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Enriched Service Over Converged Wi-Fi and Cellular Network
VoWiFi, aka Wi-Fi calling has long been in the DNA on the WBA, with earliest work dating back to 2015. This latest white paper, authored by the GSMA 5G Voice over Wi-Fi Task Force (5GVoWiFi TF) is a result of collaboration amongst a number of TF member companies as well as contributions from the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and Wireless Broadband Association (WBBA).
VoWiFi or Wi-Fi Calling has been deployed by numerous operators worldwide over the past decade. With the advent of the 5G era, there are new requirements emerging for Wi-Fi Calling in 5G:
The White Paper covers the following:
— Why Wi-Fi Calling is needed under diverse scenarios and services,
— Use cases on the ground, at sea and in the air,
— Network architecture for Wi-Fi Calling via 5G Core
— Characteristics of Wi-Fi Calling networks and technologies for performance and security,
— Business models and trials results.
Smart Home & IoT – Operator-Managed Industry Framework
The “Smart Home & IoT: Operator-Managed Industry Framework” by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) envisions the future of smart homes and IoT ecosystems, focusing on interoperability, security, and scalability. This framework builds on the evolution from Smart Home 1.0 and Smart Home 2.0, progressing toward NextGen Smart Homes powered by AI, edge computing, and sustainability, technologies that make homes more intuitive, energy-efficient, and responsive to user needs.
At the core of the framework is the adoption of open standards, with Matter serving as a universal protocol that ensures seamless device integration across manufacturers. This helps reduce fragmentation and creates a more user-friendly, secure, and interoperable ecosystem. Key technologies such as Wi-Fi 6/7, Wi-Fi HaLow, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Thread provide the robust connectivity needed to support smart homes
The framework emphasizes the importance of edge computing, which allows for local data processing to improve privacy, efficiency, and reduce reliance on cloud systems. AI-driven automation and predictive analytics further enhance the smart home experience, enabling smarter homes that are more energy-efficient. Use cases across home automation, connected health, and energy management highlight how IoT is transforming everyday life
Framework Components:
The Smart Home & IoT: Operator-Managed Industry Framework includes two main components:
Visualizing the evolution of Smart Homes as connectivity hubs, improving interoperability between existing and emerging technologies.
Supporting residential service providers with a Managed Wi-Fi reference architecture that incorporates IoT and Matter components, guiding vendors to meet interoperability standards.
This framework serves as an evolving reference implementation for the Smart Home, building upon WBA’s Operator Managed Wi-Fi to offer a roadmap for future developments
Key Updates in Matter 1.4 (November 2024):
The Matter 1.4 (released November 2024) update introduces Enhanced Multi-Admin, enabling smoother integration across platforms like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Alexa, thus improving setup efficiency. It also expands support for energy management devices such as solar panels, batteries, and EV chargers, addressing the growing demand for sustainable smart homes
WBA’s Key Initiatives:
WBA’s ongoing initiatives, like the Wi-Fi HaLow trials and the OpenRoaming for IoT – FIDO Device Onboarding Framework, simplify smart device deployments, ensuring both efficiency and security
Future Directions:
- IoT & Smart Home in Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs): WBA members are working on a proposal for the 2025 roadmap, focusing on MDU centralized management and ensuring technology convergence, interoperability, and viable business cases for service providers
- Operator Managed Wi-Fi: Entering its third phase, the team will focus on compliance and testing to ensure that equipment functions match the advertised specifications.
The IoT & Smart Home Project Team invites industry players to stay engaged with the upcoming work.
Reach out to the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) with this form. Be part of shaping the future of Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi 7 Trial Report for Residential Deployments by CableLabs and Intel
Building on its initial initiatives with the report “Get Ready for Wi-Fi 7: Applying New Capabilities to Key Use Cases,” the WBA highlights the transformative potential of Wi-Fi 7 for industries worldwide. To advance this vision, WBA is conducting Wi-Fi 7 field trials with its participating members to evaluate and validate the key capabilities of Wi-Fi in real-life various deployment scenarios.
As part of this initiative, CableLabs and Intel collaborated on a multi-phase project to test Wi-Fi 7 in residential settings. Phase 1 focused on evaluating the performance and coverage of Wi-Fi 7, assessing its benefits over previous generations. This report presents performance data from testing Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6E in a typical home environment, quantifying the improvements. The findings show that Wi-Fi 7 delivered significant enhancements over Wi-Fi 6, achieving up to 3.5 Gbps TCP throughput.
The project team is continuing Phase 2 of the Wi-Fi 7 trials, further exploring the benefits of MLO with a focus on latency, coverage, and additional throughput improvements. Contact WBA to join the upcoming Wi-Fi 7 trial project today!
6G Vision Statement
Wi-Fi and cellular are the two most adopted wireless broadband technologies in the world, available in billions of devices and used daily by billions of users all around the world. To date, both technologies have been evolving from the standards point of view, on independent paths, resulting in separate technical standards, architectures, and industry ecosystems.
While the cellular standards organizations have made efforts to integrate these systems and positive progress has been made, with converged solutions like Wi-Fi Calling or SIM-based seamless Wi-Fi authentication, broader real-world adoption and implementation have lagged for reasons including the need to harmonize fragmented user experiences, complexity of non-3GPP access methods, costs related to implementation complexity, and the need to learn from previous cellular generations.
WBA’s introductory report on 6G’s potential transformative role titled, “6G – WBA Vision Statement” calls for greater collaboration between all stakeholders if 6G is to deliver on its promise, and details five key vision points for 6G, to achieve ubiquitous connectivity that comprises Wi-Fi, cellular, non-terrestrial networks, IoT LPWANs, and other wireless technologies at its core.
WBA would like to acknowledge the input and support from WBA Members, AT&T, Airties, Boingo Wireless, Boldyn Networks, BT, Charter, Cisco, Comcast, HFCL, Intel, Reliance Jio and Turk Telekom.
Private 5G and Wi-Fi Convergence Report: Phase 2 – Technical Considerations
The Private 5G and Wi-Fi Convergence Report: Phase 2 – Technical Considerations builds on the Phase 1 insights, which identified key use cases and highlighted the essential role of Wi-Fi in optimizing 5G performance. This new report delves into advanced architectural strategies and technical solutions, setting the stage for seamless interworking between Wi-Fi and 5G.
This report marks the next phase in 5G and Wi-Fi integration, offering a practical roadmap for enterprises to maximize performance, efficiency, and cost savings by leveraging both networks. This convergence enables enterprises to benefit from the high-speed, low-latency capabilities of 5G, combined with Wi-Fi’s broad coverage and adaptability for varied use cases and industries.
Key technical solutions include the use of Service Functions—widely deployed features like security, WAN acceleration, and load balancing—to enhance network operations. The report also explores connectivity status sharing across networks for optimized performance, and improved latency by strategically managing user traffic across Wi-Fi and Private 5G.
Looking Ahead to Phase 3
In 2025, Private 5G & Wi-Fi Convergence – Phase 3 will focus on establishing an industry standard for RAN convergence. Key developments will include vector roaming, Access Traffic Steering, Switching, and Splitting (ATSSS), along with enhancements to Quality of Experience (QoE). These advancements aim to create a seamless, unified framework for the future of converged networks.
Reach out to the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) with this form. Be part of shaping the future of Wi-Fi.
Operator Managed Wi-Fi: Reference Architecture and Requirements
Overview of the OMWi Reference Architecture
Introduced by the WBA in 2023, the Operator Managed Wi-Fi (OMWi) reference architecture was developed in collaboration with industry leaders, including major ISPs, open-source communities, and hardware and software vendors, to meet the growing demand for a comprehensive, standardized and interoperable reference for residential Wi-Fi.
Phase 2 Developments: Expanding Scope and Implementation
In 2024, OMWi advanced to Phase 2, expanding its scope with enhanced technical and operational requirements and introducing open-source, OMWi-compliant implementations from partners such as the prpl Foundation,and RDK-B. This updated technical report delivers a comprehensive framework for deploying and managing residential Wi-Fi, addressing global operator needs through the integration of key standards and open-source platforms. It defines a standardized reference architecture that streamlines Wi-Fi management by unifying data collection, network configuration, and optimization processes across systems, reducing dependence on fragmented, proprietary solutions.
The OMWi architecture integrates key industry standards, including Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi EasyMesh™, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Data Elements™, and Broadband Forum’s User Services Platform (USP) Data Models TR-369 and TR-181. These standards collectively ensure that the architecture is scalable and interoperable, guiding operators in engaging with equipment vendors on shared specifications.
Looking Ahead to Phase 3
In Phase 3, expected to begin in 2025, WBA plans to launch a compliance program that will include an expanded telemetry component and an endorsed testing suite. This suite will offer a self-service test kit or authorized lab testing, providing vendors and service providers with an accessible path to OMWi certification. Certified organizations can assure customers of consistent, reliable functionality across OMWi-compliant networks, solidifying OMWi as an industry standard.
Reach out to the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) with this form. Be part of shaping the future of Wi-Fi.
WBA OpenRoaming™ Introduction Guide
OpenRoaming offers a seamless, secure, and automatic Wi-Fi experience akin to cellular roaming. By bridging the gap between Wi-Fi networks worldwide, OpenRoaming simplifies connectivity for users, enhancing user experiences while maintaining robust security standards. This comprehensive guide, provided by the Wireless Broadband Alliance, delves into the technicalities, benefits, and strategic implementation of OpenRoaming to revolutionize public, guest, and enterprise Wi-Fi networks.
Who Should Read This Guide?
This guide is indispensable for network operators, service providers, technology vendors, and enterprise IT professionals who are looking to enhance their Wi-Fi service capabilities and offer a superior user experience.
Wi-Fi Experience for Moving Networks
In today’s connected world, reliable Wi-Fi is essential, even on the go. The “Wi-Fi Experience for Moving Networks” report delves into the critical need to improve Wi-Fi connectivity in dynamic environments such as buses, trains, planes, and ships. These moving networks face unique challenges, from fluctuating connectivity to security concerns, that require tailored solutions.
Key Insights:
- Challenges in Moving Networks: The report identifies key issues such as inconsistent service quality, handover difficulties, security risks, and the complexities of deploying Wi-Fi in moving vehicles.
- Innovative Solutions: It offers practical solutions like implementing advanced standards (Passpoint®), improving network transitions, enhancing security, and ensuring service continuity even during disruptions.
- Practical Use Cases: Detailed use cases demonstrate how to streamline Wi-Fi connectivity, enhance user engagement through landing pages, offer tiered service models, and maintain continuous connectivity throughout a journey.
- Industry Benefits: By adopting these strategies, the Wi-Fi industry can improve passenger experiences, reduce operational costs, increase revenue opportunities, and stay ahead of technological advancements.
The WBA invites industry stakeholders, including infrastructure providers, airlines, train and bus operators, and mobile device manufacturers, to participate in trials aimed at addressing these challenges and exploring next-generation Wi-Fi technologies.
Download the full report now to explore actionable insights and strategies to optimize connectivity in moving networks and drive business success.
For organizations eager to share relevant use cases and learning, we encourage you to reach out to the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) with this form. Be part of shaping the future of Wi-Fi.
WBA Access Network Metrics – Phase 1
The WBA Access Network Metrics Working Group is dedicated to crafting a framework that effectively communicates the Quality of Experience (QoE) of Wi-Fi access networks to stakeholders. This encompasses mobile operators using commercial cellular offload, participants in roaming consortiums like WBA OpenRoaming™, users of settlement-free Passpoint services, and enterprises that need reliable connections to third-party Wi-Fi networks.
This ‘Access Network Metrics’ report initiates the first phase, assessing the need for access network metrics and proposing methods essential for capturing data to evaluate networks, leveraging key indicators to quantify network performance.
The paper emphasizes the need for clear QoE evidence and identifies use cases that enhance the experience for both users and providers. It outlines crucial metrics and provides a roadmap for advancing this initiative with the necessary calculations and data communication methods. The report delves into standard Wi-Fi metrics and offers advice on how Wi-Fi devices can leverage detailed QoE metrics for smarter roaming choices, thus improving both user satisfaction and provider performance. It addresses the challenges present in current Wi-Fi networks, reaffirms the value of explicit QoE evidence, and demonstrates the advantages for users and providers. The research specifies essential metrics and introduces a framework for assessing and sharing Wi-Fi network quality, aiming to foster a more dependable and efficient Wi-Fi future.
The working group is now embarking on Phase 2, focusing on industry alignment regarding how applications become aware of network QoS. Notably, 3GPP has introduced a Network Exposure Function (NEF) that allows an application function to receive notifications about analytics related to user data congestion, network performance, QoS sustainability, and service experience. Phase 2 will explore the potential reuse and/or adaptation of 3GPP NEF-based approaches to support the Wi-Fi use cases identified.
Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT Field Trials Report
Building on the successful real-world applications of Phase 1 of the Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT project across multiple sectors, which demonstrated deployed IEEE 802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow ability to provide reliable, long-range, low-power connectivity, making it an ideal solution for a variety of IoT scenarios.
The “Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT: Field Trials Report” demonstrated the effectiveness of IEEE 802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow, which provides reliable, long-range, and low-power connectivity across diverse IoT scenarios. Notably, the trials were conducted in the United States, showcasing the technology’s scalability and efficiency in dense urban areas and large industrial settings.
This comprehensive report details significant enhancements in range, material penetration, battery life, device density, security, installation, management, and data throughput compared to existing Wi-Fi standards. Application use cases tested include Smart Home, Warehousing, Smart Farm, Smart City, Smart Office Building, Smart School Campus, and Smart Industrial Complex, focusing on large-scale implementations and the challenges posed by different environments.
The WBA now invites industry players from EMEA and APAC to engage in the upcoming Phase 3 trials, aiming to further explore and expand the capabilities of Wi-Fi HaLow technology in diverse environments and applications.
For organizations eager to share relevant use cases and learning, we encourage you to reach out to the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) with this form. Be part of shaping the future of Wi-Fi.
