The AI Elephant in the Room at the WBA Wireless Global Congress Americas 2024

I had the privilege of attending the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) 's Wireless Global Congress Americas 2024 in Dallas. This event provided a firsthand look at the state of the industry and the innovative projects and platforms shaping the future of wireless technology. Although the first two days were closed sessions for WBA members, the next two days were open sessions, packed with insightful discussions on various topics.

Tiago Rodrigues ?? , the President and CEO of the WBA, welcomed us and set the stage for the event. The sessions featured presentations from vendors, service providers, and real-world users of wireless technology. A few overarching themes emerged, weaving a common thread through all the presentations. Eric McLaughlin even brought a new Intel powered AI PC!

The current state of our industry is nothing short of fascinating. Artificial Intelligence (AI) looms large over wireless and networking, promising transformative impacts that are yet to be fully realized. While everyone is eager to discuss AI, the conversations often felt grounded, reflecting the industry's nascent stage in leveraging this technology. There were exciting discussions about AI's potential to solve problems and enhance capabilities, but it's clear that significant groundwork is still needed.

One critical foundation is the accessibility of open APIs from all vendors, enabling quick and secure information exchange. Dr. Derek Peterson drove this point home very well. Companies like 思科 , 惠普企业服务 , CommScope , Extreme Networks , Fortinet , and emerging players like Meter and Nile , which own the full stack, have a lower barrier to entry. However, many stakeholders expressed a preference for multi-vendor solutions over single-vendor ecosystems.

Single-vendor solutions do offer distinct advantages, such as the deterministic behavior of network devices highlighted by Matthew MacPherson from 思科 . However, as more devices become open and interoperable through APIs, the necessity for full-stack equipment makers may diminish.

The success of projects like OpenWiFi, now expanding into OpenLAN, illustrates an industry trend towards commoditization. This shift aims to drive down costs for hardware and software while ensuring seamless connectivity, setting the stage for AI to play a transformative role. Jack Raynor showed off an incredible roadmap before leading into the 2nd day's OpenLAN Summit.

It's not just about cost savings though; many industry leaders are keen on optimizing network operations with minimal human intervention, enhancing service quality and user experience.

Discussions also delved into broader societal impacts, such as bridging the digital divide. Greta Byrum had some sage advice on the topic. The WBA's #OpenRoaming project, leveraging Passpoint technology, envisions a future where users can seamlessly roam across 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi networks without re-authentication. This capability could revolutionize connectivity, especially in urban environments, enabling more creative and immersive experiences.

AI's potential to simplify network configuration and management was a recurring theme, showcased by companies like Boingo Wireless , Comcast , Cox Communications , and AT&T . These operators manage complex networks across airports, military bases, hotels, and multi-dwelling units, requiring seamless user transitions between indoor and outdoor environments. GS S. provoked a number of questions asking bold questions, like are AP Vendor Neutral networks in our future.

Beyond Wi-Fi, the discussions touched on 4G, 5G, IoT, Wi-Fi HaLow, Wi-Fi sensing, and other spectrum uses. We heard from Morse Micro VP Prakash Guda about Wi-Fi HaLow and it's impacts in our industry above and beyond traditional Wi-Fi networking.

I posed a question to a panel about the future of AI-driven, self-orchestrating networks: "When AI solves all these connectivity problems, what will you do with your free time?"

The panel's immediate pivot to exploring new wireless technology applications was refreshing.

My Thougths

As someone with decades of experience in the wireless space, I am optimistic about the future. The conversations at the Wireless Global Congress offered a glimpse into a future where AI is fully embraced, transforming our industry in ways we can imagine and in ways yet to be conceived.

The ship of AI-driven networks is closer to shore than many realize, and as operators, service providers, integrators, and users, we must prepare to harness its full potential. The possibilities are boundless, and the journey ahead promises to be both exciting and transformative.