WBA white papers

Unlicensed Integration with 5G Networks

The “Unlicensed Integration with 5G Networks’ whitepaper outlines the options and alternative approaches available for combining access over Wi-Fi-based and cellular-based networks in the run up to 5G. In a culmination of two years of analysis on the convergence of unlicensed and licensed technologies.
The report builds on the WBA’s previous report, “5G Networks – The Role of Wi-Fi and Unlicensed Technologies” to provide an analysis of the varied approaches for integrating cellular and Wi-Fi networks and defines three alternative approaches to integration, and describes key requirements for each approach:

•  Access Centric Solutions integrate Wi-Fi into the cellular access-stratum.

•  Core Centric Solutions integrate Wi-Fi into the cellular non-access stratum core network.

•  Above-the-core Centric Solutions integrate Wi-Fi above-the-core network using IETF defined multi-path protocols.

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Decoded

The white-paper, ‘Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Decoded’ whitepaper, highlights how the capabilities of the latest generation of Wi-Fi,  Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) are set to reshape the industry by enabling a whole new set of economically advantageous use cases to benefit operators, enterprise and end users. The paper will give you some insights about the advantages of using  Wi-Fi 6 to deliver the “5G use cases” not yet offered by 5G, as well as seamless support to existing networks and devices through its backwards compatibility.

Download this handy infographic to get the key takeaway points or download the full white paper below.

IoT Interoperability: Dynamic Roaming

‘IoT Interoperability: Dynamic Roaming’ whitepaper investigates how existing Wi-Fi roaming capabilities could help the IoT market with the evolution of IoT Device roaming, ensuring devices can seamlessly ‘talk’ to each other. The aim of the study is to provide a framework for IoT roaming, demonstrating the value and opportunities to enhance the functionality for existing technologies with the use of the WBA’s Wireless Roaming Intermediary eXchange (WRIX) specification, in areas such as authentication, financial and data clearing, invoicing, security and automation.

Network Slicing – Understanding Wi-Fi Capabilities

In this article, the WBA explains how Carrier Wi-Fi operators can embrace the slicing concepts being defined by 3GPP and leverage already existing capabilities to deliver sliced Wi-Fi networks today. It also demonstrates how the key network slicing requirements associated with the access network can be addressed using commercial Wi-Fi capabilities.

Wi-Fi Value-Add and Advertising

Wi-Fi: Value Add and Advertising explores the value-added use cases of Wi-Fi advertising and location services, to help service providers to capitalise on their Wi-Fi networks. The report also highlights and includes case studies of operators and organisations exploiting this technology today, including Boingo works with airport venue and Devicescape’s partnership with Cancer Research UK.

Connected City Blueprint 2017

The Connected City Blueprint 2017/18 serves as a guideline for cities and government authorities looking for support in the approach and development of their Connected City Plans. It includes valuable lessons to be learned from the most successful early adopters, and is a source for the broader wireless industry to better understand the challenges and opportunities the Connected City and Smart City ecosystem offers.


This latest edition also explores how different technologies can help cities develop their Connected City Plans to tackle urban challenges, whilst highlighting the need for engagement with and collaboration between the different stakeholders, including the Citizens, City Authorities, Private Sector Companies, Innovators and Entrepreneurs and Academia, in order to achieve success.

NGH Provisioning Standardization White Paper

This whitepaper defines the exact framework, use cases, call-flows, and specific element-level requirements that enable the capability for Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and Wi-Fi-only devices to discover, provision, and use provider Wi-Fi networks (NGH or legacy 802.1X). All without pre-provisioning, obtaining credentials ahead of time, and minimal user intervention, using a single secure SSID

5G Networks – The Role of Wi-Fi and Unlicensed Technologies

The next generation of mobile technology, 5G, is beginning to take shape. 5G intends to enable a seamless society connection, bringing people together along with things, data, applications, transport systems and cities in a ‘smarter’ networked communication environment. This whitepaper provides initial assessment on how Wi-Fi and other unlicensed technologies will contribute to the 5G framework definition. The whitepaper also explores the opinions of more than 65 companies across the globe…

The Urban Unconnected

Challenging, efforts, and opportunities on the path towards a digital society.


This research was commissioned by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) to the research and consulting firm IHS Markit. The white paper is the result of the research conducted on the topic of the digital divide and urban unconnected across eight leading countries (Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America) with deep dive studies provided for five global cities.

Quality of Service on Carrier Grade Wi-Fi

This white paper outlines the need for standardization and industry collaboration to bring guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) to Carrier Wi-Fi. While Carrier Wi-Fi deployments are on the rise, current industry standards do not support QoS on Wi-Fi access technology. This paper unfolds the industry path to support QoS on unlicensed spectrum technologies, including a technical framework, data types, security mechanisms, APIs and interfaces to improve Wi-Fi network performance and therefore the user perceived quality of experience. Current standards alone will not be sufficient for improved Quality of Experience to the user; the seamless connection does not ensure a quality connection and the user may often be forced to turn off Wi-Fi.