The potential availability of additional spectrum will greatly enhance Wi-Fi
On June 20th, we celebrate World Wi-Fi Day. Why? Because Wi-Fi is part of life. We often neglect the importance of this technology in our daily lives. Wi-Fi encompasses much more than just education, medicine, remote working or business. It enables us to video call our family and friends across vast distances. It plays a significant role in making smart cities a reality, empowers economic empowerment for remote areas, and most importantly, it could connects us to a better world, if we are able to define and deliver an human centred and sustainable strategy for the digital transition.
Wi-Fi allows us to accomplish our priorities with the help of fast, high-capacity, energy-efficient wireless. Wi-Fi is quick and easy to deploy and use. Furthermore, Wi-Fi is affordable and potentially more inclusive.
But Wi-Fi could soon be worth a lot more. This technology is not stagnant; it is constantly evolving to become more efficient and faster, while also extending its reach to more people. Moreover, the potential availability of additional spectrum will greatly enhance this essential communication technology.
This improved Wi-Fi will play a crucial role in delivering virtual reality, facilitating the Internet of Things, advancing eHealth services, and fostering even greater social and economic benefits than ever before.
The future communications landscape will rely on a combination of fiber, 4G, 5G, and satellite technologies. Together, they will shape the communications mix of the future. As Wi-Fi continues to improve, it will contribute significantly to the social and economic advancement of European lives, health, work, and businesses. Furthermore, the growing number of devices dedicated to enhancing connectivity will undoubtedly support this progress.
According to a recent report from IDC Research, it is projected that a staggering 3.8 billion Wi-Fi devices will be shipped globally in 2023 alone. Out of this total, Europe is expected to account for approximately 721 million Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi-enabled devices are everywhere, ranging from access points and smartphones to laptops, security cameras, and smart plugs. Moreover, we can anticipate a growing number of devices incorporating Wi-Fi functionality in the years ahead.
Other technologies, such as fiber to the home (FTTH), are contributing significantly to the expansion of Wi-Fi. FTTH serves as a crucial enabler of Wi-Fi within households, and its availability is increasing for a larger population. According to the latest Market Panorama report, conducted for the FTTH Council Europe by iDate, the total number of homes passed with FTTH/B [fibre to the home/business] in the EU39 reached 219 million homes in September 2022, compared to nearly 198.4 million in September 2021. Looking ahead, the forecasts for FTTH/B from 2023 to 2028 indicate significant progress. It is projected that approximately 211 million homes will have FTTH/B coverage in the EU27+UK by 2028, and 308 million homes in the EU39 region by the same year. These estimates demonstrate a positive trend in the expansion of fiber connectivity, indicating increased potential for Wi-Fi adoption and usage.
The EU has recognized the vital importance of Wi-Fi in bridging the digital divide, stimulating economies, and providing internet access to millions of people. An example of their commitment is the WiFi4EU initiative, which aims to offer public Wi-Fi access in towns and cities throughout the Union. This initiative is part of the EU’s broader efforts to promote connectivity, enhance digital inclusion, and foster the benefits of Wi-Fi technology for individuals and communities across Europe.
Wi-Fi also has a lot to offer the EU’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, which have been a central focus of policymaking in recent years and are among the EU’s top priorities. For example, the European Union’s 2022 Digital Strategy outlines a fresh vision that specifically addresses the digital transformation opportunities in a post-pandemic context. Furthermore, Europe’s Digital Decade policy program establishes clear targets and objectives to be achieved by 2030. These goals encompass various critical areas, including the development of digital skills, the establishment of secure and sustainable digital infrastructures, the digital transformation of businesses, and the digitalization of public services.
Meanwhile the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act are designed to ensure a safer digital environment, protect the fundamental rights of users, and promote fair competition among businesses.
The European Commission even has a strategy for a modern and digitally transformed Commission. All of this will involve internet access – and the EU has also made fast internet access a priority.
Wi-Fi can help make much of this happen, including bringing about faster, better, and more widely available internet access to support digital transformation for both institutions and consumers across the EU. Wi-Fi is already playing a major role in connecting cities and communities around the world, and it has the potential to do even more and even better.
World Wi-Fi day is here. It is important that on the 20th of June, the EU continue to add its voice to so many others, driving the development of WI-FI as an important tool to achieve the goals of the digital decade.
Why should we celebrate World Wi-Fi Day? Because Wi-Fi matters! It touches every facet of life, and its significance, combined with other technologies, will open the door to a more inclusive, sustainable and vibrant society in the coming years.
Carlos Zorrinho is a Socialist and Democrat (S&D) group member of the ITRE Committee at the European Parliament. In the previous legislature he was the Rapporteur on Regulation (EU) 2017/1953 “Promotion of internet connectivity in local communities” establishing the WIFI4EU initiative.
World Wi-Fi Day is a unique worldwide initiative organized by Wireless Broadband Alliance under the leadership of Connected Communities Forum.
