ASUS Launches World's First Wi-Fi 8 Router in Canada Ahead of Global Rollout

Key points

• ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BN98 Pro and standard models are now available in Canadian retail stores.
• The router offers quad-band Wi-Fi 8 support with theoretical throughput up to 30 Gbps.
• Hardware includes two 10 Gbps and four 2.5 Gbps LAN ports for wired connectivity.
• ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 mesh system launches in October, supporting up to 7,000 square feet of coverage.
• The IEEE 802.11bn standard is not expected to be ratified until May 2028.

Background

ASUS previously teased the GT-BN98 at Computex in June 2026. The company has a history of releasing hardware based on draft standards, similar to its early Wi-Fi 7 offerings. The ZenWiFi BN12 is designed to integrate with existing ASUS AiMesh setups.

How outlets are covering it

TechPowerUp highlights the immediate Canadian availability and the $1,299.99 CAD price point, noting that US launch details are pending. Notebookcheck emphasizes the high cost, equating the price to a high-end GPU, and points out that the standard is not yet ratified, meaning firmware updates will likely be required for years. Both sources agree that the router offers benefits to existing Wi-Fi 7 devices, but Notebookcheck stresses the risk of buying pre-standard hardware.

Why it matters

This launch signals the commercialization of Wi-Fi 8 before the official standard is finalized, setting a precedent for early adoption in consumer networking. It also highlights the premium pricing associated with next-generation hardware and the potential for firmware updates to adapt to future standard changes.

What to watch

ASUS plans a worldwide release in October 2026, including the ZenWiFi BN12 mesh system. The IEEE is expected to ratify the Wi-Fi 8 standard in May 2028, which may lead to further hardware revisions or firmware updates.