ASUS Announces WiFi 8 Router Availability in Canada Ahead of Worldwide October Release
ASUS is rolling out its next-generation WiFi 8 routers starting in Canada, with a global launch scheduled for October. The ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series marks the first quad-band WiFi 8 router available at retail, while the ZenWiFi BN12 will become the world's first WiFi 8 mesh ecosystem designed for demanding, connected homes.
A sleek black and red ASUS gaming router with multiple antennas, glowing purple energy rings, and bold text promoting next-gen gaming.
ASUS announced immediate Canadian retail availability of the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series, the world's only quad-band WiFi 8 router currently available to buy from retail stores. The series is scheduled for worldwide release in October, with US launch details to follow. Also launching in October is the ASUS ZenWiFi BN12, a first-to-market dedicated WiFi 8 mesh ecosystem designed for high-capacity homes and connected households.
Built on the WiFi 8 architectural framework, the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series delivers measurable performance gains when paired with existing WiFi 7 client devices, helping users improve network performance before WiFi 8 devices become widely available.
Simulations indicate that WiFi 8 features such as UEQM (Unequal Modulation) and NPCA (Non-Primary Channel Access) can improve connection stability and reduce the impact of interference as compatible client devices arrive. The result is a network platform designed to adapt to real-world congestion and support evolving connected-home demands.
Flagship hardware
The ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series features two models: the GT-BN98 Pro (BN30000) and the GT-BN98 (BN25000), both with quad-band WiFi 8 designs delivering total wireless throughput of up to 30,000 Mbps. A 2.6GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM support demanding networking workloads, while two 10Gbps ports and four 2.5Gbps LAN ports provide flexible multi-gigabit wired connectivity.
Specification
GT-BN98 Pro (BN30000)
GT-BN98 (BN25000)
WiFi Type
Quad-band WiFi 8
Quad-band WiFi 8
Total Wireless Throughput
Up to 30,000 Mbps
Up to 30,000 Mbps
Processor
2.6GHz quad-core
2.6GHz quad-core
RAM
2GB
2GB
10Gbps Ports
2
2
2.5Gbps LAN Ports
4
4
Antenna Architecture
16-antenna (8 external)
16-antenna (8 external)
The router combines a 16-antenna architecture into eight high-performance external antennas through a 3D structural design. An advanced thermal infrastructure supports sustained performance, capacity, and coverage across the network.
First-to-market WiFi 8 mesh ecosystem
The ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 will be the world's first 12-stream tri-band WiFi 8 mesh system, scheduled for consumer availability in October, with US availability to be announced shortly. Its 2x LDPC wall-penetration technology supports coverage of up to 7,000 square feet, while dual 10Gbps ports enable high-speed wired backhaul between nodes.
Specification
ZenWiFi BN12
WiFi Type
12-stream tri-band WiFi 8
Coverage
Up to 7,000 square feet
10Gbps Ports
Dual
The ZenWiFi BN12 includes subscription-free ASUS AiProtection Pro and customizable Parental Controls to support network security and screen-time management without recurring fees. ASUS AiMesh interoperability enables integration with compatible existing ASUS setups.
Global rollout
The ASUS WiFi 8 ecosystem is engineered for worldwide operation, with regional regulatory compliance, frequency optimization, and a global supply chain supporting the rollout. Localization-ready software and global customer support are designed to help users access validated, store-ready hardware across major markets.
