Broadcom has announced enterprise Wi-Fi 8 access point and switch solution, purpose-built with a unified architecture to support AI-ready enterprise networks. The new platform is designed to address rising bandwidth requirements, ultra-low latency needs, and escalating security demands as organizations modernize their campus and edge infrastructure.
The solution builds on Broadcom’s first-to-market Wi-Fi 8 radios introduced in October 2025 and introduces a new enterprise-grade Wi-Fi 8 access point platform powered by the BCM49438 accelerated processing unit (APU). The APU is designed to optimize wireless networking while enabling AI acceleration at the enterprise edge. Broadcom also unveiled a new enterprise switch platform based on the Trident X3+ BCM56390 Ethernet switch, paired with its multi-gigabit PHY and Power over Ethernet (PoE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) chips. Together, these platforms form a tightly integrated architecture that enhances performance, efficiency, and security across the enterprise Wi-Fi 8 network.
“As enterprises increasingly rely on AI for mission-critical operations and security, the need 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. “By combining Wi-Fi 8, multi-gigabit Ethernet, and integrated edge AI, our end-to-end solution provides the foundation enterprises need to manage risk and thrive in the AI era.”
Powering the Next Era of Enterprise Networking
Wi-Fi 8 is expected to place unprecedented demands on enterprise networks, driven by higher bandwidth consumption, the need for deterministic low latency to support real-time AI applications, and the rapid growth of telemetry data from connected devices. Meeting these requirements extends beyond access points to the switching layer, requiring advanced wiring-closet switches capable of multi-gigabit speeds, intelligent processing, and enhanced quality of service.
The transition to Wi-Fi 8 is also being shaped by broader enterprise and campus trends, including the continued rise of hybrid work, increasing exposure to adversarial AI-driven cyber threats, the emergence of AI factories requiring ultra-reliable connectivity, and growing pressure to manage operating expenses during large-scale network upgrades.
Three Industry Firsts for Enterprise Networks
To address these challenges, Broadcom’s enterprise Wi-Fi 8 portfolio introduces three major industry firsts:
End-to-End Security: Broadcom is the first to implement MACsec across all access points and switch ports, delivering comprehensive wired and wireless security.
Extensive Analytics and Telemetry: Advanced telemetry and analytics engines span the entire portfolio, enabling deeper visibility and AI-powered network operations (AIOps).
Integrated Edge AI: Built-in AI/ML acceleration within the Wi-Fi 8 access point eliminates the need for external NPUs or coprocessors, reducing cost and complexity.
Wi-Fi 8 Edge AI Access Point Platform
At the core of the Wi-Fi 8 access point platform is the BCM49438 APU, which integrates high-performance computing, networking, and AI acceleration into a single silicon design. When paired with Broadcom’s Wi-Fi 8 radio chips — BCM43840, BCM43844, and BCM43820 — the platform enables real-time optimization, adaptive intelligence, and edge AI processing across all frequency bands.
Trident X3+ Enterprise Switch Platform
Complementing the access point is the Trident X3+ Ethernet switch platform, designed with a security-first architecture. The switch doubles front-panel bandwidth to support up to 48 multi-gigabit ports, making it well suited for high-density Wi-Fi 8 deployments. It is the first switch to integrate post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-compliant MACsec across all ports and includes a Secure Boot engine with a hardware root of trust. The platform also incorporates Broadcom’s multi-gigabit PHYs — including BCM84918, BCM54908, and BCM54908E — along with PoE PSE chips for efficient power delivery.
Unified Architecture for AI-Driven Networks
By integrating Wi-Fi 8 access points, accelerated processing, switching, multi-gigabit PHYs, and PoE, Broadcom’s unified architecture significantly enhances network telemetry and real-time intelligence. The solution also supports Wireless Time-Sensitive Networking (wTSN) using IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP), enabling ultra-low latency and deterministic communication required for advanced industrial environments and AI-driven manufacturing.
Commenting on the announcement, Siân Morgan, Research Director at Dell’Oro Group, said Broadcom’s end-to-end approach delivers stronger performance, advanced analytics for AIOps, and improved cost efficiency through integrated edge AI and comprehensive security.
Availability
Broadcom is currently sampling the complete enterprise Wi-Fi 8 access point and switch solution — including the BCM49438 APU with Wi-Fi 8 radios and the Trident X3+ BCM56390 switch with multi-gigabit PHY and PoE PSE chips — to early-access customers and partners.