Wireless and 5G are changing the way we live and work, but what does it take to integrate these technologies? I spoke with Bruno Tomas, CTO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) to get his insights on convergence, collaboration and the road ahead.
Question: Bruno, could you start by sharing your experience and role in the WBA?
Bruno: Absolutely. I am a graduate engineer with degrees in electrical and computer engineering as well as a master’s degree in telecommunications systems. I started my career at Portugal Telecom and later worked in Brazil focusing on network standards. I joined the WBA about 12 years ago and my role focused on building standards for seamless interoperability and convergence between Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE and now 5G. At the WBA, we bring together vendors, operators and integrators to create technical specifications and guidelines that support innovation and usability in wireless networks.
Q: What are the key challenges in achieving seamless integration between wireless technologies and 5G?
Bruno: One of the biggest challenges is making sure our work translates into real-world use cases – especially in corporate and public environments. For example, in manufacturing or warehouses, where metal structures and interference can disrupt connectivity, we need a robust solution to begin with. At WBA, we’ve worked with vendor partners, the chipset and device communities, as well as integrators to address these challenges by creating best practices. Beyond that comes innovation. For example, our OpenRoaming concepts help enable seamless transitions between networks, including the Internet of Things, reducing complexity for IT managers and CIOs.
Q: Could you explain how the WBA ‘Tiger Teams’ contribute to these solutions?
Bruno: Tiger Teams are specialized working groups within our alliance. They bring together technical experts from companies like AT&T, Intel, Broadcom and AirTies to solve specific challenges together. For example, in our 5G and Wi-Fi convergence group, members define requirements and scenarios for industries such as aerospace or healthcare. This ensures that our recommendations are practical and ready for action. This collaborative approach helps foster innovation while addressing real challenges.
Q: You already mentioned OpenRoaming. How will it help businesses and consumers?
Bruno: OpenRoaming simplifies connectivity by allowing users to seamlessly switch between Wi-Fi and mobile networks without the need for manual login or configuration. Imagine a hospital where doctors move between different buildings and use tablets to care for patients, supported by an enhanced security layer. Thanks to OpenRoaming, they can stay connected without interruption. Similarly, for businesses, it minimizes the need for extensive IT support and reduces costs while providing high-quality services.
Q: What is the current state of adoption of technologies like 5G and Wi-Fi 6?
Bruno: Adoption is growing rapidly but is uneven across regions. Wi-Fi 6 has changed the game, offering better modulation and spectrum management, making it ideal for high-density environments such as factories or stadiums. On the 5G side, private networks have been announced, particularly in industries such as manufacturing, but integration with existing systems remains a hurdle. In Europe, regulatory and infrastructure issues are slowing down, while the US and APAC regions are moving faster.
Q: What role do you see artificial intelligence playing in wireless and 5G convergence?
Bruno: AI is critical to optimizing network performance and making real-time decisions. At WBA, we have launched initiatives to incorporate artificial intelligence into wireless networks, helping systems anticipate and adapt to user needs. For example, AI can guide network management – deciding whether a device should stay on Wi-Fi or switch to 5G based on signal quality and usage patterns. This kind of automation will be necessary as networks become more and more complex.
Q: What excites you most about the future of wireless and 5G?
Bruno: The potential for convergence to enable new use cases is incredibly exciting. Whether it’s smart cities, advanced manufacturing or immersive AR and VR experiences, the opportunities are endless. Wi-Fi 7 will bring even greater capacity and coverage, enabling gigabit speeds to be delivered in dense environments such as stadiums or city centers. On the contrary, we are starting to look at 6G. One trend is clear: Wi-Fi should be integrated into the 6G framework, which will enable densification. At WBA, we are committed to ensuring that these improvements are accessible, interoperable and sustainable.
Thank you, Bruno!
Note: The WBA Industry Report 2025 has now been released and is available for download. Click here for more information.
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