Canada! A Wi-Fi industry leader.. but how did that happen?

Some countries are quiet - and end up doing the right thing without a lot of fanfare... Which is precisely what happened last week as Canada became the first country in the world to authorise standard power 6 GHz Wi-Fi - even ahead of the US. To be honest we're not totally sure how it happened because the Canadians have been on board for full-band 6 GHz Wi-Fi since the beginning (pretty much) and have been quietly chugging along.. then last week this.

So what does this mean for Canadians and the Wi-Fi industry? Well - it means that we're finally up and running with the promise & vision first spearheaded by FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai of April 2020. Connectivity is king - and during the next couple of years, North America (and parts of LatAm & Asia too) will be leading the 6 GHz connectivity revolution. Canada has a real chance at becoming the visionary leader and show all the world what gigabit connectivity can do for consumers, businesses, industry, everyone. And I'm sure they will.

So does all this new Wi-Fi stuff really matter? Here's my vision: Driving down the cost per bit delivered is a necessary condition for economic growth and innovation - that means benefits on the level of the individual and for society - and particularly of course for businesses large and small. That's the big point here. And if there ever were a time when the world needs it - it's now.

So for once (!!) the politicians did the right thing, or at least some of them. The rest is up to us - meaning the Wi-Fi industry including all the passionate individuals and great companies contained within it - as well as of course all the newcomers. As always: #Everybodyiswelcome.

Sadly, it is a big disappointment that my own continent - Europe - is still lagging far, far behind on unlicensed 6 GHz spectrum. We're still waiting for European politicians to do the right thing for the people and liberal businesses of Europe. I belong to those who believe that even China will eventually come right and choose the full 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi. But hey - European politicians! - we can race out ahead of even the Chinese by making the right decisions now!

Finally: I've always been touched by the down-to-earth honesty and commitment of Wi-Fi people. This is one of the big reasons why I got involved in this business in the first place - frankly, in an escape from the grind of corporate giants. Yet even most corporate giants involved in (and driving) Wi-Fi have maintained plenty of the Wi-Fi ideology: A technology to connect all, for the benefit of all.

And of course as usual we will be diving into innovation and opportunity when we kick off WWC Toronto on September 18-20! There's no shortage of opportunities to discuss - including of course Wi-Fi 7, the latest in residential Wi-Fi, next generation connectivity for the enterprise, the tech & business of NaaS, large public venues, Matter, sensing, 60 GHz use cases, and much more.

Now it's time for YOU to make plans to join us (and more than FORTY great participating companies plus plenty more expert speakers) in the great city of Toronto, Ontario for WWC Toronto - and you've gotta hurry because tickets are going fast. Welcome to the world's most dynamic, enjoyable, and meaningful tech community. Go here and register - see you soon!

/Claus.