Artificial intelligence (AI) can improve broadband infrastructure and contribute to profits and time-to-market provided it’s used correctly in the pre-deployment phases of broadband rollout, the World Broadband Association (WBBA) recently announced.
In one of four whitepapers launched at the WBBA Broadband Development Congress (BDC), the WBBA outlined the current and potential uses of AI during the pre-deployment phases of broadband networks, looking at how it can assist in network planning and expansion decisions. Consequently, operators can ensure infrastructure is rolled out at the right locations, with the right technologies, and within optimised return on investment (ROI) scenarios.
“The pre-deployment phases in broadband are periods of decision-making and network planning before infrastructure is rolled out or upgraded,” said Martin Creaner, Director General of the WBBA. “It’s an ideal environment for AI to make an impact, and if its models are supported by the right data and algorithms, then it can be used to help operators predict the return on their investments much more accurately.”
The WBBA also announced its ‘Gigacity Index 2025’, ranking cities from 30 countries worldwide in terms of broadband sophistication. The first index assesses cities such as Singapore, Shanghai, New York, Madrid and Zurich, ranking their broadband capabilities and highlighting the policies, investments and advancements that led them to become ‘Gigacities’. Metrics that were considered in the index include a city’s network infrastructure, such as FTTH coverage and 106 PON availability, network connectivity, and broadband experience.
Net5.5G was also a key consideration of the WBBA at BDC Barcelona. Having defined Net5.5G architecture in the ‘Network Evolution for the 5.5G and 6G Era’ whitepaper in June 2024, the WBBA has now published use cases from across five continents which demonstrate successful Net5.5G scenarios and functionalities from operators, carriers and other key industry players.
This range of use cases demonstrates how the Net5.5G architecture is being deployed by operators and stakeholders around the world, and reflects the sustainable evolution of data communication networks (DCNs).
“Our Network Technology working group (WG4) continues to lead the way where Net5.5G is concerned,” added Creaner. “Not only is this team sharing vision, roles and requirements for Net5.5G, but are also developing an end-to-end blueprint for network evolution for the 5G Advanced and 6G era. We are excited by the potential of Net5.5G to help realise the promise of digital transformation in a fully connected intelligent world.”
Attendees at BDC Barcelona also saw the GSMA 5G Voice over Wi-Fi Task Force (which includes GSMA, WBBA, Wireless Broadband Alliance among others) present a new report on VoWiFi – more commonly known as Wi-Fi Calling – which has been deployed by numerous operators worldwide in the last decade. Effectively integrating wireless and wired networks to realise seamless indoor and outdoor coverage, the concept is designed to provide users with ubiquitous, high-quality voice services.
The report considers the reasons why Wi-Fi calling is needed for a range of scenarios and services. The task force also considers the new requirements emerging for Wi-Fi calling in the 5G era.
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