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Get Ready for Wi-Fi 7- Applying New Capabilities to the Key Use Cases
- Double the bandwidth and three times the speed of Wi-Fi 6
- Advanced support for latency-sensitive use cases
Operator Managed Wi-Fi Reference Architecture and Requirements
With the increasing prevalence of Wi-Fi as the primary method of internet connectivity, the term “Wi-Fi” has become synonymous with the internet itself. Consequently, users perceive their internet quality of experience (QoE) as synonymous with Wi-Fi QoE. Users no longer differentiate between Wi-Fi service and internet service, expecting their Wi-Fi issues to be resolved by their internet service provider (ISP). This shift has turned Wi-Fi into a managed service, specifically managed by the operator, hence the term “operator-managed.”
This is WBA’s first document on operator-managed Wi-Fi, and it is anticipated that later phases of work will expand the scope of the requirements hereby defined.
The technical paper, “Operator Managed Wi-Fi: Reference Architecture and Requirements” outlines a new operator-managed Wi-Fi (OMWi) reference architecture. The proposed framework will combine multiple available standards to streamline Wi-Fi data collection, Wi-Fi management, configuration, and optimization of home networks, simplifying the analysis and decision-making process for carriers.
This paper represents the first phase of that journey, presenting an operator-managed Wi-Fi reference architecture that combines the benefits of all available standards, including Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) Wi-Fi EasyMesh™, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Data Elements™, and Broadband Forum (BBF) User Services Platform (USP) Data Models TR-369 and TR-181. Wi-Fi Alliance EasyMesh™, for instance, can be utilized as the standard interface for Wi-Fi data collection, Wi-Fi management, configuration, and optimization on home networks with a standalone gateway.
Register now for the upcoming webinar on 6th June, 2023 “Optimizing Wi-Fi Experience with Operator-Managed Networks.”
Private 5G And Wi-Fi Convergence – Key Use Cases And Requirements
The paper outlines four possible deployment models for bringing 5G into enterprise networks, as well as the key considerations for choosing each one, such as the nature of the application, latency in the core and RAN interfaces, and the location and manageability of services. The four models are as follows:
- On-premises core network and application services – Data sovereignty, site resiliency, and application latency requirements are ensured by keeping all traffic on-prem. Access to conventional enterprise cloud-based applications is enabled, subject to normal limitations around resiliency and latency.
- On-Premises user plane and application services – The paper outlines several reasons to move the control plane to the cloud, such as the need for control plane aggregation in a multi-site 5G core network deployment. All other 5G elements and the application services are on-premises, except the 5G control plane elements.
- Cloud-based core network and application services – User plane traffic from 5G devices will always have to enter the cloud. In such deployment models, it may be possible to move the 5G core network and user plane elements to the cloud where the applications services are located.
- The hybrid model – There are some application services in the cloud, and some are on-prem. To support such a model, there can be two different Data Network Names (DNN’s), one for supporting applications that are on-premises and another for supporting applications in the cloud.
Rural Wi-Fi Connectivity
Wi-Fi is Essential to Bridge the Digital Divide in Rural Areas
In this Rural Wi-Fi Connectivity: Challenges, Use Cases and Case Studies, it sets out how mobile operators, fiber providers & cable companies should be using Wi-Fi to serve the 1 billion consumers & businesses where copper, fiber & cellular struggle technologically and economically.
This report also demonstrates why Wi-Fi is the most economical and effective technology for bridging the digital divide in small towns, remote communities and other sparsely populated areas, utilising the best available backhaul solution.
We discuss the critical factors applicable to Wi-Fi networks in rural areas including:
- Broadband deployment challenges
- Relevant use cases
- Best practices in the ecosystem
- Importance of an unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi to connect the unconnected
- Real-world case studies, and
- Business models from different regions
Profiles and RCOI Prioritization – Improving Passpoint Network Selection
With the expansion of Passpoint networks and WBA OpenRoaming™, the landscape of identity providers is undergoing a paradigm shift.
Wi-Fi roaming based on Wi-Fi Alliance CERTIFIED Passpoint® and IEEE specifications is experiencing rapid growth. While these standards and certifications ensure interoperability in the Wi-Fi ecosystem, many implementation details are left to Wi-Fi equipment, device vendors and network providers.
As Passpoint adoption expands, users will frequently subscribe to multiple Passpoint identity providers, and many venues will advertise multiple Passpoint services. In these scenarios, different players in the ecosystem – including network providers, identity providers, OS and device vendors and the end-user of the device – may have different requirements for the prioritization of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) in the venue and Passpoint subscriptions on the device.
This whitepaper identifies common use cases and recommendations on the best practices for the ecosystem. The paper also provides guidance to implementers using Passpoint technology.
In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity
“In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity: Improving Passenger Experience, Engagement and Uptake,” explores how airlines, service providers and other stakeholders can make it faster and easier for travellers to get and stay connected.
Wi-Fi Device Identification – A Way Through MAC Randomization
Until now, many Wi-Fi networks have relied on the original permanence of device MAC addresses to facilitate access to or management of the network.
Without a new way to identify devices on Wi-Fi networks, the networks will cease to be as manageable and/or as functional as they were. This will have customer experience impacts as well as financial ones.
Wi-Fi 6/6E for Industrial IoT
This whitepaper examines Industrial IoT encompasses solutions that employed by multiple industries to understand and improve their economic value by connecting machines, materials, people, processes, products, and services to improve visibility and understanding, increase quality and efficiency and create greater value for their respective customers.
Wi-Fi Sensing Deployment Guidelines
WBA’s Wi-Fi Sensing Program has launched an expanded version of its previously-released Wi-Fi Sensing Whitepaper and Wi-Fi Sensing Test Methodology which provides an overview of Wi-Fi Sensing technology, classifying use cases and requirements and identifying the gaps in Wi-Fi standards.
This Wi-Fi Sensing Deployment Guideline provides knowledge of Wi-Fi Sensing performance linked together with how it can be deployed in a home environment, identify the benefits to incorporating Wi-Fi Sensing, relevant communication guidelines, and some constraints faced by Sensing. This document focuses on residential applications in single-family homes and multi-dwelling units.
In-Home Wi-Fi Multi-AP Solutions Trial Report
In-Home Wi-Fi is becoming an essential proposition to meet the high expectations of customers – namely, that Wi-Fi will be easy to set up and operate even if they have no knowledge or understanding of the technology.
With more wirelessly-connected devices in use than ever before, home network security has become increasingly important. Homeowners need to make sure their home Wi-Fi network’s security is up to the required standard in reasonable speed and coverage to ensure the smoothness and productivity for work-from-home and online education. In addition, with the advent of widespread video streaming and video conferencing, the demand for bandwidth within the home has increased significantly which required multi-access point. However, multi-AP systems are quite different in this respect from simply plugging in a single AP and using default configuration. So, how we can make it easier for the customers and keep them happy?
To help operators and other providers of in-home Wi-Fi understand the advantages and differences of multi-AP systems, this In-Home Wi-Fi Multi-AP Solutions Trial Final Report provides testing and analysis of all the Multi-AP features and capabilities and defines a set of performance metrics and subsequent test plans which have been collected from live use cases conducted in a real operating environment.
WBA’s In-Home Wi-Fi Program has launched an expanded version of its previously-released In-Home Wi-Fi Industry Guidelines, providing a clear guide on the best practices and standards to create the ultimate in-home Wi-Fi experience for consumers. It provides a comprehensive analysis on in-home Wi-Fi multi-AP solutions, trials and use cases.
This report is brought to you by WBA Next Gen Work Group – In-Home Wi-Fi Project Team.
