Wi-fi connectivity and 5G are reworking the way in which we stay and work, however what does it take to combine these applied sciences? I spoke to Bruno Tomas, CTO of the Wi-fi Broadband Alliance (WBA), to get his insights on convergence, collaboration, and the street forward.
Q: Bruno, may you begin by sharing a bit about your background and your position on the WBA?
Bruno: Completely. I’m an engineer by coaching, with levels in electrical and pc engineering, in addition to a grasp’s in telecom techniques. I began my profession with Portugal Telecom and later labored in Brazil, specializing in community requirements. About 12 years in the past, I joined the WBA, and my position has been centered on constructing the requirements for seamless interoperability and convergence between Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE, and now 5G. On the WBA, we deliver collectively distributors, operators, and integrators to create technical specs and tips that drive innovation and usefulness in wi-fi networks.
Q: What are the important thing challenges in attaining seamless integration between wi-fi applied sciences and 5G?
Bruno: One of many largest challenges is making certain that our work interprets into real-world use instances—significantly in enterprise and public environments. For instance, in manufacturing or warehousing, the place steel buildings and interference can disrupt connectivity, we want sturdy options for starters. On the WBA, we’ve labored with companions from the seller, chipset and system communities, in addition to integrators, to handle these challenges by constructing field-tested tips. On high of that comes innovation. For example, our OpenRoaming ideas assist allow seamless transitions between networks, together with IoT, decreasing the complexity for IT managers and CIOs.
Q: May you clarify how WBA’s “Tiger Groups” contribute to those options?
Bruno: Tiger Groups are specialised working teams inside our alliance. They carry collectively technical specialists from firms reminiscent of AT&T, Intel, Broadcom, and AirTies to unravel particular challenges collaboratively. For example, in our 5G & Wi-Fi convergence group, members outline necessities and eventualities for industries like aerospace or healthcare. By doing this, we be sure that our suggestions are sensible and field-ready. This collaborative method helps drive innovation whereas addressing real-world challenges.
Q: You talked about OpenRoaming earlier. How does that assist companies and shoppers?
Bruno: OpenRoaming simplifies connectivity by permitting customers to seamlessly transfer between Wi-Fi and mobile networks without having guide logins or configurations. Think about a hospital the place medical doctors transfer between totally different buildings whereas utilizing tablets for affected person care, supported by an enhanced safety layer. With OpenRoaming, they’ll keep linked with out interruptions. Equally, for enterprises, it minimizes the necessity for in depth IT help and reduces prices whereas making certain high-quality service.
Q: What’s the present state of adoption for applied sciences like 5G and Wi-Fi 6?
Bruno: Adoption is rising quickly, however it’s uneven throughout areas. Wi-Fi 6 has been a game-changer, providing higher modulation and spectrum administration, which makes it splendid for high-density environments like factories or stadiums. On the 5G facet, personal networks have been introduced, particularly in industries like manufacturing, however the integration with present techniques stays a hurdle. In Europe, regulatory and infrastructural challenges gradual issues down, whereas the U.S. and APAC areas are shifting quicker.
Q: What position do you see AI taking part in in wi-fi and 5G convergence?
Bruno: AI is crucial for optimizing community efficiency and making real-time selections. On the WBA, we’ve launched initiatives to include AI into wi-fi networking, serving to techniques predict and adapt to person wants. For example, AI can information community steering—deciding whether or not a tool ought to keep on Wi-Fi or change to 5G primarily based on sign high quality and utilization patterns. This type of automation can be important as networks change into extra complicated.
Q: Wanting forward, what excites you most about the way forward for wi-fi and 5G?
Bruno: The potential for convergence to allow new use instances is extremely thrilling. Whether or not it’s sensible cities, superior manufacturing, or immersive experiences with AR and VR, the alternatives are limitless. Wi-Fi 7, will deliver even better capability and protection, making it potential to ship gigabit speeds in dense environments like stadiums or city facilities. Conversely, we’re beginning to look into 6G. One development is evident: Wi-Fi ought to be built-in inside a 6G framework, enabling densification. On the WBA, we’re dedicated to making sure these developments are accessible, interoperable, and sustainable.
Thanks, Bruno!
N.B. The WBA Business Report 2025 has now been launched and is out there for obtain. Please click on right here for additional data.
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