Day 1 of CES 2025 - Incredible Wi-Fi is Assumed

Day 1 of CES 2025 didn’t disappoint, especially for those of us focused on wireless technologies and infrastructure. I got a firsthand look at some of the latest Wi-Fi 7 consumer gear, including updates to products like eero (obviously ;-))

Beyond the consumer side, it was fascinating to explore developer kits from RAKwireless , Nordic Semiconductor , Morse Micro and more. These tools highlight the growing emphasis on supporting developers in solving low-latency, small-payload connectivity challenges—a critical need for IoT and beyond.

Meeting founders of innovative brands, like Franci Zidar from Bird Buddy, reinforce how integral wireless has become to innovative and creative new technologies because of the assumption that everything we use daily is connected to a fully functional Wi-Fi network.

What’s becoming increasingly clear is the industry’s shift in how wireless connectivity is viewed. Devices now assume robust, low-latency connectivity will be available—whether it’s a health-scanning smart mirror or an 8K TV streaming high-definition, low-lag video across the room.

This shift has placed a massive burden on wireless infrastructure, pushing it from a “nice-to-have” to a critical, invisible utility. This theme has been growing, year-after-year, but now with the unbridled expectations of how much capacity will be needed turned all the way up, it is increasingly more demanding, and not just in throughput but in low-latency quality of service. The quality of experience demand has never been higher and will continue to be pushed by the experiential manufacturers like LG, Sony, Samsung, etc, as opposed to working within the confines of legacy Wi-Fi networks. The question is no longer what can we do with what we have but now, what can we do assuming we have everything. Rest assured, the wireless industry will have to keep the pace that is no longer being set by it's own equipment.

At the same time, spectrum usage and creative solutions to manage increasingly demanding connections are more important than ever. Technologies like Wi-Fi 7, dynamic spectrum allocation, and new bands like 6 GHz or mmWave are becoming essential for seamless user experiences.

For those unable to attend CES, the takeaway is this: wireless infrastructure is no longer just keeping up with innovation—it’s the foundation driving it. The show is filled with products and platforms that push the boundaries of connectivity, while developer tools highlight a need for more creative and agile solutions to leverage available spectrum effectively. CES continues to be a showcase of where the industry is heading, and it’s clear we’re entering an era where wireless connectivity isn’t just expected—it’s demanded.