Howard Buzick: I'm Howard Buzick from American Bandwidth. I've been working in the Open WiFi group for about four years since it started. I'm serving as a co-chair of the project group. Open WiFi is an open, disaggregated initiative. We work with device OEMs that normally make enterprise-grade WiFi access points, providing them with open-source firmware and software. We also create an open-source API and SDK for cloud controllers of those networks. Sometimes these are developed by network deployers like Helium Mobile or Nova Labs, and other times by companies specializing in cloud controllers for the Open WiFi community, like WorldVue. More details on that to come. Thank you. 

Mark Schaps: I'm Mark Schaps, Chief Information Officer at WorldVue. WorldVueis a systems integrator servicing over 7,000 properties in the US, close to a million rooms, mostly in the hospitality space. We've expanded to different verticals like MDU, and I'll go through a case study on that. 

Mark Schaps: The case study is in Dallas, Texas, at an MDU property with six buildings and 270 units. We deployed Open WiFi with over 300 access points and used Open LAN switches for the MDF and IDF. The open-source aspect allows us to contribute to feature designs needed in different verticals. The return on investment is significant, with lower costs of ownership compared to big players, which is a driving force in the MDU space and hopefully in hospitality as well. 

Rob Soni: Yes, we have an enthusiastic audience excited about WiFi. Today, 80% to 90% of smartphone traffic is offloaded via WiFi. As a carrier, we often treat WiFi as a less desirable interface, but more subscribers expect integrity across the cellular-WiFi boundary. They don't know if they're connected via 5G or WiFi. Thanks to TIP and the open WiFi initiative, we're trialing opportunities for disaggregation on the WiFi layer. It's different from Open RAN, but similar to what we're doing with routing in our edge and core routers. Moving to an open management plane allows us to decouple hardware from software and features, ensuring they are provided regardless of the underlying layer. As we move from WiFi 6 to 7 or 8, we can migrate features because the management layer is common. 

Mario Di Dio: Hello, I'm Mario, General Manager of Networks at Nova Labs, the company that created the Helium Network. Our goal with Open WiFi was to bridge the disaggregated technology stack with a decentralized infrastructure model, creating a people-powered network. We added a blockchain layer to Open WiFi for transparency and monitoring, providing a trusted network. We also created a real-time data settlement layer for data demand and supply. In the US and Mexico, we have over 21,000 hotspots deployed, partnering with MNOs and MVNOs. In Mexico, we announced a joint initiative with Telefonica to augment coverage. It's exciting to see the technology stack grow and its social impact. 

Ciara McCarthy: Hi, I'm Ciara McCarthy, Chief Marketing Officer at EPS Global. EPS Global is a value-added distributor with 28 global locations. I'm here to talk about our deployment with ThyssenKrupp Material Services, one of our flagship Open WiFi deployments. ThyssenKrupp is a large materials distributor with office environments and factory industry halls. The industry halls, full of steel and obstacles, disrupted the WiFi signal. They struggled with network reliability and high costs. They looked at Open WiFi as a solution, and we introduced them to IO by HFCL's access points and cloud controller. They replaced their legacy network with Open WiFi 6 APs, cloud controller, and edge core switches, all procured through EPS. The results have been remarkable, with 60% lower hardware costs and 70% Opex savings. They now have a reliable network supporting critical operations. Initially a pilot in Germany, it's now rolled out to over 30 sites globally, with plans for more. 

Rob Soni: It's a good question. Whether from an AT&T or TIP perspective, the costs of deployment and operational challenges for single-vendor traditional deployment cause friction in supporting migration from one standard or vendor to another. There's a lot of movement in the ecosystem, and we need to insulate against that. Building infrastructure for controllers and gateways in a common way and driving the management plane gives us flexibility with access points. The intelligence will largely reside there. Open APIs and openness allow us to operate networks in a less bespoke way, which is helpful for scaling. WiFi is generally viewed as a lower-cost access medium, but ironically, so much traffic flows over WiFi interfaces. 

Mark Schaps: Disaggregation is key. Using different hardware manufacturers with open-source Open WiFi software is beneficial. During COVID, hardware shortages were an issue, but having multiple vendors allowed us to install in one property seamlessly. That's a big benefit compared to standard WiFi with one big name installed. 

Monica Paolini: Ciara, what about different countries and manufacturing? What did you learn? 

Monica Paolini: Howard, what about Open WiFi and open LAN? What have you learned? 

Mark Schaps: As a systems integrator and contributor, we're in line with what properties want. We're in the weeds, knowing what works and what doesn't. Bigger manufacturers build for the mass community, but that's not always what specific industries want. Contributing specific pieces is key. 

Rob Soni: We've been driving pass point as an enabling technology, allowing roaming on WiFi without fussing with passwords. This is valuable for end users who don't want to know if they're connected via WiFi or 5G. The combination of global roaming technology and open APs gives users the best WiFi experience wherever they go. 

Ciara McCarthy: The major reasons are cost benefits, reliability, availability, and flexibility. The advice is to give it a try. The software is mature, stable, and feature-rich, with a wide range of access points and controllers. ThyssenKrupp replaced their legacy hardware with Open WiFi 6 APs and are delighted with the performance and stability. 

Mark Schaps: In the hospitality industry, Open WiFi is the next big driving force. The cost of ownership and the ability to install new technology without a full replacement are key benefits. 

Howard Buzick: Companies like Qualcomm have target numbers of chips for different markets, so we weren't impacted by supply chain issues. Different countries with a plentiful supply of chips developed our APs. Looking to the future, we'll develop deeper residential single-family home functionality in the feature stack. 

Rob Soni: There's a focus on cost and operations, but the WiFi ecosystem is vibrant and continues to innovate. WiFi 7 is emerging, and there's a contentious topic about 6 GHz in the US. If 1200 MHz is available to WiFi, we want to make it available quickly. Open WiFi allows us to consume new innovation and spectrum rapidly, reducing costs and improving the seamless experience between WiFi and cellular. 

Mario Di Dio: Scalability is central, and building trusted networks is key. Focusing on quality of access and access metrics for both front haul and backhaul is important. Open WiFi is well-positioned to make that happen. 

Howard Buzick: I think we'll see more Open WiFi used with pass point for indoor coverage solutions, a growing trend in the industry. 

Mark Schaps: Different verticals, like hospitality, will get more involved. The more people in the community, the faster we can drive this to a better solution. 

Rob Soni: There will be opportunities for integrators to jump between cellular and WiFi, providing services needed for seamless experiences. 

Mario Di Dio: A converged experience with a focus on building tools from the community and operator side. Convergence is the future. 

Ciara McCarthy: All verticals will move to WiFi 7. Residential, MDUs, hotels, student accommodation, stadiums, and marinas. The future is bright for Open WiFi.