The Signal: A Wi-Fi Alliance podcast

Hosted by Wi-Fi Alliance

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Episodes

103

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Signal, a Wi-Fi Alliance® podcast, delivers a new perspective on the growing portfolio of Wi-Fi technologies by breaking down the new tools, programs, and capabilities that are changing the connectivity landscape.

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60 recent

June 4, 202617 min

Wi-Fi 8 and edge AI: building the intelligent network with Chris Szymanski of Broadcom

We're sitting down with Chris Szymanski, Director of Product Marketing and Technology Strategy at Broadcom, for the inside track on Wi-Fi 8, edge AI, and smart home trends. Chris tells us how combining Wi-Fi 8 chipsets with advanced processing units and embedded AI acceleration enables smarter, self-optimizing networks across residential and enterprise environments. We talk about how edge AI is reshaping traffic patterns—driving more uplink demand, ultra-low latency requirements, and the need for deterministic, highly reliable connectivity. Chris also highlights how unified wired and wireless architectures are enabling AI-driven operations, enhanced security, and proactive network performance. In the smart home, we learn about how AI is moving from the cloud into devices to power adaptive, context-aware experiences across IoT, voice, video, and automation, and the critical role Wi-Fi 8 will play as the “nervous system” connecting this intelligent ecosystem. Tune in for key insights into AI-ready networking, evolving infrastructure demands, and how Wi-Fi 8 will support the next generation of connected experiences.For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

May 20, 202632 min

AI is solving Wi-Fi®’s toughest challenges with Nadeem Akhtar of HFCL

In today's episode, we sit down with Nadeem Akhtar, SVP and Head of Engineering for Wi-Fi and Software Solutions at HFCL, to explore how AI is redefining how Wi-Fi networks are optimized, managed, and scaled—especially as the industry moves toward Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 8. Nadeem shares emerging use cases where AI delivers immediate impact, including autonomous radio resource management, intelligent roaming, application-aware QoS, and predictive maintenance, and we discuss how AI enables multi-AP coordination and multi-parameter optimization—critical for unlocking the full performance of advanced Wi-Fi 7 features and future Wi-Fi 8 capabilities. Tune in to learn how AI is closing the gap between network design and real-world performance while improving efficiency, reliability, and user experience at scale.For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

May 6, 2026Episode 10120 min

AI at the edge: how Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 8 are redefining connectivity with James Chen of MediaTek

AI is rapidly moving to the edge of the network—and reshaping the future of Wi-Fi. In this episode, we sit down with James Chen, VP of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, to explore how edge AI, Wi-Fi 7 adoption, and emerging Wi-Fi 8 innovations are transforming connectivity. James shares insights on the accelerating adoption of Wi-Fi 7 across smartphones, PCs, enterprise networks, and broadband gateways—highlighting how AI-enhanced performance, lower latency, and improved reliability are driving advancements. Looking ahead, he explains how agentic AI and small language models embedded in home gateways could revolutionize customer support, enabling real-time, in-home troubleshooting and reducing operational costs for service providers. We also get an early look at Wi-Fi 8 and how its improved features enable efficiency, seamless roaming, and improved uplink performance. Tune in for the latest on edge AI, Wi-Fi innovation, and what’s next for connectivity in 2026 and beyond.CES 2026 panel: Redefining Wireless: Networks, Devices & New Frontiers For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

April 22, 2026Episode 10021 min

Why customers really leave their ISP—and how to stop it with Metin Taskin of Airties

In this special 100th episode of The Signal, we’re joined by Airties CEO and co-founder Metin Taskin to tackle one of the most pressing challenges for broadband providers: customer churn—and how to reduce it. Drawing on new survey data from the U.S., U.K., and Japan, Metin reveals that up to 24% of consumers switch ISPs each year, with as many as 1 in 3 considering a change soon. While price competition is often blamed, the real drivers of churn are poor Wi-Fi performance, unreliable connectivity, and subpar customer support—highlighted by common issues like video streaming freezes, dropped connections, and inconsistent in-home coverage. We talk about how service providers can improve customer retention by moving from reactive troubleshooting to proactive, data-driven network management, allowing operators to detect and resolve issues before they impact the user experience. Listen for the inside track on the Wi-Fi customer experience, retention, and next-generation connectivity, and thanks for joining us for 100 episodes!For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

April 9, 2026Episode 9929 min

CEO Insights: Wi-Fi Alliance® and Dan Herscovici of Plume

In this episode of our CEO Insight Series, Wi-Fi Alliance President and CEO Kevin Robinson sits down with Dan Herscovici, CEO of Plume, to explore how the Wi-Fi ecosystem is evolving beyond speed—and why customer experience is now the key differentiator for ISPs. Dan shares insights on the rapid rise of Wi-Fi 7, including a 500% year-over-year surge in adoption, while highlighting a critical reality: most homes still rely on a mix of Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 7 devices. Together, they discuss how ISPs can maximize ROI on Wi-Fi 7, optimize in-home connectivity, and deliver consistent performance in increasingly complex environments. Dan also explains why network orchestration, device awareness, and intelligent prioritization are essential to supporting real-world user expectations from video calls to gaming and streaming. Tune in to learn more, including how combining deterministic workflows with AI-driven automation can more effectively solve real customer challenges.For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

April 2, 2026Episode 9821 min

IoT 2.0 and how Wi-Fi HaLow is transforming smart connectivity with Andy McFarlane of Morse Micro

In today's episode, we sit down with Andy McFarlane, VP of Marketing at Morse Micro, to explore the evolution of IoT 2.0 and how Wi-Fi HaLow is redefining what’s possible for connected devices. From AI-powered security cameras and smart buildings to advanced metering infrastructure and precision agriculture, Wi-Fi HaLow is unlocking reliable long-range, low-power connectivity. Andy shares how improved range, wall penetration, and data throughput are driving innovation across industries — and why combining Wi-Fi HaLow with edge AI is transforming everything from home security to energy management. Tune in to learn how IoT is evolving beyond simple sensors into intelligent, data-rich systems, and why Wi-Fi HaLow is poised to become a foundational technology for the future of IoT use cases.For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

March 11, 2026Episode 9726 min

Wi-Fi 7 and the next era of IoT connectivity with Sivaram Trikutam and Kamesh Medepalli of Infineon

In today's episode, we continue our CES 2026 series in our conversation with Sivaram Trikutam, Senior VP of Wireless at Infineon, and Kamesh Medepalli, SVP and Global Head of Systems Research & Innovation at Infineon, as we discuss how Wi-Fi 7's advanced features are evolving to support the next generation of IoT devices and smart homes. Sivaram and Kamesh tell us about the growing connectivity challenges facing the IoT ecosystem, where the average home could soon have more than 50 connected devices. We also explore the broader IoT connectivity landscape—including Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter—and talk about how emerging trends like physical AI, robotics, and a turn towards battery-less devices will impact the future of IoT. Tune in to learn more, including a look at how Wi-Fi 8 will support the next era of connectivity. For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

February 25, 2026Episode 9613 min

When networks think: the future of Wi-Fi® and AI with Ganesh Swaminathan of Qualcomm

In today’s episode, we sit down with Ganesh Swaminathan, VP and GM at Qualcomm, to discuss how Wi-Fi is evolving beyond simple connectivity into the foundation of intelligent, adaptive experiences. As artificial intelligence moves onto devices and into everyday environments, a new category is emerging: agentic AI — systems that can perceive context, make decisions, and act on behalf of users — requiring networks to become responsive rather than passive infrastructure. Martha and Ganesh explore why some technology leaders believe “AI is the new UI,” and how on-device and edge AI enable faster, more private, and more personalized interactions. They also examine how Wi-Fi 7 and the forthcoming Wi-Fi 8 support real-time responsiveness, allowing networks to prioritize traffic, sense activity, and adjust automatically. Tune in to learn how AI and Wi-Fi are shaping modern digital experiences.For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

February 11, 2026Episode 9515 min

CEO Insights: Wi-Fi®, Matter, and the road ahead with Tobin Richardson of CSA

On today's episode, Wi-Fi Alliance President and CEO Kevin Robinson sits down with Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), for a new installment of our CEO Insights series. Recorded at CES 2026, Kevin and Tobin discuss how Wi-Fi and Matter are evolving together to enable interoperable, reliable, and scalable connected experiences. Kevin and Tobin dig into what's driving Matter’s rapid adoption, how industry collaboration brings thousands of certified products to market, and why Wi-Fi remains a trusted foundation for the Matter ecosystem. Tune in to learn what consumers can expect from the Matter ecosystem in 2026 and beyond, and how Wi-Fi 7 will enable new opportunities for a broader range of IoT devices.For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact

January 28, 2026Episode 9413 min

More than high speeds: how operators can deliver seamless Wi-Fi® experiences with Arnaud Bensaid of SoftAtHome

In today's episode, we're joined by Arnaud Bensaid, VP of Marketing at SoftAtHome, to discuss what really matters for a great Wi-Fi experience — and it's more than just high speeds. Recorded as part of our CES 2026 series in Las Vegas, Arnaud tells us that operators should move from prioritizing peak speeds to considering users' everyday realities, particularly in remote and hybrid work environments. We talk about how this paradigm shift allows operators to ensure uninterrupted video calls, seamless roaming from room to room, and will enable the evolution of connectivity as AI use continues to gain traction. Tune in to hear Arnaud's predictions for the future of Wi-Fi quality of experience and how operators should evolve their KPIs to deliver smooth, reliable connectivity across networks.For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact