Report reveals strategies for Wi-Fi & Private 5G merger

The Wireless Broadband Alliance has released a comprehensive report detailing strategies for the convergence of Private 5G and Wi-Fi to streamline enterprise network management and reduce operational costs.

The "Private 5G and Wi-Fi Convergence Report: Phase 2 - Technical Considerations" elaborates on advanced architectural strategies and technical solutions that facilitate seamless interworking between the two technologies. This follows the phase 1 report which underscored the pivotal role of Wi-Fi infrastructure in optimising 5G performance.

Since 2017, the Wireless Broadband Alliance has been pivotal in showcasing the benefits of integrating licensed and unlicensed wireless technologies, specifically focusing on 5G and Wi-Fi. These technologies, while technically aligned, are traditionally suited for different use cases and market demands. Innovations such as WBA OpenRoaming and enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) in Wi-Fi have played significant roles in bridging performance disparities, thus reducing costs and enhancing user experiences in varied environments.

The latest report provides a roadmap for enterprises eager to leverage both networks to optimise performance and efficiency. It focuses on the use of high-speed and low-latency capabilities of 5G alongside Wi-Fi's extensive coverage and adaptability to various industry needs.

One of the key architectural proposals outlined in the report is the use of RADIUS-based AAA infrastructure for 5G device authentication. This approach would enable operators to unify identity management and policy enforcement across both network types, facilitating simplified network management and improved user experience.

The report also suggests adopting a Wi-Fi Fast Transition Domain to include Private 5G. This involves a standardised method for using session keys generated in 3GPP access for fast roaming. This would significantly reduce Wi-Fi access connection establishment times by up to 90% during transitions from private 3GPP access to Wi-Fi.

An additional exploration in the report includes preserving IP addresses and enabling seamless mobility for user equipment. This allows devices to attach to both Wi-Fi and Private 5G networks, maintaining their IP configurations and supporting application-binding based on user equipment policies for optimised connectivity.

Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, stated, "The convergence and coexistence of Wi-Fi and Private 5G play an important role in shaping the future of wireless networking. It will not only help establish the standards needed to ensure its technical success for operators, network owners, enterprises and users, but provide clear advice on the architectural considerations for such converged implementations. In many environments, the coexistence of Wi-Fi and Private 5G is essential, and there is significant value in realising synergies between these two technologies to increase competitiveness and reduce operational costs by the elimination of redundant functions, simplifying management, and greatly improving end-user experiences."

Looking forward to 2025, the Wireless Broadband Alliance plans to spearhead the development of new industry standards for the convergence, including RAT Roaming and Access Traffic Steering and Switching (ATSSS). These standards aim to set new benchmarks in network interoperability, security, and user-focused services.

Cisco's Wireless CTO, Matt MacPherson, echoed these sentiments, saying, "Wi-Fi meets the demands of most enterprise customers. However, the convergence of Wi-Fi and Private 5G elevates capabilities by offering policy-based segmentation aligned with business needs. By combining Wi-Fi and Private 5G with a unified policy, enterprises gain control. Cisco is excited to collaborate on this pioneering report, which provides the architectural and technical guidance enterprises need to leverage the combined strengths of both networks."