Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2023. Read them in this 15th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
Looking Forward to the Evolution of the Wireless Industry
By Walter Cannon, VP of Business
Development for ZenFi Networks
2022 was a year of sizable evolution across
the Wireless industry. While the industry continued to deal with the aftermath
of the COVID-19 pandemic, stakeholders began to look at the needs and trends of
the post-pandemic world. Looking back, the pandemic shined a bright light on
the glaring digital needs of underserved communities in our society, which has
driven many of the initiatives and choices of decision makers over the past
year. As we continue to navigate the post pandemic world, it's clear that many
of the digital needs which the pandemic exposed, are just as necessary in normal
times as they are in unprecedented ones. These include the development of smart
communities and the continued expansion of existing digital infrastructure. As
we continue to learn more about 5G, and new wireless spectrums, we expect to
see the development of new applications that take advantage of that new power.
This can apply to niches including telemedicine, education, cloud services
expansion, as well as enterprise networking.
Additionally, we've continued to observe the
increasing need for the development of smart communities. It's been proven
throughout the pandemic, and in its aftermath, that we have to provide the
public their "4th utility," broadband. The expansion of wireless technology and
infrastructure is key, from basic broadband to the installation of more small
cell radios for better transmission among communities. The need to expand
shared digital infrastructure is crucial. This infrastructure needs to not only
account and integrate small cell radios but also end building. C-RAN technology
has long been a desired initiative of many in the industry, and by centralizing
its development based on a shared infrastructure model, initiatives of carrier
partners such as Wi-Fi 6, 6E, 5G or 6G can be driven forward.
With the continued conversion of variance of
Wi-Fi technology, everything has continued to become more digitized, moving
from analog to digital. As that trend continues, it opens up more avenues for
applications to be developed. In order to continue to advance the development
of smart communities, from rural communities to NYC, more economics have to be
driven into the equipment. This holds true especially when it comes to open
Wi-Fi, open roaming, and open RAN technology. Industry leaders need to continue
to find more and more ways to digitize communities and enhance access.
With these identified upcoming trends and
challenges, the New York and New Jersey metropolitan markets are in constant
need of advancing digital infrastructure for new businesses and longtime
veterans alike. As an ever-growing and changing landscape, the digital
infrastructure industry is constantly evolving to meet the demands of all
markets, especially this major one.
Looking forward to 2023, we at ZenFi look
forward to playing a key role in the trends and challenges facing our industry.
We're ecstatic about the expansion and execution of our planned initiatives,
with ZenFi joining BAI's growing portfolio of US-based digital infrastructure
companies, including Mobilitie and Transit
Wireless. With the host of different companies that are now under
the BAI umbrella, we anticipate playing a leading role in the industry when it
comes to small cell delivery, end delivery, signal distribution, and building
out smart communities. The acquisition of ZenFi brings BAI over 1,100 fiber
route miles in New York and New Jersey, 65 points of presence, a number of
unique C-RAN solutions, as well as a portfolio of customers including wireless
carriers. Our network architecture features a high-capacity fronthaul fiber
network that links thousands of wireless siting locations across the New
York/New Jersey market, interconnected by network edge colocation facilities,
and powered by a core backhaul network. This allows us the ability to deliver
and deploy faster, more cost efficient C-RAN solutions. ZenFi anticipates the
continued growth of shared infrastructure in the coming years. With that, we
welcome the opportunity to serve as an example for future smart communities as
they continue to be developed across the globe. The implementation and
execution of this digital infrastructure technology is applicable to any major
US city, and we anticipate future development opportunities within those metro
markets.
Additionally, BAI inherited ZenFi's rights to
provide mobile infrastructure solutions for 4,000 LinkNYC and
Link5G kiosks across New York City. Unveiled earlier in 2022, Link5G
expands upon LinkNYC's free WiFi program by adding 5G capabilities to the
kiosks throughout New York City, with the goal of bridging the digital divide
in New York City by bringing free connectivity options to underserved
communities. The rights to provide support to the LinkNYC program present an
opportunity to further an expansive public 5G initiative, and help to deliver
the future of mobile internet to the City. ZenFi and BAI's combined team of
experienced industry leaders, and unified capabilities will help us position
ourselves as a leading provider of 5G infrastructure, both in the US and
worldwide.
The digital needs for 2023 and beyond are sure
to require innovative, forward thinking solutions, from the continued
development of smart communities, to the implementation of shared
infrastructure and C-RAN technology. We anticipate 2023 to be a year to remain
observant of trends across the industry, and proactive when it comes to finding
solutions to the challenges that come along with them. ZenFi Networks is excited
for the year ahead and to continue to work towards a better digital future.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
As the Vice President of Business
Development for ZenFi Networks, Walter leverages more than 30 years of
technology sales and executive management experience. Walter's expertise, which
spans the wireless, wholesale and enterprise markets, has led sales teams in
the efficient delivery of network solutions that enable customers to grow their
businesses more effectively. Prior to ZenFi Networks, Walter served as the Vice
President of Sales and Marketing at Metro|NS, where he effectively developed sales
strategies and helped to forge strong relationships with both vendors and
clients. Walter has held senior management positions in sales, marketing and
business development, focusing on start-ups and emerging technologies. He
received a degree in Liberal Arts with a focus in Engineering and Mathematics
from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.