Your Title

Although macro towers so far have carried the majority of 5G traffic in the U.S., operators are under increasing pressure to expand their 5G coverage so they can handle more traffic on their 5G networks in urban areas. Experts believe that ultimately operators will rely on hundreds of thousands of small cells around the country to densify their networks. When will 5G small cells start to proliferate? And who will provide those small cells?  

5G success is really dependent upon new use cases that will generate new revenues. However, so far, the primary 5G use case has been faster broadband.  When will we see some of the innovative new use cases promised by 5G such as the connected car, smart retail, remote surgery or AR/VR?    And will these new use cases deliver the necessary return on investment?  

Because most mobile broadband traffic occurs indoors, it’s critical that operators can provide quality indoor network coverage. However, 5G indoor coverage faces some challenges because of the high spectrum frequencies that some operators use to deliver their 5G coverage. In addition, new 5G use cases demand lower latency and better bandwidth to work. This panel will look at the opportunity for 5G indoor coverage and the investment needed to deliver this coverage.  

Many utility companies are finding that delivering broadband services to their customers is a natural extension of their business because they can leverage existing electrical infrastructure. And in many cases, these utilities are running fiber any way as part of their modernization projects. In the recent FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund reverse auction, many electric co-ops were awarded funds for their broadband buildouts.  This panel will look at the pros and cons of some of these endeavors.   

Public/private partnerships are growing in popularity as a way to deliver broadband connectivity to the underserved. Local policymakers realize that broadband is critical to their communities and their schools and there is now an urgent willingness to invest in broadband infrastructure. This panel will look at the benefits (and challenges) in creating public private partnerships and how these deals are structured so they make economic sense for both parties. 

Data centers are increasingly becoming a key part of the wireless operators’ network infrastructure because they allow operators to base more of their network on software that is running inside these data centers, which in turn reduces their operational costs.  Tower companies have recognized data centers as a potential business opportunity and some, like American Tower, are purchasing data centers. This panel will look at the data center opportunity and what it means for tower companies, mobile operators and the entire telecom ecosystem.  

Defining the elusive network "edge" is an evolving process. Some envision a world where edge data centers are located at the base of cell towers. Others believe the network edge is further away from the cell site, where cloud computing technologies can handle services for several different applications. But no matter the edge scenario, the goal is the same: to bring the network closer to the source of the data so that lower latency is achieved. This panel will delve into the role of the edge and the opportunity it provides for infrastructure companies. More importantly, how will the edge provide a revenue-generating opportunity for different players? 

Open RAN is still in its infancy but several forward-thinking network operators are committing to it. The promise of vendor interoperability means operators can choose best-of-breed solutions to optimize each network function, but as with any new technology there are challenges. This panel will discuss the latest Open RAN developments and deployments and will delve into some of the early challenges of Open RAN and how those are being overcome.

The concept of the smart city has typically revolved around deploying technologies that eliminate the hassles of urban life and make cities safer, greener and more efficient.  But the Covid-19 pandemic upended some of these goals and now communities are reassessing their smart city priorities to focus on more urgent things like digital equity and solving the homework gap. This panel will look at what are the new smart city tech priorities (smart street lights or smart wastewater solutions?) and also determine how city leaders can navigate this transition. 

The wireless industry, like other sectors, has seen a lot of change over the last two years.  Our colleagues and those who support communication infrastructure deployment in California, Arizona, and Colorado have experienced some major shifts in priorities from the wireless operators such as Dish, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile as well as local municipalities.  The work-from-home and hybrid office models that have become standard create an environment for new opportunities as well as headaches for how we have traditionally done business.  In this panel you’ll hear the wireless association perspective on where the industry stands today and where we see it going for the next few years.

The first quarter of 2022 will bring Release 17 from the 3GPP which will detail a 5G world that will significantly rely upon the contribution of satellite and other “Non-Terrestrial Networks”. Release 17 will expand the reach of cellular/mobile 5G New Radio (5G NR) standards networks to areas lacking network infrastructure and for use cases in enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC). Satellite links will cover the edge of mobile operators’ networks, with customers benefiting from multi-connectivity, connecting with both terrestrial links and satellite links. Release 17 will facilitate the use of satellites to:

• Foster 5G service roll out in unserved or underserved areas.
• Increase service reliability for critical communications and service availability everywhere with mobile users.
• Enable 5G network scalability through the provision of efficient multicast/broadcast resources for data delivery towards the network edges or even directly to user equipment.
• Allow global enterprises to be fully cloud-enabled, with facilities monitored in real-time and remote workers connected to applications, content and their families.

Some operators are banking on 5G FWA being able to provide fast mobile broadband services to consumers and compete with many fixed line incumbents (i.e. cable companies). But FWA isn’t easy to deploy. Operators must backhaul traffic (typically using fiber) and deploying the service often requires a truck roll, unless they can deliver a self-install option. Plus, they have to have customer premises equipment that is affordable.  Is 5G FWA a viable competitor to existing fixed line broadband options?   

Wireless technology is breaking down barriers and making information, education, healthcare and financial opportunities available to more people in more places. Smart city solutions are helping to bridge the urban divide, federal subsidies are helping marginalized Americans get mobile broadband, and satellites that connect directly to phones are bringing the internet to remote areas. This panel will look at the roles of infrastructure and technology in broadening access to services, and will explore the implications of a more connected world. 

Spectrum reframing and 3G sunsetting plans by the operators will add more spectrum for 5G applications this year. FCC fueled mmWave bands in 2018 and 2019. Focus shifted to mid-band frequencies through CBRS and C-Band auctions in 2020 and 2021. Though recent success of 3.45 GHz auction was eclipsed by the discussion around FAA’s concern on the usage of C-Band, the industry and the FCC are moving forward with their plans to make more spectrum available for licensed commercial use. This panel will discuss FCC’s recent auctions, impact on 5G deployment as a result, and operators' need for more spectrum in future. Experts will also address the current landscape of the unlicensed bands for Wi-Fi (5.9 GHz and 6 GHz). Future of shared spectrum and new bands on the horizon for the licensed operation (at FCC and NTIA) will also be addressed.

The U.S. market is hyper-focused on providing broadband connectivity beyond the urban areas. With various different sources of federal funding pouring into solving the digital divide, some wireless operators see this as a perfect opportunity to get extra funding to expand their network coverage. But is it possible to cover rural areas without breaking the bank?  

Strategies for resolving the digital divide – bringing meaningful and cost-effective broadband connectivity to the unserved and underserved – have been discussed, and solutions devised and deployed, for decades.   For many years the wireless industry has utilized satellites to reduce the digital divide via satellite backhaul.  However, the ability of cellular backhaul to reduce the digital divide has been limited by factors such as cost, technology, and access.  This panel will explore how recent advances in technology, service offerings, pricing and other factors previously constraining use of satellites to reduce the digital divide have increased the utility of satellites in helping the wireless industry reach the previously unreachable with affordable connectivity.

The FCC deadline for submitting estimates to replace Huawei and ZTE network equipment has passed. Join this panel of rural wireless carriers who are in the midst of their network migration to learn how they are progressing through the FCC’s daunting Reimbursement Program.  Is there enough funding? Are they able to meet their one year timelines? is Open RAN or 5G being deployed? Which vendors were selected? Can they survive or are they folding up shop? This panel will discuss the opportunities and pitfalls of the program and how most rural carriers are taking their Chinese lemons and turning them into lemonade.   

With $42.5B in federal broadband infrastructure spending slated to be distributed to the states, an increase in state legislative broadband activity is already happening.  States across the country are already working to determine how to spend this influx of money and the role of wireless in bringing connectivity is a big part of the discussion. Hear from several leading state broadband programs and learn where they are investing and why.   

5G networks now are moving to a new phase – where operators must densify their 5G network to meet user demands and also to extend coverage indoors and to large venues like stadiums, shopping malls and campuses. But venues typically want to work with one party – not multiple operators.  Some intermediaries, like municipalities, real estate developers and others, are interested in deploying infrastructure in indoor public spaces and dense urban areas and “hosting” customers. This session looks at the role of the neutral host in 5G and whether it is economically and technically feasible for these neutral hosts to provide services.  

5G is far from over but the industry and the academic community are already starting to plan for the next G and 6G research is accelerating. What will 6G have that 5G doesn’t have? Some experts envision 6G will solve problems that 5G has not, such as ubiquitous coverage and super low latency. Others say terraherz spectrum will play a key role in 6G.  This panel will delve into the early concepts for 6G, including the time frame for its development.  

Hyperscalers are now intricately involved in private wireless networks. Amazon Web Services has its AWS Private 5G offering that it pitches as a “starter kit” for enterprises that want a fully managed pay-as-you-go private 5G network.  And Microsoft Azure has its Affirmed Private Network Services, which it touts as a fully managed and configurable private cellular network for both LTE and 5G core networks.  Are these offerings complementary or competitive to wireless operator private networks?   Do cloud companies have an edge with enterprises because they already offer them public cloud services?  This panel will look at the increasingly complex world of private networking.  

If you’ve been considering apprenticeship to help grow a qualified workforce but aren’t sure how to get started, this is the session for you. Joining an existing Registered Apprenticeship program and taking advantage of support and incentives from workforce development experts, can get you up and running in less than six months. Learn the key steps, from planning to execution, to a self-sustaining program that pays dividends in quality and retention. 

Federal agencies are provisioning billions of dollars for broadband expansion and deployment in rural, underserved areas, tribal lands, and unconnected communities throughout the Nation. This panel will examine the ways in which these programs differ and how they can be leveraged for greater deployment of broadband.

For companies to have long-lasting appeal, they need to show that their infrastructure is energy efficient and sustainable because a growing number of investors want to put their money into sustainable assets. This panel will discuss new developments in renewable energy, from solar-powered cell sites to wind-powered backup generators and will look at the costs of transitioning to a more energy efficient model.  

Cloud native is a term that comes from the IT industry that is used to describe the building and running of network functions that take advantage of the cloud computing delivery model. This model allows service providers to develop and deploy networks more quickly, making it possible for them to respond quickly to growth in mobile data traffic and add new services.  Greenfield operator Dish Network, which is deploying a standalone 5G network, has said its network will be cloud-native as well. Some vendors estimate that having a cloud-native network architecture will provide up to 20% operational savings on infrastructure costs.  This panel discussion will look at the benefits of a cloud-native network and whether operators will reap cost savings from moving this direction.  

Private wireless networks are often thought of as being a perfect fit for industrial use cases, including Internet of Things (IoT). While some IoT networks are currently using NB-IoT or CAT-M technologies, some industries are exploring the use of CBRS spectrum to deploy 4G or 5G for a private wireless industrial use. What are the use cases for industrial private networks and how are they different than other enterprise networking applications?   Some industrial private networks are already being deployed today. What are the benefits to this type of deployment?  

2022 has seen a new Chair with the possibility of a new commissioner to be confirmed.  With several big decisions on the horizon, hear how this new leadership will prioritize the issues facing our industry and what changes are likely on the way.   

Industry-academia partnership is crucial for the development and distribution of industry-focused 5G curriculum that meets employers’ workforce needs. Using WIA’s “5G Readiness Training” program in Ohio as the model, this panel will evaluate the needs of 4-year degree universities and community colleges. Lack of funding and trained-faculty members are among the top challenges for many colleges. The panel will not only address these challenges but will also outline solutions and resources to overcome these barriers. The need to bring the 5G curriculum and career awareness into the high schools across the country will also be addressed. 

This year is the first time in many years that most wireless carriers are simultaneously upgrading their networks, or in Dish’s case, building out a new network. At the same time, plans are unfolding in the states and territories to use new federal funds to bring broadband, including mobile broadband, to more places. What does this mean for the various segments of the ecosystem? This panel will explore merger and acquisition opportunities, capital sources and investment scenarios at play as mobile broadband deployments try to keep up with demand. 

In the densest urban footprints, you’ll find small cells mounted to multiple poles, sometimes just feet from one other. Often, there’s space on these poles to accommodate a second tenant, so why isn’t there more colocation?  As carrier focus shifts to deploying C-Band on macro sites, small cells have fallen out of focus in 2022. However, the industry expectation is that the number of small cell deployments will come roaring back in the next few years. It will become increasingly important to facilitate colocation as the number of viable poles decrease. The pros of colocation are strong: fewer objects in the Right of Way (ROW) and reduced deployment costs, faster deployment times. But the challenges are real: carrier interference concerns, sharing metered power, facilitating maintenance windows. This panel focuses on a case study demonstrating the technical, jurisdictional, and strategic solutions around small cell colocation, and what we can do to make it the industry norm.

One of the big challenges of deploying Open RAN is integrating it into the rest of the network. When problem arises in the network, identifying and isolating the cause of that problem can be more difficult because there are typically multiple vendors involved in the process. Some operators rely on their own tech teams to resolve these issues, while others rely on systems integrators. This session will delve into the integration of Open RAN and how challenges around integration are being resolved. 

Enterprises can work with many different types of players if they want to set up a private wireless network —vendors, wireless operators and others are all trying to carve out a piece of this burgeoning area. This panel will address what enterprises need to know to move forward with a private wireless network – from spectrum decisions to hardware and software. This panel serves as a primer for enterprises.  

Supply chain issues have stymied broadband growth throughout 2021 as everything from chips to raw materials have been in short supply.  Fortunately, some help is on the way as legislators look to clear hurdles and get products moving once again.  Hear what moves are being made and what you can expect to improve. 

There are many expansion opportunities internationally for towercos, with significant investments being made by the public tower companies all over the world, but the market is fluid, with significant portfolios in several major markets globally selling for various valuations and with a number of inherent risks as well as opportunities. This panel will explore the outlook and opportunities for tower ownership globally by the companies that own international wireless infrastructure.

For telecom operators, the move from 4G to 5G creates more demands on the network and adds many more layers of complexity. The only way to handle this additional complexity is through automation and artificial intelligence. Many operators are using automation (driven by machine learning and AI) to handle complex tasks so network engineers can focus on network issues.  This session offers a practical guide to using the latest technologies like AI and ML to solve network issues and predict traffic patterns.​​

Enterprises have a number of options when it comes to their wireless networking strategies. Many have used Wi-Fi networks in the past and are comfortable with that technology.  However, one of the advantages of private wireless using 4G or 5G is that it is supposed to deliver more control and reliability as well as security. However, it does require dedicated spectrum. This panel will delve into the pros and cons of each and discuss what enterprises need to know when decided what technology to select.  

Anchor institutions are the cornerstone of many communities. This panel will examine how anchor institutions are stepping to the fore to provide broadband accessibility to communities in urban and rural areas, and how these institutions are collaborating with service providers and government grantees.