The Wireless Broadband Alliance recently launched World Wi-Fi Day, a new initiative that will accelerate affordable wireless connectivity around the world. Taking place on Monday, June 20, 2016, the idea for World Wi-Fi Day was originally conceived by WBA Board Adisor Reza Jafari, and it has since grown into an initiative that will undoubtedly be one of the WBA’s biggest of the year.
As this very significant day draws nearer, JR Wilson, WBA Chairman, shared how World Wi-Fi Day came to be and his vision for what can be accomplished.
WBA Chairman JR Wilson.
How did the idea for a World Wi-Fi Day come about?
World Wi-Fi Day was originally the idea of Reza Jafari. Reza is a member of the WBA Advisory Board in addition to his roles as Chairman and CEO of e-Development International and Vice-Chairman of the Connected City Advisory Board. His idea was to recognize and promote the role Wi-Fi plays in bridging the digital divide, making our cities smarter and improving the lives of people around the world by creating World Wi-Fi Day on the longest day of the year in 2016 – June 20th.
Why was there a need for World Wi-Fi Day?
World Wi-Fi Day is a call to action for all stakeholders, those in industry and government, to advance and accelerate access to affordable wireless connectivity around the world. It is a day to recognize the important role that Wi-Fi plays in connecting cities and communities, and to urge all that we have a vested interest to do more to provide connectivity everywhere.
How does World Wi-Fi Day fit within the WBA?
The WBA created the Connected City Advisory Board (CCAB) to converge the public and private sectors around the social and economic benefits of enabling the Connected City. The CCAB includes senior representatives from New York City, Barcelona, Dublin, San Francisco, Singapore, San Jose, Mexico City as well as the governments of Delhi and Philippines.
The Connected City Advisory Board is a driving force behind World Wi-Fi Day. Fostering the deployment of Wi-Fi and unlicensed wireless in the public space is a key component of the Smart City of the future and key to bridging the digital divide in underserved areas.
What are the goals of World Wi-Fi Day?
The goal of World Wi-Fi Day is to create a platform to drive and promote connectivity everywhere. Connectivity brings massive benefits to society. Connectivity has the power to improve the way to we live by helping reduce income inequality, enabling more efficient use of energy and resources and making our streets safer.
How to you plan to expand upon World Wi-Fi Day in the future?
We are working within the Connected City Advisory Board (CCAB) to build on the momentum of World Wi-Fi Day by bringing to life specific initiatives to increase access to wireless connectivity. In the coming weeks the CCAB will be reaching out to industry, governments, institutions and individuals to solicit ideas to address underserved areas.
Interested in getting involved with World Wi-Fi Day? Please get in touch with us at contactus@wballiance.com
