Signal Intelligence for the Connected World | January 2026
While consumer Wi-Fi 7 routers are still hitting shelves, the regulatory and research groundwork for the next generation is already being laid. Two major developments in early 2026 are setting the stage for the future of unlicensed spectrum use and mesh networking capabilities.
The FCC has announced new testing and certification requirements for all RF devices operating in unlicensed bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and now 6GHz). While aimed at reducing harmful interference, this may impact the timeline for new hardware releases from smaller manufacturers in Q1/Q2 2026. Always verify equipment is FCC-certified for its intended use.
The full opening of the 6GHz band (5925-7125 MHz) to unlicensed use in 2024 was a landmark decision. In 2026, we're seeing the second wave of innovation as hardware matures beyond early Wi-Fi 6E implementations.
While Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) devices are just hitting the market, the IEEE working group for 802.11bn—likely to be branded Wi-Fi 8—is already defining its goals. Early discussions point to several key focus areas critical for future mesh networks:
A primary goal is sub-1 meter indoor positioning accuracy, turning every access point into a locator. This could revolutionize asset tracking in warehouses, hospitals, and smart factories.
The standard is being designed with native support for distributed AI/ML workloads. Imagine mesh nodes that can collaboratively analyze network traffic patterns to predict and prevent congestion.
With more devices in more bands, a major focus is on smarter spectrum sharing and energy efficiency, especially for battery-powered IoT endpoints in a mesh.
The real innovation in mesh isn't just new radios—it's in the software that manages them.
The Takeaway: The unlicensed spectrum ecosystem is becoming more capable, more intelligent, and more crowded. For builders and operators, success will depend on understanding not just the hardware specs, but the regulatory landscape and the software that brings it all to life.
The LoRa ecosystem continues its quiet expansion, moving beyond simple sensor networks into more complex, hybrid architectures. The focus in 2026 is on flexibility, range extension, and bridging the gap to other network technologies.
Next-generation LoRa chipsets and modules are breaking old limitations:
The concept of a "network of networks" is becoming a commercial reality for critical IoT applications.
Gateways and high-value endpoints now commonly include NB-IoT or LTE-M modems. If the local LoRaWAN network is unavailable, the device can automatically fail over to a cellular connection, ensuring data continuity for applications like emergency equipment monitoring.
Companies like Lacuna Space and EchoStar Mobile have moved from pilot programs to full commercial service. Costs are dropping, with some services now offering plans under $1 per device per month for small data packets, making global asset tracking viable for more industries.
Major IoT platforms (AWS IoT Core, Microsoft Azure IoT, The Things Stack) now provide a single dashboard to manage devices regardless of whether they connect via LoRaWAN, cellular, or satellite, abstracting the network complexity from the application developer.
Recent global events have highlighted LoRa's unique value proposition in challenging environments.
For those experimenting with LoRa mesh (not to be confused with LoRaWAN star topology), the new 2.4GHz global band and more powerful SoCs are enabling more robust peer-to-peer networks for applications like off-grid communications or drone swarms. Libraries like RadioLib and platforms like RIOT OS provide excellent starting points.
The Takeaway: LoRa is solidifying its role as a foundational layer of the IoT stack. It's no longer just about connecting a simple sensor; it's about providing a flexible, low-power connectivity option that can be seamlessly integrated into a broader, multi-technology strategy for reliable data collection from anywhere on Earth.
The most significant trend in 2026 isn't a single technology, but the move toward adaptive, multi-RF devices and intelligent network controllers. Imagine a single piece of industrial equipment with radios for LoRa (for daily health telemetry), Wi-Fi (for high-speed software updates when in the factory), and cellular (for critical alerts). A smart network controller, aware of cost, latency, and power constraints, automatically chooses the best path for each piece of data. The future isn't a battle between standards; it's about building devices and systems smart enough to use them all effectively.
— Filed under Wireless News. Next in Signal Intelligence: A deep dive into software-defined radio (SDR) monitoring of the new regulatory bands and unexpected signals from the ongoing polar logistics operations.