Wireless Communications Association International
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The Wireless Communications Association International (WCA) is the non-profit trade association for the broadband wireless industry with over 260 member companies on six continents representing the bulk of the sector's leading carriers, vendors and system integrators. Founded in 1988, the association is comprised of companies focused on utilizing licensed and unlicensed frequencies between 900 MHz and 80+ GHz. The WCA's mission is to advance the interests of the wireless carriers that provide high-speed data, Internet, voice and video services on broadband spectrum through land-based systems using reception/transmit devices in all broadband spectrum bands. As the global voice of the broadband wireless industry, WCA is an established leader in government relations, technology standards and industry event organization.
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[edit] Conventions, conferences and worldwide services
The WCA works closely with conference organizers from trade associations, government bodies and leading private organizations to provide high-level speaking opportunities for its members worldwide. Each year, the WCA organizes its own conferences and exhibitions that provide the world's largest showcase for the latest technology, business and government regulatory information. The WCA'a 13th Annual International Symposium & Business Expo will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA January 16-19th, 2007, followed in June by the WCA 2007 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC June 11-14.
[edit] Technical expertise and worldwide standards
The WCA Engineering Committee is a proven forum and advocacy center for the most pressing standards and regulatory issues facing the broadband wireless industry. The Committee has nine task forces addressing vital technical, regulatory, interoperability and standards issues. Its mission is to provide operator/carrier leadership on key technical issues that will advance broadband wireless deployment. The WCA's Symposium, the most visible element of the Committee's work, annually gathers leading representatives of the industry to provide guidance on technical issues that are vital to successful broadband wireless access.
[edit] WCA's Global Development Committee
Spectrum bands such as 2.5/2.6 , 2.3 and 3.5-3.6 GHz hold great potential to serve as global bands for wireless broadband services. They provide true broadband data speeds, and accommodate high-bandwidth applications for a large audience of wireless customers. Globally harmonized spectrum, flexible use, consistent regulatory treatment, and interoperability among service providers are required in order for such bands to serve as global band for wireless broadband services. To advance this goal, the WCA Board of Directors has created the WCA Global Development Committee (GDC) to provide a vehicle for industry participants to propose the globalization of these bands. The GDC's initial focus has been on the 2.5-2.6 GHz band, but is expanding to the 2.3 and 3.5-3.6 GHz bands according to the desires of participants. Assisting the WCA in advocating global harmonization in the regulatory treatment of the broadband wireless bands. The Committee's objectives include sharing up to date global regulatory information, encouraging innovation in the utilization of the broadband wireless bands globally, fostering growth of global interoperability agreements among operators utilizing broadband wireless bands, serving as a source point for global interoperability discussions and advancing WCA's ongoing efforts to serve as a resource for entrants into new broadband wireless markets.
[edit] Government relations
WCA's government relations efforts are guided by a highly proactive committee comprised of the industry's major operators. This group directs the WCA's Engineering Committee and outside consultants in activities designed to have the greatest possible impact on a wide variety of federal, state and international issues. On retainer to monitor developments affecting the broadband wireless industry for the WCA and its members is a prominent international communications law firm Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer. WCA Co-Counsel Paul J. Sinderbrand and Robert Primosch of Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer are frequent speakers at broadband wireless conferences and high-level financial forums. In addition, they are highly effective advocates before the FCC, United States Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, United States Justice Department, in Washington, state capitals, and the judicial system. Mr. Sinderbrand's expertise on the interface between government policy and such technical concerns as fixed wireless interference protections, cellular networking and standards-setting has helped him achieve prominence before the Government Relations Department at the FCC on broadband applications.
[edit] Industry leadership
WCA's President is Andrew Kreig, an attorney active in public affairs and a frequent commentator on advanced communications issues. Listed in Who's Who in the World and a widely published author, he has spoken on five continents at the world's leading conferences on broadband wireless issues. The majority of the world's broadband wireless operators are WCA members, participating in WCA's decision-making with the most pro-active vendors to achieve high-impact results. Volunteer leaders from both large and small companies guide WCA's activities and build the industry through cost-effective group action. The WCA is a leader in numerous issues vital to the success of the wireless broadband industry, including regulatory filings, spectrum management, technical standards, protection against interference, unfair taxation of emerging wireless services and pro-competitive rules for inside wiring, roof rights and interconnection.
[edit] International Focus
WCA’s latest initiative to spur greater member and industry interest in wireless broadband network development abroad has taken the shape of a series of international web portals, designed with the goal of driving investment and deployment in new and exciting markets. With sites for India and Russia on the way, WCA is currently showcasing the latest wireless developments in Brazil and South Korea.
[edit] Brazil's Next Generation Trials
Brazil's designation of the 3.5 GHz band for WiMAX, its launch of metro Wi-Fi services and its trials of Next Generation pre-WiMAX broadband wireless technology in the 2.5-2.7 GHz band represent a breakthrough in advanced technology for one of the world’s largest markets. The 2.5 GHz trials beginning in July and August of 2006 were described at WCA 2006 in Washington, DC. Headlining the program was the CEO of TVA, which is also part of Grupo Abril and the major licensee in 2.5 GHz band. Featured also was equipment supplier Samsung and engineering consultant LCC International, each members of WCA's Board of Directors who described the 2.5 GHz trials and the expected transition into rollouts by other members of NEOTEC, the association of Brazilian operators in the band. Regarding the 3.5 GHz WiMAX frequencies, the annual equipment opportunity in Brazil will increase from US $1 million in 2005 to US $33 million in 2010, according to a report by Maravedis Research excerpted on this site. It predicts that the 2.5 GHz market opportunity also will become substantial, with shipments projected at US $31 million by 2010, which would represent a slightly slower adoption than 3.5 GHz. Brazilian regulators have announced auctions for the 3.5 GHz band scheduled to begin in late 2006.
[edit] Korea's WiBro Launch
Korea’s launch of Next Generation WiBro broadband wireless technology in the 2.3 GHz band was formally launched on June 29, 2006. A delegation of experts from the Republic of Korea, the carrier KT Corp. and suppliers Samsung and POSDATA spoke that day at WCA 2006 in Washington, DC about the launch. A statement commemorating the occasion by Republic of Korea Ambassador to the United States Taesik Lee said, “What works for Korea works for the world.”
