Why does 6G need advanced Wi-Fi?

The ITU identified the need for increased indoor connectivity in 6G systems — and that means Wi-Fi

For the first time, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) identified ubiquitous connectivity as a requirement for 6G systems. Dean Bubley, who is an analyst with Disruptive Analysis and Disruptive 6G, explained that while this largely refers to bridging the digital divide by incorporating things like non-terrestrial networks, it also specifically calls out the need for increased indoor connectivity. “And that will mean Wi-Fi,” he said. 

Bubley said, too, that what is “becoming increasingly [clear] amongst not just users, but thankfully, finally governments and regulators, is the importance of indoor wireless connectivity.” That, of course, is because the vast majority of wireless traffic occurs indoors, and further, Wi-Fi is almost always the best option for indoor connectivity. As such, he claimed, Wi-Fi is quickly becoming part of the “ubiquitous framework” that defines 6G.

If you’re curious just how much wireless traffic occurs indoors, Ericsson’s 2023 Mobility Report puts it at about 80%. It added that we spend roughly 90% of our time indoors.

But to achieve ubiquitous Wi-Fi coverage, Wi-Fi onboarding needs to be secure and seamless — two characteristics not typically associated with Wi-Fi. This is where OpenRoaming, developed by Cisco and built upon a set of standards and guidelines developed by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and Wi-Fi Alliance, comes into play in a big way. OpenRoaming allows users to join any network managed by any provider within the established trusted federation of providers. The network is then able to automatically authenticate devices by using established identity providers, such as a service provider, device manufacturer, cloud ID or even loyalty memberships. 

According to the WBA Industry Report 2025, 81% of the 170 global industry executives surveyed are planning to deploy OpenRoaming. Of those, 25% were already rolling out the technology, 42% said they would deploy in 2025, with 27% planning for 2026. When asked why they are interested in deploying or investing in OpenRoaming or Passpoint compliant networks, Industry Report 44% of the respondents said to enable seamless access between Wi-Fi and 5G/LTE, while 43% said to provide improved security on Wi-Fi (43%). These top answers were followed by enabling frictionless access to Wi-Fi (39%) and enabling seamless access across different networks (38%).

In a previous conversation with RCR Wireless News, the WBA’s CEO Tiago Rodrigues provided an update on OpenRoaming’s global adoption: “The U.S is getting a good start; in Europe, we are starting to see some countries like Belgium … looking okay. London is starting to get some traction, as well. Another country that is very well layered is Japan,” he said. “OpenRoaming is all about security and the user experience. We are super enthusiastic to see that every day there are new networks. Let’s be honest, this is the start. Like any technology, you need a starting point, and I believe we will continue to grow over time.”

Ultimately, as service providers navigate the evolving connectivity landscape, Wi-Fi 7 emerges as a pivotal enabler of both reliability and innovation. From ensuring that consumers fully experience the gigabit speeds they subscribe to, to unlocking new revenue streams through premium services and smart home applications, Wi-Fi 7 is more than just an incremental upgrade — it’s a strategic necessity.

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