Charter outlines and promotes Wi-Fi as the key to connecting the unconnected

Singapore – February 17, 2016 – The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) today announced the launch of its HOPE for Connectivity charter, a document which will define the focus of the first ever World Wi-Fi Day. The WBA has also revealed an initial group of 40 supporters, from the industry and from cities around the world, who are endorsing World Wi-Fi Day. The initiative, taking place on 20th June, will provide a global platform for recognizing and celebrating the significant role Wi-Fi is playing in connecting the unconnected.

The HOPE for Connectivity charter directs the attention of cities, government bodies, fixed and mobile operators, technology vendors and Internet giants towards the critical influence and success of wireless connectivity in bridging the digital divide. It calls on governments, the industry and the public to recognize and celebrate the important role of Wi-Fi in socioeconomic development and to advance and accelerate affordable connectivity for the unconnected around the world.

The HOPE for Connectivity charter draws attention to four key themes rooted in the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s vision for World Wi-Fi Day:

  • Help: to fund Wi-Fi deployments that will connect unconnected communities around the world
  • Offer: more affordable Wi-Fi access to the unconnected communities in both rural and urban areas
  • Promote: the success of Wi-Fi in connecting cities and communities
  • Engage: and recognize the role of Wi-Fi in addressing the digital divide

The charter document also outlines a diverse set of activities that supporters can participate in, each aligning with the four key themes of World Wi-Fi Day, based on their areas of interest and focus. These activities will offer an excellent opportunity for stakeholders to support World Wi-Fi Day, and includes: sharing videos, case studies and data findings on the impacts of Wi-Fi; announcing projects related to connecting the unconnected or creating a better world with better connectivity with Wi-Fi; providing more affordable or free Wi-Fi access to the public; supporting Wi-Fi deployments to unconnected communities with financial funds, networks, end-user equipment, internet access or any other services. The WBA has been receiving, and is open to, creative or new ideas from supporters that recognize and celebrate the important role of Wi-Fi in bridging the digital divide.

The WBA’s World Wi-Fi Day and HOPE for Connectivity charter has already received support from 40 of the industry’s biggest names and cities, including AT&T, Boingo Wireless, BT, China Telecom, Cisco, Fon, Google, NTT DOCOMO, Nokia, Intel, KT, Liberty Global, Orange, Ruckus, Tata Teleservices and the Wi-Fi Alliance, as well as cities such as Calgary, Dublin, New Delhi, New York City, San Francisco, San Jose and Singapore.

“I am thrilled to see momentum continuing to build for World Wi-Fi Day, with some of the biggest names in the industry lending their support. World Wi-Fi Day is a call to action for all stakeholders, those in industry and government, to advance and accelerate access to affordable wireless connectivity around the world. It is a day to recognize the important role that Wi-Fi plays in connecting cities and communities, and we urge all that have a vested interest to do more to provide connectivity everywhere. We have a unique opportunity to make a difference in millions of lives around the globe.” said JR Wilson, Chairman of the Wireless Broadband Alliance.

“The digital divide is growing, and not just in developing countries – there is also an increase in the under-served ‘urban unconnected’ in the world’s largest economies. We are delighted that some of the biggest influencers within the industry ecosystem are participating and supporting World Wi-Fi Day – their support demonstrates just how important it is to address this critical issue. We encourage all stakeholders to actively participate and commit to deliver connectivity and access to information for all,” said Reza Jafari, Board Advisor of WBA & Vice Chair of the Connected City Advisory Board.

World Wi-Fi Day will celebrate the significant role that wireless connectivity plays in bridging the worldwide digital divide. The Wireless Broadband Alliance urges and invites the industry to participate in World Wi-Fi Day. If you would like to get involved, or support and fund projects to connect the unconnected, please email contactus@wballiance.com

The full list of supporting organizations is:
AT&T, Accuris Networks, AlwaysOn, Aruba Networks, Boingo Wireless, BSG Wireless, BT, China Telecom, Cisco Systems, Fon, Front Porch, Google, Intel, iPass, KT, Liberty Global, Meteor Network, Nokia Solution Networks, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, Purple WiFi, RailTel, Ruckus Wireless, Spark New Zealand, Tata Teleservices and Veniam.

Cities of Calgary, New Delhi, Dublin, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, San José, Singapore, the Government of Malaysia, and the States of Karnataka and Telangana (India).

Supporting organizations are Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI) and Wi-Fi Alliance.

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About Wireless Broadband Alliance
Founded in 2003, the mission of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) is to champion the development of the converged wireless broadband ecosystem through seamless, secure and interoperable unlicensed wireless broadband services for delivering outstanding user experience. Building on our heritage of NGH and carrier Wi-Fi, WBA will continue to drive and support the adoption of Next Gen Wi-Fi and other unlicensed wireless services across the entire public Wi-Fi ecosystem, including IoT, Big Data, Converged Services, Smart Cities, 5G, etc. Today, membership includes major fixed operators such as BT, Comcast and Time Warner Cable; seven of the top 10 mobile operator groups (by revenue) and leading technology companies such as Cisco, Microsoft, Huawei Technologies, Google and Intel. WBA member operators collectively serve more than 2 billion subscribers and operate more than 25 million hotspots globally.

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