Wi-Fi

WBA issues Wi-Fi predictions for 2025

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), the global industry body dedicated to driving the seamless and interoperable service experience of Wi-Fi across the global wireless ecosystem, has shared 10 predictions for Wi-Fi in 2025 - laid out by its President and CEO, Tiago Rodrigues. Detailed in full in the WBA Annual Industry Report 2025, these trends reflect how Wi-Fi is evolving to meet the demands of increased connectivity, higher speeds, better security, the growing number of devices connected to the internet, and a greater focus on energy efficiency. Tiago Rodrigues, President and CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, says, “The Wi-Fi industry has reached a pivotal moment. As demand for improved Wi-Fi user experience with seamless, secure, and high-performance connectivity continues to surge across homes, enterprises and cities, collaboration within our ecosystem is more critical than ever. At the WBA, we are committed to driving innovation, interoperability, and standards that empower the Wi-Fi and broadband connectivity industry to meet the needs of today while laying the foundation for tomorrow’s connected world.” Wi-Fi Predictions for 2025 and Beyond: 1. Wi-Fi 7 adoption   Early adopters of Wi-Fi 7 will include technology-driven industries, smart home enthusiasts, and enterprises needing high-density, high-speed connectivity. Large tech companies and advanced enterprises will be among the first to implement Wi-Fi 7 in their office infrastructures to support increased demands from remote collaboration tools, IoT sensors, and high-definition video conferencing. Smart cities will also lead the charge, adopting Wi-Fi 7 to enable real-time data collection from IoT devices for traffic management, public safety, and environmental monitoring. Public venues like stadiums, airports, and convention centres will adopt Wi-Fi 7 early to manage the connectivity needs of thousands of simultaneous users, providing seamless streaming and data access for fans, travellers, and attendees. Within the consumer sector, tech-savvy users and smart home aficionados will upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 routers to maximise the performance of their growing array of connected devices, such as smart appliances, security systems, and entertainment systems for 8K streaming and gaming.   2. 6 GHz expansion and AFC AFC (Automated Frequency Coordination) systems will see phased rollouts across multiple regions, particularly in the US, Canada, the EU, and parts of Asia, as regulators increasingly approve 6 GHz use for unlicensed Wi-Fi under AFC management. In the US, the FCC will lead AFC implementation for standard-power Wi-Fi operations in the 6 GHz band, with licensed database administrators managing these AFC systems. Following the US model, other countries are anticipated to adopt similar AFC frameworks, accelerating deployment in enterprise and public spaces by ensuring devices can operate at standard power levels in outdoor or high-traffic areas without compromising incumbent communications. In Canada, AFC approval by regulatory bodies will drive adoption in urban areas and suburban networks, supporting widespread use in places like shopping centres, airports, and sports venues. In Europe, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) will likely coordinate region-specific AFC guidelines, balancing connectivity needs with incumbent protections.   3. AI-driven network optimisation AI-powered routers and cloud platforms will analyse traffic patterns, adjust bandwidth allocation, and manage devices for optimal performance, particularly in smart homes and IoT-heavy environments. As hardware becomes increasingly commoditised, infrastructure vendors create their respective secret sauces to innovate and differentiate. 4. Wi-Fi and 5G convergence The convergence of 5G/6G and Wi-Fi will ensure seamless, high-quality connectivity by dynamically switching between the best available networks. In a smart city, for example, a person moving from a Wi-Fi-rich office to a 5G-powered urban area will experience uninterrupted service, thanks to technologies like OpenRoaming and Passpoint, which enable secure, automatic connections to trusted Wi-Fi networks. 5G’s network slicing further enhances this by dedicating specific network resources to applications like AR/VR and real-time gaming, which can integrate smoothly with Wi-Fi. As enterprises and industries drive this convergence, 6G will add features like terahertz frequencies for nearly instant communication over wide and local areas. Edge computing, which processes data closer to its source to reduce latency, will leverage both Wi-Fi and 5G/6G to offload tasks to the best network, optimising real-time performance. Wi-Fi will dominate high-density areas like offices, while 5G/6G will enable broad IoT deployments, paving the way for innovations like smart cities and autonomous vehicles reliant on robust, ubiquitous connectivity.   5. OpenRoaming 2025 will continue to see an acceleration for OpenRoaming as global adoption continues to grow. It will see us move forward on the vision to transform the public and guest Wi-Fi user experience, and change the way we connect to Wi-Fi, from remote communities, to universities, stadiums, retail chains, large city deployments and more. OpenRoaming capabilities are extending into the IoT space, with zero touch provisioning of IoT devices, emergency calling and response and private cellular networks. At the same time, OpenRoaming expands the opportunity for MNOs and MVNOs to incorporate Wi-Fi as part of their wireless solutions to expand capacity and/or coverage, in particular for indoor scenarios.   6. TIP OpenWiFi TIP OpenWiFi adoption is projected to continue expanding, though the pace will likely be uneven across sectors and geographies. The introduction of OpenLAN switching is expected to stimulate growth, particularly in cost-sensitive markets such as India and among managed service providers (MSPs) in the US and Europe looking for alternative, flexible networking solutions. However, TIP OpenWiFi’s success will hinge on its ability to navigate challenges in scaling deployments and building credibility against established WLAN providers, who have aggressively invested in AI-driven performance enhancements and customisable features that make their offerings more compelling for enterprise-level CIOs and CTOs. 7. Increased IoT device connectivity IoT Evolution with Wi-Fi Generations and Wi-Fi Halow: as the number of IoT devices continues to grow, Wi-Fi networks will be optimised to handle large-scale device connections. Wi-Fi 6’s and Wi-Fi 7’s ability to manage more simultaneous devices will become crucial in supporting smart homes, IoT, and smart cities. Furthermore, the Wi-Fi HaLow standard will develop as a disruptive connectivity technology for IoT, with the potential to transform the IoT landscape. With its extensive range, superior penetration, and enhanced battery life, Wi-Fi HaLow is poised to revolutionise industries, including agriculture, smart cities, and manufacturing, improving efficiency and data collection. Wi-Fi HaLow is ready for primetime in the IoT ecosystem and is a natural fit, especially for long-range, intelligent applications.   8. API First The API-first strategy has transitioned from a progressive concept to a fundamental practice. Wi-Fi vendors are now building applications with APIs as the primary focus, ensuring that integration, scalability, and future growth are baked into the DNA of their digital solutions. This approach highlights the critical role of APIs in creating flexible, adaptable, and robust digital architectures. While using APIs provides a log of great flexibility and potential, every API integration project is inherently unique. Usually, a single integration build will take engineers at least several weeks. Once it’s built, engineers will likely need to allocate several hours per month to maintain the integration. 9. Municipalities and governments will continue to expand public Wi-Fi networks Public Wi-Fi networks will be driven by smart city initiatives, offering free or low-cost connectivity in urban areas. These networks will support everything from smart transportation systems to energy management and public safety. OpenRoaming is set to play a pivotal role in the expansion of public and Smart City Wi-Fi networks. For Smart Cities like Tokyo, Barcelona and others, this seamless transition between networks enables reliable, continuous connectivity for citizens and devices alike, supporting applications like real-time traffic monitoring, public safety systems, and IoT-based services. Municipalities and public Wi-Fi providers will likely prioritise OpenRoaming to enhance user experience, simplify network management, and foster more data-rich urban environments.   10. Greater focus on energy efficiency Wi-Fi networks will prioritise energy efficiency, particularly for IoT devices requiring long battery life. Technologies such as Target Wake Time (TWT) will become more prevalent, reducing power consumption in connected devices by allowing them to schedule check-ins with the network. For more from Wireless Broadband Alliance, click here.

Hybrid cabling for next-generation Wi-Fi

R&M has announced that it is paving the way for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G in buildings, and the globally active Swiss developer and provider of high-end infrastructure solutions for data and communications networks has developed a hybrid cabling concept specifically for this purpose. The solution combines fibre optic and power cabling for access points, and is based on the principle of structured LAN cabling. This makes it possible to quickly establish additional infrastructures for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G coverage in buildings in a tried-and-tested way. Wi-Fi 7 and 5G are increasing the transmission rate in local wireless networks. However, they are exceeding the transmission capacities of existing copper-based LAN cabling. An R&M spokesperson states, "Anyone wanting to use Wi-Fi 7 and 5G in buildings in the near future needs a practical and future-proof cabling solution." Hybrid cabling made of optical fibre and copper for data and power transmission, such as the one R&M has now developed, could well prove ideal. The next-generation access points are networked using optical fibres. At the same time, the antennas gain their power via the LAN cabling, which saves an additional separate power supply. As referenced, the hybrid solution from R&M is based on the principles of structured LAN cabling, and is integrated in the modified building, floor and ceiling cabling (digital ceiling). The antennas can be patched in next to no time to expand or customise Wi-Fi coverage. In addition to conventional fibre optic and copper installation cables, the R&M portfolio also includes hybrid installation cables, fibre optic and RJ45 patch cords, 19" patch panels and hybrid-compatible service outlets, as well as RJ45 and LC connectivity. One R&M solution variant even goes beyond the typical radius of LAN cabling. It supports distances of up to 200 metres between distributors and service outlets. This connects the patch cabling with parallel fibre optic and RJ45 patch cords. It connects the antennas with the data network and the power supply. R&M provides all the necessary cabling products, and the company also supports specialist planners and installers with adaptable installation concepts. The company therefore believes that next-generation Wi-Fi with a large number of transmission channels and transmission rates in excess of 30 Gbit/s is now feasible. For more from R&M, click here.

DSA details economic value of 6 GHz spectrum band

The full allocation of the 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi delivers the highest economic impact for India and enables the development of innovative products and services, the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) announced at the fourth Indian Spectrum Management Conference. The economic value for allocating the full 6 GHz for unlicenced use would amount to approximately $4,030 billion. This includes $3,544 billion in GDP contributions, $329 billion in consumer surplus, and $158 billion in producer surplus between now and 2034. “The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for India is currently considering different approaches to the 6 GHz band for licence-exempt use,” says DSA President, Martha Suarez. “The findings provided by the Telecom Advisory Services demonstrate that a full allocation for Wi-Fi is the best option for boosting the Indian economy and driving the country’s digital transformation. Furthermore, Wi-Fi can coexist with the satellites services that currently operate in the 6GHz band in India.” A number of approaches have been proposed to the DoT, including the splitting of the 6 GHz band between Wi-Fi and International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). In this scenario, Wi-Fi would be allocated the lower 500 MHz band, and IMT the upper 700 MHz band. The allocation of 1100 MHz to Wi-Fi, and 100 MHz to IMT, has also been suggested. When comparing these alternatives, the full allocation to Wi-Fi would deliver $858 billion more than the second option (and $46 billion higher than the third option) towards the Indian economy. Limiting the allocation of Wi-Fi to just 500 MHz would mean a restriction of indoor Wi-Fi speeds by 50%, while more than half of IoT devices would be limited in their indoor and outdoor access. 81.82% of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) devices used in indoor environments would also be limited in terms of their ability to operate. “Innovative technologies such as Wi-Fi 6e and 7, in the 6 GHz band, are critical to enhance government programs such as Digital India and Make in India,” comments President of the Itu-Apt Foundation of India, Bharat Bhatia. He urged India's Minister of Communications to urgently license the lower 6 GHz band while studies on the upper band are ongoing. “There’s one further consideration to be made,” adds President of the Telecom Advisory Services, Dr. Raul Katz. “Assuming that the World Radio Conference decides to allocate the upper 6 GHz to IMT during WRC-27, then equipment and devices for wideband mobile networks will need to be designed, tested and deployed, and it would take another two years to reach a useful deployment of service. On the other hand, Wi-Fi technology is already commonplace and can be deployed immediately with no additional requirements.” The full Assessment of the Economic Value of the 6 GHz Spectrum Band in India report, developed by Telecom Advisory Services and commissioned by the DSA, can be found on the DSA website by clicking here.

Winners of Broadband Excellence Awards announced

The best of the best in the broadband sector have been recognised at the first ever Broadband Excellence Awards. Each of the eight winners were found to have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields, and they are all playing a key part in driving the broadband industry forward. The awards are a part of the World Broadband Association’s (WBBA) annual awards programme, and are designed to honour industry achievements and innovation without compromise to commercial interests, ensuring the awards remain the gold standard of recognition in the broadband industry. WBBA Director General, Martin Creamer, says, “These awards celebrate exceptional achievements in broadband innovation, application, and infrastructure development. We congratulate all the winners for their contributions to advancing the future of broadband on a global scale.” The award winners were: • Outstanding Contribution to Network Excellence – China Unicom (Gigabit Optical Network of China Unicom)• Excellence in Broadband Application – China Telecom (Technology Innovative and Practice of 'Super Computing Express' for Computing Power and Network Coordination• Network Innovation Excellence towards Realisation of Future Networks and Services – STC (High Quality & Best Experience End-to-End 400/ 800GE Network)• Product and Solution Excellence – Nokia (Nokia Corteca, an End-to-End Software Solution for Best-In-Class In-Home Wi-Fi Connectivity)• Gigacity Excellence (Advanced City) – Guangxi and Shanghai (Guangxi Zhaung Autonomous Region Nanning Gigabit City Project and Shanghai – Building 'Smart Cloud Shanghai', a New Generation 10-Gigabit Cloud Broadband Urban Network)• Gigacity Excellence (Developing City) – Algiers and Bahrain (Algeria – Idoom Fibre Gigacity Excellence and Bahrain – BNET Broadband Excellence) The award ceremony took place during the WBBA's annual flagship event – Broad Development Congress : Monetising Next-Generation Broadband: How AI Will Influence Future Network Development. More details of the criteria for each award category can be found on the WBBA's award website. For more from WBBA, click here.

prplMesh deployments for 'whole home' Wi-Fi networks

Homes and businesses are closer to enjoying robust, easily manageable ‘whole home’ Wi-Fi networks thanks to the first-ever prplMesh deployment by Sagemcom, the prpl Foundation has announced today. The first operator deployment of prplMesh - the open-source Wi-Fi mesh solution - reflects a significant step towards the concept of ‘services-led broadband’ and sees cutting-edge services and features provided to seven operators across Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East. Thanks to the integration of prplMesh Wi-Fi stack, smart Wi-Fi devices such as routers and extenders can be easily linked to a home network. “This is a major milestone for open-source innovation, bringing future-proof, open, and reliable interoperability to home networks,” says prpl Foundation President Dr. Len Dauphinee. “prplMesh makes it easy for operators to deploy customised Wi-Fi services, ensuring service differentiation and new revenue streams. On the consumer side, the whole Wi-Fi experience is improved; it is easy to add devices into the network and they can access smart Wi-Fi services through their home broadband at the touch of a button. We are proud to have contributed to the world’s first deployments with our valued member Sagemcom.” Based on the prpl Foundation open-source project, the prplMesh software stack is a platform-independent, multi-vendor, open-source implementation of EasyMesh. It includes a high-level Application Programming Interface (API) to offer carrier-grade management for both local and remote cloud applications and services. Through prplMesh, operators can enable the customisation of specific Wi-Fi services by delivering smart Wi-Fi applications. As a result, they can select only the most suitable options for their requirements, while delivering innovative services to end users. “The use and support of open-source software has been a key driver in our business strategies, and we are proud to be the first global manufacturer to deploy prplMesh,” comments Executive Vice President of Sagemcom, Boris Nabedryk. “By leveraging the collective expertise of the prpl Foundation’s diverse community, we have delivered a more secure, reliable, and adaptable solution to meet customer demands worldwide. Our ongoing work with the prpl Foundation continues to drive the broadband industry forward, and we look forward to future innovations to come.” The solution is compatible with multiple router software platforms such as prplOS and Sagemcom software, enabling greater portability for different service providers, while ensuring support for the latest smart Wi-Fi applications.

Spirent expands Wi-Fi testing solutions

Spirent Communications, a provider of test and assurance solutions for next-generation devices and networks, has announced significant enhancements to its Octobox Wi-Fi testing solutions, designed to address the evolving needs of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and equipment manufacturers. As Wi-Fi continues its rapid evolution, driven by the increasing number of connected devices and the rollout of Wi-Fi 7, Spirent's advanced testing platforms are poised to ensure reliable and high-performance connectivity for consumers and enterprises alike. A key enhancement to the Octobox portfolio is the new pre-configured automated testbeds specifically designed to comprehensively test access points, devices, and mesh systems for Wi-Fi 7. Building upon earlier customisable configurations, Octobox has developed the world's first isolated-chamber testbed designed specifically for testing, validating, and optimising the performance of consumer endpoint devices connected to Wi-Fi 7, which revolutionises testing for a range of devices - from phones and VR goggles to refrigerators and drones. In addition, Spirent has designed a configuration specific to testing mesh networks, an important trend in Wi-Fi technology. Mesh backhaul testing is a specific area where the benefits of Wi-Fi 7, such as faster backhaul links, can be particularly advantageous. The testing solution ensures that as more devices connect and operate within a mesh network, the overall performance remains robust and reliable. This includes testing for throughput and resilience, which are critical for ensuring that mesh networks can handle the demands of multiple devices and provide seamless coverage. "With the rapid evolution of Wi-Fi technology, our advanced testing solutions ensure that ISPs can deliver robust, high-performance connectivity across complex mesh networks and a growing number of end devices,” says James Kimery, Vice President of Product Management with Spirent’s Test & Assurance business. “By addressing the unique challenges of Wi-Fi 7 for each key focus area, we empower ISPs to provide seamless, reliable service while reducing support costs and enhancing customer satisfaction." Spirent states that Octobox is the only platform that can comprehensively test stringent Wi-Fi 7 standards by characterising the unique capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 now and in the future as the requirements and related test cases evolve. With a modular design for easy upgrades and the ability emulate multiple devices or stations, Octobox provides a controlled environment to create real-world conditions in a repeatable manner, combining high performance instrumentation and analysis capabilities with the most sophisticated automation software. Octobox simplifies Wi-Fi 7 test set-up, reduces testing duration, and enhances repeatability, resulting in actionable business outcomes. For more from Spirent, click here.

Singtel to adopt TR-369 standard for enhanced Wi-Fi management

Singtel has announced that it is the first fixed broadband service provider in the world to successfully implement the international Broadband Forum TR-369 standard for Wi-Fi management. With smart home setups becoming more advanced, the adoption of the TR-369 standard and deployment of Nokia’s Corteca Home Controller will enable Singtel to efficiently manage multi-vendor home broadband customer premise equipment and accelerate the roll out of new innovative technologies and capabilities like Wi-Fi 7, 10Gbps broadband services and more. It also enables better interoperability between the network and connected devices, translating to an improved digital customer experience. With this added capability, Singtel’s technical care agents will have deeper insights into the network performance and technical issues faced by customers pertaining to Wi-Fi coverage and channel congestion through the multiple reports and network maps generated by the Home Controller. These enable agents to pre-empt and solve network-related issues more effectively. Tay Yeow Lian, Managing Director, Networks, Singtel Singapore, says, “With the adoption of an open standard such as TR-369, we can better manage and optimise the Wi-Fi connections using intelligent algorithms, which will automatically ease network congestion and eliminate interference from other Wi-Fi networks to deliver the smoothest, uninterrupted user experience for our customers. With consumers adopting a more immersive digital lifestyle, it is even more pertinent to have smoother and faster home internet connectivity.” Sang Xulei, Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific Regional Business Center for Network Infrastructure at Nokia, adds, “Service providers, such as Singtel, require an efficient cloud platform to manage broadband devices and optimise the in-home connectivity. Our Corteca solution is built on new open standards like TR-369 and EasyMesh, making it simple for operators to manage multi-vendor networks, and provide an unparalleled user experience.” Over the years, Singtel has invested heavily to boost the national broadband network to be able to support the rising demands for new technologies. In December 2023, Singtel launched Singapore’s first symmetrical 10Gbps broadband plan with the newest Wi-Fi 7 protocol, offering speeds of up to 10Gbps wirelessly, for both uploads and downloads. For more from Singtel, click here.

Latest WBA cross-industry report unveils the future of Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 6, 6E and 7 have top the list of wireless technologies that network operators, ISPs, device and chipset vendors, enterprises and other companies plan to deploy by the end of 2024, ahead of CBRS, DAS and private 4G/5G. Furthermore, confidence in investment across the sector is rising with 58% saying that they are more confident in investing in Wi-Fi, compared to a year ago, even though the business model remains the most pressing challenge for new deployments. And 6GHz spectrum availability also remains front of mind with two thirds deeming it an important issue for 2024. Those are two keys finding from the latest cross-industry report by the Wireless Broadband Alliance. Based on input from 200 enterprises, governments, fixed and mobile operators, vendors and other organisations worldwide, the WBA Annual Industry Report 2024 showcases how Wi-Fi technology continues to evolve in ways that anticipate the needs of consumers, businesses, enterprise verticals, smart cities and service providers. Highlights from the report’s other key findings include: Over 41% of respondents plan to deploy Wi-Fi 7 by the end of 2024. That amount is in addition to the 7.5% that already have and shows that the marketplace already sees a strong business case for Wi-Fi 7. By the end of 2024, over 47% of respondents plan to add WBA OpenRoaming or Passpoint to a new or existing Wi-Fi network. Another 33% already have, which is why WBA OpenRoaming is currently available at over 3.5 million hotspots worldwide. All of these figures highlight the strong perceived value of a framework that enables users to connect automatically and securely instead of constantly remembering and re-entering credentials. Enabling seamless interoperability between Wi-Fi and LTE/5G is the top reason for deploying WBA OpenRoaming. This feedback shows that the marketplace perceives the relationship between Wi-Fi and mobile as symbiotic rather than adversarial.  WBA OpenRoaming’s unique combination of convenience and security is ideal for use cases beyond just broadband access. “OpenRoaming also offers possibilities for electric vehicle charging stations as well as seamless onboarding,” the report mentions. One example is semi and fully autonomous EVs using charging stations to download the HD maps they need to navigate safely and successfully while uploading diagnostic data for preventative maintenance. Nearly 70% of respondents are either involved with a city-wide public Wi-Fi deployment or plan to be in 2024 or 2025. This activity highlights the ubiquity of Wi-Fi devices (including for IoT), the perceived value of using Wi-Fi to bridge the digital divide and the role that WBA OpenRoaming plays in making it convenient for residents, tourists and business travellers to connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots. The report also explores how Wi-Fi benefits 14 vertical markets, including rural communities, connected transportation, health care, aviation and manufacturing. Another section provides an update on Wi-Fi’s technology evolution, such as IEEE 802.11bf WLAN Sensing, 802.11bh Randomised MAC Addresses and 802.11bi Enhanced Data Privacy. Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, says, “The WBA Annual Industry Report 2024 is a must-read for anyone wanting to know exactly where Wi-Fi is and where it’s headed. Market momentum is a theme in many of the key findings. For example, 58% are more confident in investing in Wi-Fi now than a year ago – up from 46% last year. Specifically, survey respondents are stepping up investment in WBA OpenRoaming, Wi-Fi 7 and city-wide public Wi-Fi. As WBA celebrates its 20th anniversary, we look forward to the next 20 years of pioneering even more Wi-Fi technologies and use cases and developing a robust trails programme for W-Fi 7 to take innovation into 2024 and beyond.”

Cisco and Real Madrid team up to power Europe's most connected stadium

Real Madrid and Cisco have announced a multiyear global partnership during which they will deploy the largest WiFi 6 stadium network in Europe to date that will make Santiago Bernabéu Stadium one of the most technologically advanced sporting venues in the world. As an official technology partner of the Club, Cisco will outfit Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with an end-to-end deployment of its technology, all built on a single, converged, intelligent Cisco network. The 85,000 seat multi-purpose stadium will feature the latest in WiFi 6 for connectivity to power the ultimate fan experience. More than 1,200 WiFi 6 access points in Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will deliver faster speeds for more immersive experience applications, as well as more bandwidth and higher reliability than the previous Wi-Fi standard. Stadiums utilising Cisco’s WiFi 6 technology have seen record-breaking levels of data traffic and fan consumption, consistently reaching levels of engagement only previously seen at the largest sporting events in the world. “Thanks to this collaboration agreement with Cisco, a leader in connectivity and content management, the new Santiago Bernabéu Stadium ensures that it can take data, voice and video to any point and thus guarantee the widest range of services and an unrivalled spectacle in the world of football," says Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations at Real Madrid C.F. Optimised experiences and operations Through this partnership, Real Madrid will leverage not only the full breadth of Cisco solutions – from enterprise networking and security to data centre, digital signage and more, but also its expertise in working alongside the largest sporting organisations, leagues, teams, and venues in the world. On the back of a single, converged Cisco network that is inherently secure, fast, and reliable, Real Madrid will be able to enhance gameday operations as well as provide innovative experiences for their fans in the venue and around the world. More than 1,000 screens powered by Cisco’s end-to-end IPTV solution (which combines high-definition video delivery with state-of-the art digital signage) will allow the Club to drive incremental revenue, activation, and fan engagement throughout the complex. “Real Madrid is one of the crown jewels of football,” comments Wendy Mars, President, Cisco EMEAR. “We are thrilled to add a club with such a rich history to Cisco’s global portfolio of sports partnerships and look forward to uniting the collective power of our two global brands to drive a more connected and inclusive future for this sport.”

The remarkable 5G predictions for the New Year

Stephen Douglas, Head of 5G Strategy at Spirent Communications looks at 5G predictions for 2022. Dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) will grow during 2022, but new or reframed spectrum is needed sooner rather than later. Operators worldwide face stiff competition to provide as much 5G coverage in their markets, as quickly and cost efficiently as possible. To that end, expect more carriers to use DSS to raise their 5G profile with consumers. However, while DSS does ensure that more subscribers see that they’re connected to '5G' on their handsets, it can’t deliver data speeds that most consumers associate with 5G. Gradually, more operators will recognise that this effort is not enough to compete with non-DSS 5G services. Ultimately, operators will begin undertaking the more onerous and expensive process of reallocating/re-farming spectrum, and expanding their cell site footprint.  More operators will deploy standalone 5G core networks - and turn to hyperscalers for help. A few operators began deploying 5G SA networks in 2021, and those numbers will grow in 2022. What will be different is that many operators will be looking to partner with hyperscalers to do it, aiming to host cloud-native 5G core capabilities on cloud providers’ infrastructure. This process began in 2021, as operators began to grapple with just how challenging cloud-native infrastructure presents for traditional operations teams - and how much they can benefit from economies of scale by working with hyperscalers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. The industry will see significant growth in investment in AI/ML and automation. Based on testing, we see significant growth in AI/ML and automation to enhance network performance and fault management. In particular, more operators are investing in active testing and assurance systems to inject synthetic traffic into their networks to emulate real users and services, instead of relying on static, passive probes. And they’re seeking to pair these systems with AI/ML algorithms that can make good decisions in real time for where, when, and what to actively test to improve services or isolate faults, without requiring human intervention. We also expect to see early efforts in using AI/ML to enhance security, and in running testing workloads from public cloud.   The first wave of telco edge cloud use cases will hit the market. 2021 saw the first fledgling edge cloud partnerships between operators and cloud providers or other third parties. In 2022 though, we’ll see these initial test runs get serious business attention and investment. Look for activity around two basic offerings: public cloud-hosted edge services, which will focus on consumer applications like gaming, augmented reality, and video content delivery; and private cloud-hosted edge offerings for enterprise and industrial use cases. In particular, expect to see commercial launches of private cloud edge services for security and video surveillance, as well as secure desktop-as-a-service offerings for home-based workers. So will private 5G networks. By mid-2022, expect to see a big push for private 5G networks for stadiums and other high-density venues. Testing over the last 18 months has revealed that the behaviour of 5G radio within these indoor environments actually provides much better coverage than anticipated, with a very small footprint. Already, a number of US stadiums have deployed indoor mmWave coverage using small cells, and found they could provide excellent coverage and performance (at speeds well over 1-Gbps, even reaching out to parking lots) for tens of thousands of users with just a handful of small cells, versus hundreds of Wi-Fi access points. These cases were proven in 2021 and should start to be deployed at scale next year. Latency will begin to replace data rates in the battle for the hearts and minds of telco customers. For decades, the race to win the mobile marketplace was all about delivering faster data rates than the competition. As operators begin to expand their focus on the enterprise and industrial sectors in 2022, that focus will begin to give way to latency. Expect more operators to invest in demonstrating to the market that their networks can not only deliver latencies as low as required, but can deliver those latencies consistently and deterministically enough to support mission-critical industrial applications. Open virtual RAN will go from pilot to production. Another incremental change in the coming year, Open vRAN will move from small-scale pilots to small- and medium-size live deployments. Based on testing, we expect to see early Open vRAN deployments in three key areas: rural regions, indoor, and non-dense urban deployments. All three are viewed as less risky than other types of deployments, either because they will not support mission-critical services, or because they will be able to fall back on the traditional macro network if needed. Some challenger service providers (Rakutan, DISH Network) may start rolling out live Open vRAN deployments in denser urban areas, but the major incumbents likely will hold off until 2023/2024. Momentum will continue building to accelerate some 'Beyond 5G' services. The service provider industry has already begun vision-setting in earnest for future wireless systems. As they do, many are searching for opportunities to bring some of those future technologies back within the umbrella of 5G architectures over the next eight years. Based on the testing we’re seeing, we expect to see these efforts in two major areas. First, integrating low-Earth orbiting satellite technology into the 5G system to enhance 5G coverage for specific use cases and specific areas of reach. Second, we’re seeing early testing efforts in the use of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and meta-materials, with the goal of creating intelligent reflective surfaces that can direct or even amplify radio signals. These technologies, which likely won’t be integrated into 5G systems for several years, will help operators cover hard-to-reach areas by enabling RF signals to travel longer distances and avoid interference, reduce the required density of radio towers, and potentially reduce energy output and carbon emissions.