WBA updates residential Wi-Fi management framework

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has released an updated framework for residential Wi-Fi network management.

The updated “Operator Managed Wi-Fi (OMWi): Reference Architecture and Requirements” technical report introduces enhanced specifications and includes open-source implementations from partners including the prpl Foundation and RDK-B.

The framework integrates several key industry standards such as Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi EasyMesh and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Data Elements, alongside Broadband Forum’s User Services Platform (USP) Data Models.

Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the WBA, said: “The updated OMWi framework is a key step forward in helping operators better manage the residential Wi-Fi experience for their customers, which has become the principal way devices access the internet in the home.

“Introducing open-source OMWi compliant implementations will drive greater cross industry interoperability for data collection, remote management and mesh formation.”

Major industry players including Airties, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom, and CommScope have demonstrated solutions based on the architecture, highlighting growing industry support.

The framework addresses several critical aspects of residential Wi-Fi management, including standardised management protocols, enhanced architecture for multi-AP mesh networks, streamlined deployment processes, and advanced self-healing capabilities.

Metin Taskin, WBA Board Member and CEO of Airties, commented: “This OMWi 2.0 report specifies the industry standards and open-source solutions to simplify integrations and deployments, enabling ISPs to focus more of their efforts on improving the quality of experience for their broadband customers.”

Nokia, which co-chairs the WBA OMWi Reference Architecture working group, has already deployed the world’s first production version of its Corteca Home Controller with Singtel, supporting end-to-end Wi-Fi management based on OMWi.

Pedro Caldeira dos Santos, Executive Head of Broadband Products and Services at Deutsche Telekom, commented: “Deutsche Telekom is proud to contribute to the OMWi initiative, which marks a transformative step in the evolution of residential Wi-Fi.

“By integrating open standards and fostering cross-industry collaboration, the OMWi framework empowers operators to deliver a seamless, high-quality Wi-Fi experience to millions of customers worldwide. This effort underscores our commitment to innovation, interoperability, and ensuring that our customers enjoy the best in connectivity solutions.”

Looking ahead, the WBA plans to launch Phase 3 in 2025, which will introduce a compliance programme including an expanded telemetry component and endorsed testing suite. This will provide vendors and service providers with a path to OMWi certification.

(Photo by Jadon Kelly)

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Tags: airties, broadband, commscope, connectivity, deutsche telekom, management, network, Networks, nokia, Operators, residential, telecoms, wba, wi-fi, wifi, wireless broadband alliance