.

1. WiFi 7 (802.11be)

WiFi 7 is hitting the market with theoretical speeds up to 46 Gbps, Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for simultaneous multi-band usage, and 320 MHz channels. The key: you need Cat6A or higher cabling to leverage these speeds.

2. 25 Gbps Ethernet in offices

25GbE is becoming more affordable and reaching mid-sized offices. With growing traffic from AI, 4K video conferencing, and cloud computing, 10 Gbps is already insufficient for some businesses.

3. AI in network management

AIOps tools can detect network issues before they affect users, automatically optimize performance, and predict capacity needs.

4. Edge Computing

More processing happens at the network edge instead of the cloud. This improves latency for AI applications, industrial IoT, and automation. Companies need more powerful local network infrastructure.

5. Future-proof cabling

• •Cat6A is now the minimum recommended for new installations
• •Fiber optics for backbones between buildings/floors
• •PoE++ for increasingly powerful devices
• •Modular infrastructure for easy upgrades