Key Insights from the WBA Industry Report 2026: Wi-Fi 7, AI, and the Future of Connectivity

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has unveiled its highly anticipated Industry Report 2026, shedding light on the latest trends and insights within the Wi-Fi, cellular, and enterprise ecosystems. Based on feedback from 185 participants worldwide, the report reveals growing confidence in Wi-Fi technologies, groundbreaking advancements with Wi-Fi 7, and the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming connectivity. These developments highlight Wi-Fi’s continued dominance as the backbone of enterprise flexibility, especially as industries embrace converged networks for seamless integration of Wi-Fi and 5G.

Wi-Fi 7 and AI: Cornerstones of Future Connectivity

One of the standout findings from the WBA report is the growing interest in Wi-Fi 7. According to the survey, 38% of participants plan to adopt Wi-Fi 7 by 2026, making it the most anticipated technology in the connectivity space. With advanced features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and improved spectrum efficiency, Wi-Fi 7 is positioned to revolutionize performance in dense environments, enhance network resilience, and reduce latency. These features are critical for industries relying on reliable wireless infrastructure.

Additionally, AI-driven networks are gaining substantial momentum, with 32% of respondents planning to deploy AI and cognitive technologies to optimize their networks. By leveraging AI, organizations can enhance operational efficiency, improve reliability, and automate aspects of network management. This shift will reduce costs while delivering superior user experiences, an essential factor in today’s hyper-connected economy.

Converged Networks and the Role of OpenRoaming

The synergy between Wi-Fi and 5G has emerged as a key theme in the report. An overwhelming 60% of respondents agree that combining these technologies enhances enterprise flexibility, demonstrating that Wi-Fi and 5G are complementary rather than competitive. This collaboration allows businesses to harness the strengths of both technologies for robust, seamless connectivity.

The survey also highlights the growing adoption of OpenRoaming, a framework that simplifies seamless onboarding and roaming between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. Currently, 38% of respondents have implemented OpenRoaming or Passpoint networks, with an additional 32% planning to do so by 2026. The primary drivers for this investment include enabling frictionless Wi-Fi access (63%), seamless transitions between Wi-Fi and 5G/LTE (60%), and unified access across different networks (40%). These advancements underscore the critical importance of seamless connectivity in today’s interconnected world.

Security, Quality, and Business Continuity

Security and privacy are paramount for businesses adopting advanced Wi-Fi solutions. The WBA report notes that 76% of respondents list network security as their top priority, with enterprises focusing heavily on safeguarding sensitive data in an increasingly digital landscape. Other key concerns include delivering superior end-user experiences and ensuring authentication processes are both secure and seamless. These elements remain crucial to supporting business continuity, especially as organizations depend on uninterrupted connectivity.

The report also identifies significant features of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, such as Mandatory WPA3 compliance and OFDMA uplink/downlink, which address issues like spectrum efficiency and network reliability. By meeting these emerging needs, businesses are well-positioned to embrace the next frontier of wireless innovation while maintaining robust, secure operations.

Conclusion: Wi-Fi as Essential Infrastructure

Tiago Rodrigues, President and CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, summarized these findings by emphasizing the essential nature of Wi-Fi in modern infrastructure. “Connectivity is business continuity,” he stated, highlighting how innovations like Wi-Fi 7, AI, and OpenRoaming are reshaping the industry. As enterprises, operators, and urban environments increasingly rely on Wi-Fi for critical operations, it’s clear that the technology will play an indispensable role in fostering innovation, growth, and seamless connectivity across the globe.

For more insights, visit the WBA Industry Report 2026.