Bridging Wireless and 5G – Gigaom
Wireless connectivity and 5G transform our way of living and working, but what does it take to integrate these technologies? I spoke to Bruno Tomas, CTO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), to obtain his ideas on convergence, collaboration and the coming road.
Q: Bruno, could you start by sharing a little on your history and your role in WBA?
Bruno: Absolutely. I am an engineer in training, with diplomas in electrical and computer engineering, as well as a master’s degree in telecommunications systems. I started my career with Portugal Telecom and I worked later in Brazil, focusing on network standards. About 12 years ago, I joined WBA and my role was focused on the construction of standards for interoperability and transparent convergence between Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE and now 5G. At WBA, we bring together suppliers, operators and integrators to create technical specifications and directives that stimulate innovation and conviviality in wireless networks.
Q: What are the main challenges to achieve transparent integration between wireless technologies and 5G?
Bruno: One of the biggest challenges is to ensure that our work is reflected in real use cases, especially in corporate and public environments. For example, in manufacturing or storage, where metal structures and interference can disrupt connectivity, we need robust solutions for beginners. At the WBA, we worked with partners of the communities of the seller, chipset and devices, as well as integrators, to meet these challenges by creating directives tested in the field. In addition to that, innovation. For example, our openroaming concepts help allow transparent transitions between networks, including IoT, reducing complexity for IT managers and CIOs.
Q: Could you explain how WBA’s “Tiger teams” contribute to these solutions?
Bruno: Tiger teams are specialized working groups within our alliance. They bring together business technical experts such as AT&T, Intel, Broadcom and Airties to resolve specific challenges in collaboration. For example, in our 5G & Wi-Fi convergence group, members define the requirements and scenarios for industries such as aerospace or health care. By doing this, we make sure that our recommendations are practical and ready for the field. This collaborative approach helps to stimulate innovation while taking up real world challenges.
Q: You mentioned Openroaming earlier. How does it help companies and consumers?
Bruno: Openroaming simplifies connectivity by allowing users to move transparently between Wi-Fi and cellular networks without the need for manual connections or configurations. Imagine a hospital where doctors move between different buildings while using patient care tablets, supported by an improved safety layer. With Openroaming, they can remain connected without interruptions. Likewise, for companies, it minimizes the need for extensive IT support and reduces costs while guaranteeing high quality service.
Q: What is the current adoption state for technologies such as 5G and Wi-Fi 6?
Bruno: Adoption increases rapidly, but it is uneven between regions. Wi-Fi 6 has changed the game, offering better modulation and better spectrum management, making it ideal for high density environments such as factories or stages. On the 5G side, private networks have been announced, in particular in industries such as manufacturing, but integration with existing systems remains an obstacle. In Europe, regulatory and infrastructural challenges slow down things, while the American regions and Apac are evolving more quickly.
Q: What role do you see the AI playing in wireless convergence and 5G?
Bruno: AI is essential to optimize network performance and make decisions in real time. At WBA, we have launched initiatives to integrate AI into wireless networking, helping systems to predict and adapt to user needs. For example, the AI can guide network management – Determine whether a device should stay on Wi -Fi or go to 5G depending on the signal quality and user models. This type of automation will be essential as networks become more complex.
Q: For the future, what excites you most in the future of wireless and 5G?
Bruno: The convergence potential to allow new use cases is incredibly exciting. Whether it is intelligent cities, advanced manufacturing or immersive experiences with RA and VR, opportunities are unlimited. Wi-Fi 7, will provide an even greater capacity and coverage, which provides gigabit speeds in dense environments such as stages or urban centers. Conversely, we are starting to examine 6G. A trend is clear: Wi-Fi must be integrated into a 6G setting, allowing densification. At WBA, we are committed to guarantee that this progress is accessible, interoperable and sustainable.
Thank you, Bruno!
NB The WBA 2025 industry report is now published and is available for download. Please click here for more information.
