ASUS Announces WiFi 8 Router Availability in Canada Ahead of Worldwide October Release

ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series is available now in Canada, with the ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 and worldwide ASUS WiFi 8 availability arriving in October

• First-to-market WiFi 8 router: ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series is available in retail stores today in Canada, ahead of wider availability in October
• Flagship hardware: Two configurations, quad-band design, up to 30,000 Mbps total throughput, a 2.6 GHz quad-core processor, and 2GB RAM
• First-to-market WiFi 8 mesh: ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 launches in October with 12 streams, coverage up to 7,000 sq. ft., and dual 10Gbps ports
• Global rollout: ASUS WiFi 8 routers and mesh systems are engineered for worldwide operation, with global distribution starting in October

TAIPEI, Taiwan, September 4, 2026 — ASUS today demonstrated its lead in the next-gen networking era with the announcement of the immediate Canadian retail availability of the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series[i], which includes the world's only quad-band WiFi 8 router currently available to buy from retail stores. The ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series is scheduled for worldwide release in October, with details for the US launch to follow shortly. Also launching in October is the ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 WiFi 8 router — a first-to-market dedicated WiFi 8 Mesh ecosystem designed for high-capacity homes and connected households.

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series: Introducing the first-to-market WiFi 8 router

Built on the WiFi 8 architectural framework, the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series brings the benefits of next-generation networking to current and future client devices. ROG engineer testing indicates that the router can deliver measurable performance gains when paired with existing WiFi 7 client devices, helping users improve network performance before WiFi 8 devices become widely available.

Simulations also indicate that WiFi 8 features such as UEQM (Unequal Modulation) and NPCA (Non-Primary Channel Access) can help improve connection stability and reduce the impact of interference respectively 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

Cementing ROG's technical dominance, the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 series features two models, the GT-BN98 Pro (BN30000) and the GT-BN98 (BN25000), with quad-band WiFi 8 designs that deliver total wireless throughput of up to 30,000 Mbps[ii]. 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.

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

Designed for large homes and connected households, the ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 will be the world's first 12-stream tri-band WiFi 8 Mesh system. It is scheduled for consumer availability in October, and US availability will 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.

ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 also includes subscription-free ASUS AiProtection Pro and customizable Parental Controls. These features help support network security and screen-time management without recurring fees. ASUS AiMesh interoperability also 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.

The ASUS WiFi 8 lineup is designed to give users a path to upgrade through a router and mesh ecosystem that works across current and future network environments.