Looking Back at the 2016 Wireless Global Congress, San Jose

The Wireless Global Congress has rightfully earned a reputation as being one of the biggest and best events in the ecosystem. Earlier this year, in June, the Congress headed to Liverpool, UK, where it was a part of the prestigious International Festival for Business (IFB). And just two weeks ago, the event returned to San Jose, California, for our second event of 2016.

Here are just a few of the highlights from San Jose:

Two-day conference programme

While the Wireless Global Congress technically kicked off on Monday, 14 November with meetings and members-only working sessions, the event truly got underway two days later with a jam-packed conference programme. Featuring dozens of top-level speakers from all corners of the ecosystem, the programme touched on all the major topics that are currently being discussed and debated in the wireless industry. These include: Next-Gen Wi-Fi, the Coexistence & Convergence of licensed and unlicensed technologies, Connected Cities, 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Wireless Innovation, and more.

A few highlights from this year’s conference programme included:

Sam Liccardo, Mayor of San Jose, shared his thoughts on the importance of Wi-Fi and wireless innovation to the city. In recent years, the WBA and San Jose have forged a strong relationship, through the Wireless Global Congress and the Connected City Advisory Board, and Mayor Liccardo expressed the city’s eagerness to continue the strengthening of the relationship in the years to come.

Marian Croak, VP R&D Access and Emerging Market, Google, discussed the launch of connectivity in emerging markets, and how operators tackle challenges such as poverty and remoteness.

A panel discussion featuring representatives from Facebook, Google, AT&T Labs and Broadcom highlighted the convergence of licensed and unlicensed networks; specifically, what role this will play as the ecosystem continues to evolve.

One of the more inspiring moments of entire event was undoubtedly the Kids Future Panel. Hosted by Boingo’s Dr. Derek Peterson, several children from the nearby Horace Mann Elementary School took the stage to share what they want to see from the wireless industry in the future. This was a truly great session that warmed the hearts of every attendee in the audience.

Be sure to check our Resource Centre in the coming weeks as we upload presentations and videos from the Congress.

WBA Innovation Lounge

This unique area on the Exhibition floor featured live demos of innovative services and products, giving attendees the opportunity to view how companies throughout the ecosystem are using wireless innovation to better serve their customers. Participating companies included Orange, who demoed their Carrier Grade Wi-Fi Roaming; Mojo Networks’ Cloud-based services demonstration; and Ruckus Wireless, with their OpenG demo.

WBA Industry Awards and Gala Dinner

One of the true WBA highlights each year, the Industry Awards and Gala Dinner is a celebration of excellence in wireless innovation. The evening kicked-off with attendees arriving at the Corinthian Grand Ballroom and being greeted on a red carpet, sponsored by Comcast, before enjoying cocktails and hors d’ouevres courtesy of Boingo Wireless.

When the dust settled, the winners of the 2016 WBA Industry Awards were:

• Best Next Gen Wi-Fi Operator Deployment: Telstra for Telstra Air
• Best Converged Operator Deployment: Boingo Wireless for Boingo DAS
• Best Next Gen Wi-Fi Network Infrastructure: Affirmed Networks for its fully virtualized, Wi-Fi Gateway
• Best Converged Network Infrastructure: Ruckus Wireless for OpenG
• Best Consumer Centric Wireless Service Innovation: KT for Olleh TV Air
• Best Industrial Wireless Service Innovation: AT&T for AT&T Foundry for Connected Health at Texas Medical Center
• Best Connected City Deployment: The City of New York for LinkNYC
• Best Wireless Deployment in Rural or Remote Areas: SK Telecom for its Smart Wireless Backhaul Solution
• Best Wireless Innovation and Excellence in Social Impact: Left for its YO! Connectivity to the Unconnected
• WBA Wireless Leadership Award: Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC commissioner
• Distinguished Member Award (Non-Operator): Ruckus Wireless
• Distinguished Member Award (Operator): AT&T

View a gallery with more great photos from WBA Industry Awards and Gala Dinner here.

WBA Accelerator

This exciting initiative gives start-up companies the opportunity to pitch their products and services to investors, while also learning the ins and outs of the wireless industry.