WBA Membership structure allows operators and industry players to participate to their desired level of involvement. Membership is offered as per the bylaws of WBA and each category has its associated benefits and privileges. The four levels are:
- Board Member
- Principal Member (For Operator and Non-Operator)
- Contributor Member
- Implementer Member
- Industry Partner Member
Board Member
Board Members are General Members of the Company who are classified as Board Members and are able to participate in the WBA Board after getting duly elected based on the provisions of the Articles & Rules of the Alliance (WBA).
Principal Member (For Operator and Non-Operator)
Principal Member (Operator): Must be a telecom operator able to bring additional wireless broadband coverage or users to WBA Members, have the ability to enter into or facilitate bilateral contracts, and must be able to support WBA user experience requirements for roaming implementation.
Principal Member (Non- Operator): Must be an industry player with interest in the growth of wireless broadband business and must be willing to support WBA’s objectives.
Contributor Member
Must be an industry player with interest in the activities of the Alliance and must be willing to support WBA’s objectives. Open to any organization with annual revenue below US$50M.
Implementer Member
Must be an Industry Player with interests in implementing OpenRoaming™ and have access to end users or hotspots.
Industry Partner Member
Must be a non-ICT organization with interest in WBA activities and programs.
Operators with Wi-Fi Networks
Operators who own public Wi-Fi networks – whether as a standalone business or as a key complement to their wireless and/or broadband networks – can harness the advantages of the WBA. It is an ideal forum to enhance their global coverage and inbound/ outbound roaming opportunities for their users. Besides providing technical enablement and templates for the operators, WBA has developed common user-experience guidelines to make it easier for the end-users to locate, identify and connect to hotspots while roaming. The operators can also leverage the 1-on-1 meetings facilitated by WBA during every WBA Wireless Global Congress to meet, discuss and finalize roaming agreements with other partners from around the world.
Operators without Wi-Fi Networks
The mobile and/or broadband operators (5G, UMTS, CDMA, WiMAX, Cable, xDSL etc) who may not own any hotspots can also leverage the enablers created by WBA and the global Wi-Fi footprint of its members to offer Wi-Fi roaming and mobile data offload to their users. This can help mobile operators address the challenges and opportunities created by an explosive growth in mobile data usage and the increasing availability of dual-mode 5G/Wi-Fi devices.
Other Ecosystem Partners
The non-operator ecosystem partners – technology vendors, roaming hub vendors / clearing house providers, and other ecosystem partners interested in enabling seamless roaming Wi-Fi experience and data offload – can also benefit by participating in WBA. As a member of WBA, you will have a chance to engage and network with leading Wi-Fi operators from around the world. See full list of WBA Members here >>
The members of WBA also have an opportunity to influence and contribute to the development of technical enablers and participate in industry trials conducted by WBA.
WBA undertakes programs and activities to address business and technical issues, as well as opportunities, for member companies in order to enable collaboration among service providers, technology companies, cities, venue partners and organizations. Our key programs include 5G, NextGen Wi-Fi, IoT, Testing & Interoperability and Roaming, with member-led Work Groups dedicated to resolving standards and technical issues to promote end-to-end services and accelerate business opportunities.
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WBA holds multiple events throughout the year. Our landmark event involves two iterations of the Wireless Global Congress (typically in a European and American city), gathering some of the top names in the industry with WBA members and other attendees from the Wi-Fi ecosystem. In addition to this, there are other trade and social events during the year, in addition to one-on-one meetings between members.
