A new collaboration between LF Broadband and the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) aims to unite the open source and wireless broadband sectors to accelerate the creation and adoption of carrier-grade broadband solutions.
LF Broadband is an initiative advancing innovation in open-source broadband access. It supports various projects that are reforming broadband networks, such as the SEBA reference design for open broadband networks and the VOLTHA open-source project aimed at virtualizing multi-vendor passive optical network (PON) systems. The LF Broadband Directed Fund was formed in 2023 under the Linux Foundation.
Meanwhile, the WBA works alongside service providers, technology companies, and other organizations to enhance seamless Wi-Fi experiences through efforts like OpenRoaming and operator-managed Wi-Fi standards.
Wireless Broadband Alliance CEO Tiago Rodrigues said, “Collaboration is key to realizing the vision of a truly seamless wireless broadband experience. By working together with LF Broadband, we can align industry standards and open-source initiatives to accelerate innovation in areas such as Open Roaming, Quality of Service (QoS), and Quality of Experience (QoE) strategies across key industry groups.”
Some of the major objectives of this partnership include:
- Industry positioning: The partners will work to harmonize strategy and messaging to lead awareness and adoption of modular, efficient, and highly automated broadband networks.
- Marketing and events: LF Broadband and WBA will participate in joint speaking engagements, demonstrations, and Linux-based reference designs to demonstrate innovative broadband technologies.
- Standards and specifications: The partners will work to advance seamless Wi-Fi experiences, such as operator-managed Wi-Fi and cross-industry QoS/QoE strategies.
Calling the partnership a natural step in the goals shared by LF Broadband and WBA, the Linux Foundation’s General Manager of Networking, Edge & Access, Arpit Joshipura, said, “By bringing together open-source innovation and industry standards, we aim to drive the next generation of broadband connectivity.”