PODCAST: Broadcom facilitates the self-driving campus Wi-Fi network environment

It’s clear that the campus Wi-Fi environment is evolving toward AI-driven operations, mandatory Wi-Fi 6E/7 upgrades, and high-density coverage to support the growth of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and IoT-enabled environments. Industry watchers note that the rapid adoption of Wi-Fi 6E and 7 is crucial to handle increased capacity, lower latency, and higher speeds required by video conferencing and high-density environments. Looking ahead, Dell’Oro noted that Wi-Fi 7 adoption and the introduction of Wi-Fi 8 APs will continue to fuel demand for multi-gig ports.

In response to these trends, Broadcom recently released its Wi-Fi 8 access point (AP) and switch solution, purpose-built with a unified architecture for AI-ready enterprise networks. Building on its 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. Also, Broadcom unveiled an enterprise-grade switch platform powered by a new Ethernet switch, the Trident X3+ BCM56390, with Broadcom’s multigigabit PHY and PoE power sourcing equipment (PSE) chips. The company says these platforms form a unified architecture that maximizes the performance, efficiency and security for the Wi-Fi 8 wireless network in the enterprise.

In this latest Broadband Pulse podcast, we talked to two key members of Broadcom’s Wi-Fi team making efforts to advance enterprise Wi-Fi:

Mike Powell, director of product Management, wireless broadband communications at Broadcom

And

Ashok Rahman, principal product line manager for Broadcom's core switching group

Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments:

Opening | 0:00

Host introduction of guests | 0:03

Wi-Fi campus evolution | 0:49
Powell and Rahman discuss how hybrid work environments and new security threats are changing the enterprise Wi-Fi landscape.

Wi-Fi 8’s emergence | 3:34
The Wi-Fi 8 standard includes built-in capabilities to track, react to, and monitor latency.

Broadcom's new enterprise-grade Wi-Fi AP platform | 5:27
The new platform integrates enterprise AI and AI core processors.

Self-driving enterprise Wi-Fi networks | 6:45
Powell explores how Broadcom’s platform can help enterprise Wi-Fi platforms self-diagnose problems.

A unified architecture | 8:47
Rahman discusses why it was important to deploy the access point (AP) and the switch platforms together.  

Vertical segment targets | 12:15
Broadcom’s platforms could be a strong fit for data-intensive environments, including the public sector, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Campus Wi-Fi telemetry capabilities | 14:58
How the platform could provide visibility across large enterprise campus environments.

IEEE 1588 precision time protocol’s role | 15:34
How the 1588 protocol for time stamping, latency and jitter requirements has been adapted for Wi-Fi environments.   

Final thoughts/closing | 19:46
Powell and Rahman provide the Broadband Pulse with their final thoughts about the state of the campus Wi-Fi market.

About our guests

Mike Powell, director of product Management, wireless broadband communications at Broadcom
As Director of Marketing and Product Management within Broadcom’s wireless broadband communications unit, he sets the strategic goals, organizational vision, and roadmap for software and silicon platforms with a solid focus on customer relationships and business growth. Powell has contributed to the development of Wi-Fi 8, which is positioned as a foundation for secure, intelligent enterprise AI edge networks. He has been involved in developing Broadcom’s NitroQAM modulation technology and has worked closely with industry standards regarding Wi-Fi Wave 2 certification. Powell joined Broadcom through Broadcom’s acquisition of LVL7 Systems in early 2006. Earlier, Powell served as Large Enterprise Direct Account Manager at IBM.

And

Ashok Rahman, principal product line manager for Broadcom's core switching group

About the Podcast 
In the Lightwave Broadband Pulse podcast, we address key issues affecting the optical and broadband industries. Join us every week for insights from industry leaders on these topics. Visit our website at www.lightwave.com and click on our podcast site at broadbandpulse.podbean.com/.