The WCAI: An Overview

The Wireless Communications Association International (WCAI) is the non-profit trade association for the Wireless Broadband industry.  The WCAI’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.  The WCAI is an established leader in government relations, technology standards and industry event organization.

Conventions, Conferences and Worldwide Services

Founded in 1988, the WCAI remains in the forefront of technological and business developments. The association is comprised of companies focused on utilizing frequencies between 900 MHz and 64 GHz, encompassing licensed and unlicensed bands. The WCAI 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 WCAI organizes its own conference and exhibition that provides the world's largest showcase for the latest technology, business and government regulatory information. The WCAI's 21st annual exhibition WCA 2008 was held in April in Washington, DC with 120 speakers.

Technical Expertise and Worldwide Standards

The WCAI 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 wireless broadband deployment.  The WCAI’s annual 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.  The WCAI's 15th Annual International Symposium will be co-located with 4G World and is scheduled for September 15, 2009 in Chicago. The Symposium will feature an expert-driven agenda attracting a broad audience of key executives and technical professionals from all of the industry stakeholders, including telecoms, service providers, enterprise, government, media and content. Each of these constituents has a major stake in the future of one of the largest growth industries of the next five years: wireless and mobile broadband.

Government Relations

WCAI's government relations efforts are guided by a highly proactive committee comprised of the industry's major operators. This group directs the WCAI'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 WCAI and its members is a prominent international communications law firm Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer. WCAI 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 state capitals, and throughout 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 FCC on broadband applications.

Industry Leadership

Fred B. Campbell, Jr. is the WCAI's President and CEO. He most recently served as the Wireless Bureau Chief at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), overseeing domestic wireless services. In that position he developed and implemented several innovative wireless policies, including the classification of wireless broadband as an information service. The majority of the world’s broadband wireless operators are WCAI members, participating in WCAI’s decision-making with the most pro-active vendors to achieve high-impact results. Volunteer leaders from both large and small companies guide WCAI’s activities and build the industry through cost-effective group action. The WCAI 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.