Broadcom Announces Industry’s First Enterprise Wi-Fi 8 Access Point and Switch Solution for the AI Era

Unified, wireless-first architecture addresses rising demand for hybrid work and delivers performance, efficiency and security needed for next-generation enterprise networking

Broadcom, a global leader in semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions, announced the industry’s first Wi-Fi 8 access point (AP) and switch solution purpose-built with a unified architecture for AI-ready enterprise networks.

Building on Broadcom’s first-to-market Wi-Fi 8 radios launched in October 2025, the new enterprise-grade Wi-Fi 8 AP platform is powered by a new accelerated processing unit (APU) chip, the BCM49438, designed to optimize wireless networking and AI acceleration at the enterprise edge. Additionally, Broadcom unveiled an enterprise-grade switch platform powered by a new Ethernet switch, the Trident X3+ BCM56390, with Broadcom’s industry-leading multi-gigabit PHY and PoE power sourcing equipment (PSE) chips. Together, these platforms form a unified architecture that maximizes the performance, efficiency and security for the Wi-Fi 8 wireless network in the enterprise.

“As enterprises increasingly rely on AI for critical operations and security, the demand for a robust, intelligent, and secure network infrastructure has never been greater,” said Mark Gonikberg, senior vice president and general manager of Broadcom’s Wireless and Broadband Communications Division. “Our new end-to-end solution for enterprise Wi-Fi and switching, incorporating Wi-Fi 8, multi-gigabit Ethernet, and edge AI capabilities, provides the essential foundation for organizations to navigate risk and thrive in the AI era.”

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Next Era of Enterprise Networking
Wi-Fi 8 is set to usher in a new era of connectivity, placing unprecedented demands on network infrastructure. The anticipated increases in bandwidth, the need for ultra-low latency for real-time AI applications, and the explosion of telemetry data from a multitude of connected devices will necessitate a significant upgrade to existing networks. This enhanced infrastructure must extend beyond the access points, requiring advanced switches in the wiring closet capable of handling multi-gigabit speeds, advanced quality of service (QoS), and intelligent processing to support the robust, secure, and AI-driven networks of the future.

The transition to Wi-Fi 8 is occurring amidst significant shifts in enterprise technology and campus demands. Major drivers of network transformation include:

• Growing trend of hybrid work driving substantial increase in network bandwidth demands in both uplink and downlink communications.
• Mounting threats from adversarial AI attacks requiring robust, multi-layered defenses to effectively safeguard corporate and user data.
• Next-generation AI factories demanding ultra-high reliability and low latency connectivity to support real-time operations.
• Operating expense (OpEx) becoming a critical consideration for next-generation network upgrades.

Broadcom is pioneering enterprise network solutions with three major industry firsts to address this shifting landscape:

1. Comprehensive, End-to-End Security — Broadcom’s portfolio is the first to implement MACsec across all switch ports and access points, delivering complete, end-to-end security.
2. Extensive Analytics — The Wi-Fi 8 solutions introduce advanced telemetry and analytics engines, covering the entire portfolio from the latest Wi-Fi 8 access points to the campus switching infrastructure.
3. Integrated Edge AI — Advanced AI model acceleration is delivered through an integrated Edge AI/ML engine on the Wi-Fi 8 AP, eliminating the need for the added cost of a separate NPU or coprocessor.

The Wi-Fi 8 Edge AI Access Point Platform
At the heart of the Wi-Fi 8 AP platform is the new BCM49438 APU that combines high-performance computing, networking, and AI acceleration in a single, tightly integrated silicon. Paired with Broadcom’s latest enterprise Wi-Fi 8 radio chips, the BCM43840, BCM43844 and BCM43820, enterprise OEMs can build a complete Wi-Fi 8 AP that enables edge AI processing, real-time optimization, and adaptive intelligence across all frequency bands.

The Trident X3+ Switch Platform
Complementing the AP is the new Trident X3+ Ethernet switch platform. The Trident X3+ is engineered with a security-first approach, doubling the front-panel bandwidth to up to 48 multi-gigabit ports to support high-density Wi-Fi 8 deployments. It is the first switch to integrate PQC-compliant MACsec across all ports and includes a Secure Boot engine with a Hardware Root-of-Trust, ensuring comprehensive, end-to-end security across the entire wired and wireless network. Further, the platform is equipped with Broadcom’s multi-gigabit PHYs, including the BCM84918, BCM54908 and BCM54908E, that provide seamless, high-speed AP connectivity and PoE PSE chips that deliver optimal power and efficiency.

Unified Architecture Driving Next-Generation Networks
The unified architecture, integrating Wi-Fi 8 capabilities, APU, Trident X3+ switch and multi-gigabit PHY and PoE PSE, significantly elevates network telemetry capabilities, moving beyond simple logging to offer deep, real-time insights for effective AI-powered network operations (AIOps). Further, the solution includes Wireless Time-Sensitive Networking (wTSN), leveraging 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to guarantee ultra-low latency and deterministic communication. This precision is foundational technology for next-generation industrial environments and sophisticated AI-driven manufacturing processes.

“Broadcom’s new Wi-Fi 8​ solution addresses many of the critical challenges facing modern enterprise networks,” said Siân Morgan, research director at Dell’Oro Group. “By taking an end-to-end approach, from the access point to the switch, Broadcom is delivering enhanced network performance and advanced analytics for AIOps. Broadcom’s focus on integrated edge AI, lower-cost MACsec security, and end-to-end telemetry will result in smarter, more secure, and more cost-efficient networks for enterprises.”

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