Connectivity Q&A: Inside The Wi-Fi Alliance And The Future Of Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global network of companies that not only brings you one of the world's most valued technologies but has helped catapult wireless technology into higher levels of service. Jeremy Foland provides insight into the Wi-Fi Alliance — showing us how the Alliance has advanced the wireless connectivity we all have come to use and love.

Who is the Wi-Fi Alliance?

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a consortium of companies, customers, carriers, and other organizations in the Wi-Fi ecosystem working together to enable and promote open wireless communications — what we call Wi-Fi — using standards-based wireless networking technologies. The Alliance is the international advocate for the ubiquitous mobile communications we now use in our homes, companies, cities, and in private and public venues, like cafés, stadiums, etc.

How does the Wi-Fi Alliance affect or manage the Wi-Fi standards?

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) writes the standards that dictate what technical specifications Wi-Fi must adhere to. The Wi-Fi Alliance is not responsible for the specs; they are in the IEEE’s domain.