Wi-Fi in general and OpenRoaming specifically will enjoy a period of growth this year, according to the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) annual report.
The “WBA Industry Report 2025” found that 81% of executives plan to deploy OpenRoaming, which enables roaming between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. This is an increase of 18.9% compared to 2024. The survey found that 25% are already deploying OpenRoaming, 42% say they will do so next year and 27% plan to in 2026.
The survey results also are encouraging to Wi-Fi more broadly. It found that 60% are more confident in investing in the technology compared to 19% who are less confident and 19% whose opinions are unchanged.
44% of investors in OpenRoaming or Passpoint-compliant networks cited seamless access between Wi-Fi and 5G/LTE as the driver. That was followed by providing improved security on Wi-Fi (43%), “frictionless” access to Wi-Fi (39%), and seamless access across different networks (38%).
The survey found that 37% of respondents have deployed Wi-Fi 6E, 19% have deployed the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, 27% have deployed Wi-Fi Sensing, and 17% have deployed Wi-Fi HaLow.
The survey also looked at the cellular landscape. It found that 20% have deployed CBRS (Citizen Broadband Radio Service), 37% have deployed 5G, 30% have private cellular in the field, and 24% are using distributed antenna systems. 24% are using AI or cognitive access networks.
Other findings from the report:
- 90% reported that 6 GHz spectrum was important to their businesses.
- Network security and privacy (78%) is the most important area of Wi-Fi for respondents. That was followed by monetizing Wi-Fi services (70%), Wi-Fi calling (70%), IoT (68%), roaming (65%), and end-user QoE and QoS (65%).
- 47% of respondents suggested that transportation hubs (stations, airports, etc.) are expected see the greatest traffic growth in 2025. It was followed by retail (38%), ground transportation — the vehicles themselves — at 37.6%.
- 46% plan to deploy city-wide public Wi-Fi by 2026. 23% said this would happen in 2027 and 11% in 2028 or later. 15% have already deployed a city-wide public Wi-Fi network.
“The WBA Industry Report 2025 gives all readers a clear view on the exciting juncture the world of Wi-Fi is at, and the momentum behind technologies such as OpenRoaming, Wi-Fi 7, and Wi-Fi HaLow,” WBA CEO Tiago Rodrigues said in a press release. “Confidence to invest in Wi-Fi is growing, and industry members want to realize the benefits they offer such as lowering costs, simplifying management, and improving the end-user experience.”