What lessons can we learn from the 25-year-old Wi-Fi Alliance?

Wi-Fi has become as essential to modern life as plumbing and electricity —something we often take for granted but is indispensable in our daily routines. At the heart of this global success story is the Wi-Fi Alliance, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year — a milestone truly worth celebrating.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have been part of this journey, working alongside others who share a vision of ubiquitous connectivity that helped guide the Wi-Fi Alliance’s development.

The need for a unified approach and global standards

The origins of Wi-Fi can be traced back to the early 1990s, when various companies began experimenting with wireless communication technologies. The IEEE 802.11 standard, which underpins Wi-Fi, started gaining momentum, and by the late '90s, it was evident that this would become the foundation for wireless local area networks (LANs). At that time, Nokia, was deeply involved in exploring multiple wireless technologies which would eventually position Nokia as a key contributor to the future development of Wi-Fi. At Nokia we always believed in multiple technologies. No single solution could suit every case, and that’s why we invested in wireless LANs early on.

However, the initial IEEE 802.11 standard fell short in defining how to test and ensure technology compatibility. In response the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) was established in 1999, rebranding as the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2002. The role of the Alliance was not to be just a standards organization but a collaborative body where companies contributed to driving Wi-Fi forward.

In 1999 the Mission Statement of WECA was to: “… certify interoperability of IEE 802.11 High Rate wireless networking products and promote that standard for the enterprise, small business and the home.” It wasn’t just about making sure devices worked—it was about ensuring that devices from different manufacturers could function together seamlessly.

Ensuring interoperability

One of the biggest challenges was harmonizing standards across regions. At that time, companies were experimenting with their own standards, and Nokia was working on a European version of wireless LAN.  The goal was to create a global standard, and that meant overcoming significant challenges, especially in the realm of spectrum allocation. Opening the 5 GHz band for global use became a priority, knowing that Wi-Fi traffic would grow exponentially. This was a strategic decision for Nokia as we knew Wi-Fi would carry an increasing amount of traffic in the future.

The regulatory hurdles were also significant, with industries concerned about potential radio interference. I recall lengthy discussions around coexistence, especially in Europe where many legacy systems were in place, including defence systems. Every step forward was met with debate.

Most significantly, the creation of a global standard wasn’t just about one company’s vision. The Alliance was built on the work of many individuals; participation wasn’t based on a company’s size but on the merit of individual contributions. In the early days, small groups of 20-30 people from both sides of the Atlantic were working together towards the same goal.

Wi-Fi – one name to connect all

Selecting a name for the new standard was thankfully a simpler task. At the 1999 Networld/Interop trade show in Atlanta, we introduced “Wi-Fi”—a term inspired by “Hi-Fi”—and it instantly resonated over other potential names like Torchlight, Skyway, and Dragonfly. I doubt any of us back then could have imagined the name would become as familiar as it is today, a brand synonymous with one of the most impactful technological advancements of our time.

Connecting to the future

Nokia’s involvement within the Wi-Fi Alliance didn’t just benefit the company, open global standardization promoted by the Wi-Fi Alliance has helped foster a competitive market, which in turn drives innovation.

Today, Wi-Fi is crucial for offloading mobile traffic and will play a key role in IoT and smart cities of the future. I’m excited about its potential in expanding connectivity, particularly in remote areas. The recent opening of the 6 GHz band feels like a natural progression of our work years ago to open the 5 GHz spectrum. We couldn’t have predicted just how vital Wi-Fi would become, and I’m proud that we were always pushing for new bands and wider adoption.

Looking ahead, Wi-Fi is poised to continue its dominance in wireless communication, especially with new standards like Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7.

When everyone has a voice, good ideas rise to the top

One of the key reasons the Wi-Fi Alliance has been successful for 25 years is its collaborative nature. The Wi-Fi Alliance is a reminder that no company can build a technology ecosystem alone. It takes global cooperation where contributions are valued based on their quality, not on the size of the company behind them. While board members from larger companies may have more influence in some areas, when it comes to the technical work, credibility and meaningful contributions carry more weight.

This culture of openness and collaboration in technical work is what makes the Wi-Fi Alliance work so well—everyone has a voice, and good ideas rise to the top. 

It’s important to highlight the respect and cooperation that drives progress. The Wi-Fi Alliance's approach of acknowledging contributions from all members, accommodating different opinions, and working flexibly has led to its continued success. In many ways, it’s a model of how global cooperation should work. I’m grateful to have been a part of its journey. Wi-Fi’s story isn’t just one of technological success; it’s a testament to what can be achieved when people work together toward a shared vision.

The whole world could learn a lesson or two from the 25-year-old Wi-Fi Alliance.