· First-to-market WiFi 8 router: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BN98 will make its global debut in Australia and New Zealand from early October — the first market in the world to get it — priced at AU$1,999 RRP / NZ$2,399 RRP
· Flagship hardware: Quad-band design, up to 25,000 Mbps total throughput, a 2.6 GHz quad-core processor, and 2GB RAM
· First-to-market WiFi 8 mesh: ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 launches in early 2027 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 Australia and New Zealand as the first market globally to launch in October, ahead of further rollout through early 2027
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BN98 will launch in Australia and New Zealand from early October, making ANZ one of the first regions worldwide to experience WiFi 8. The ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 will follow in early 2027.
Sydney, Australia, September 10, 2026 — ASUS demonstrated its lead in the next-gen networking era with the announcement that the ROG Rapture GT-BN98, the world's first quad-band WiFi 8 router, will make its global debut in Australia and New Zealand from early October — ahead of many other markets in the world — priced at AU$1,999 RRP and NZ$2,399 RRP respectively. Further international availability, including the US, will follow soon. Also launching in early 2027 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: Introducing the first-to-market WiFi 8 router
Built on the WiFi 8 architectural framework, the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 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 (BN25000) features a quad-band WiFi 8 design that delivers total wireless throughput of up to 25,000 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.
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 early 2027, with exact market dates 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.
ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 also includes subscription-free ASUS AiProtection Pro and customisable 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 optimisation, and a global supply chain supporting the rollout. Localisation-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.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BN98 (BN25000) will be available in Australia and New Zealand from early October — making ANZ one the first markets in the world to receive it — at AU$1,999 RRP and NZ$2,399 RRP respectively. The ASUS ZenWiFi BN12 is scheduled for availability in Australia and New Zealand in early 2027, with exact dates and pricing to be announced. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
NOTES TO EDITORS
ROG Rapture GT-BN98 product page: https://rog.asus.com/au/networking/rog-rapture-gt-bn98/
WiFi 8 landing page: https://www.asus.com/au/content/what-is-wifi8/
ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com
ASUS Global Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asus
ASUS Global X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus
Contact details:
