TIP OpenWiFi is an open source-based architecture that enables multi-vendor, interoperable Wi-Fi networks
Boingo Wireless has become the first Telecom Infra Project (TIP) participant to adopt TIP OpenWiFi to help it quickly expand its commercial Wi-Fi 6E network. By leveraging TIP’s solution, Boingo can mix and match additional access points and controllers from any OpenWiFi-compliant manufacturer, easily increasing capacity and efficiency for applications like video streaming and conferencing, gaming and the metaverse.
TIP OpenWiFi is an open source-based Wi-Fi architecture that enables multi-vendor, interoperable Wi-Fi networks. Last year, Co-Chair of the TIP Open Converged Wireless Group Chris Busch told RCR Wireless News that the idea behind OpenWiFi is to “unlock premium Wi-Fi features” without vendor lock in. “Operators are resonating really well with choice of platform and choice of cloud. The next obvious step was having a seamless onboarding experience on top of that choice,” he said.
According to Dr. Derek Peterson, CTO at Boingo Wireless, this open ecosystem is necessary “to keep pace with 5G demands and exponential growth in network traffic.”
“Wireless technologies are converging and becoming more interoperable. Open-source solutions like TIP OpenWiFi bring together the cloud, software, and hardware, simplifying network architecture for more streamlined, scalable Wi-Fi deployments within the enterprise,” he continued.
OpenWiFi is a free, disaggregated Wi-Fi software system launched in May 2021 and includes both a cloud controller SDK and Access Point (AP) firmware, capable of running on a variety of Indoor and outdoor AP hardware and software. Additional TIP OpenWiFi participant companies include Meta, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, MTN, Qualcomm and others.
“In launching the first large-scale Wi-Fi 6E commercial deployment utilizing TIP’s OpenWiFi for Wi-Fi 6E, and enabling the next generation of Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, Boingo Wireless continues to demonstrate their leadership role in wireless innovation,” said Chetan Hebbalae, co-chair, Wi-Fi Solution Group of TIP. “Like Boingo we are planning to support convergence architectures, building on top of TIP OpenWiFi’s open source solution interoperability, in support of private wireless, Augmented reality (AR) and 5G use cases.”
