Welcome to PR Vibes®, created by Calysto Communications, to provide you with key insights into the publications and events in the communications industry.
Today, we’re featuring an interview with Tim House, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA). We talked with him about WIA, what to expect from the upcoming Connect (X) event (taking place May 12-14, 2025 at Chicago’s McCormick Place), and some of the current trends in the mobile infrastructure sector.
• What do you consider to be WIA’s mission, and what is your role with the association?
WIA represents the wireless infrastructure industry, which includes the carriers, infrastructure providers, professional service firms and companies from every segment of the wireless industry. Our mission is to help create the best business and regulatory environment for our member companies to enable connectivity everywhere. I serve as the Chief Operating Officer of WIA, so I have my hands in a little bit of everything – but have spent a considerable amount of time over the past several years focused on industry workforce-related initiatives.
• How does the Connect (X) event fit into WIA’s mission?
Connect (X) is the annual rallying point for the wider digital infrastructure community. Every year, this event continues to grow as the industry continues to innovate and evolve. It’s a place to do business, network and learn with all major carriers, tower company executives, fiber, cable, satellite, data center, government and enterprise clients from across the U.S. and beyond.
• How would you say this show has changed and evolved over the years?
I’m very proud of how Connect (X) has remained at the leading edge of events, driving key conversations for our industry year after year. We’ve done that by really listening to that community, hearing what they want and need from the event and consistently delivering on that.
• What are some of the other prominent topics, trends, and industry issues that will be in the spotlight at this year’s Connect (X) event?
We will be talking about the continued advancement of 5G – from Fixed Wireless Access to Private 5G and in-building and large venue deployments, which are major growth areas for the industry. Other trends include 5G network slicing, edge computing, data center, fiber and satellite and more.
• AI is obviously one of the industry’s hottest topics. How does it impact wireless connectivity, and what kind of attention do you expect to see on AI at Connect (X)?
I didn’t think I would get out of this interview without mentioning AI… it is the industry buzz word for 2025 and rightly so! Network and wireless infrastructure operators are using it for their business operations, and we are all waiting to see where AI takes off on the consumer side and how it will affect network traffic. Connect (X) is where the AI and wireless connectivity conversations come together.
• What else is new this year that you would want folks to know about?
As you may know, there is a $42.5 billion federal grant program called BEAD, that is intended to help States connect every serviceable home and bridge the digital divide. Connect (X) brings together State Broadband leaders to talk about the opportunities and challenges they face in delivering connectivity. That is going to be informative. It will focus on deployment, but also on training the workforce to be ready to deploy this needed infrastructure.
• Who in the industry needs to be at Connect (X), and what are some of the benefits of the show for attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors?
If your business intersects with the digital infrastructure that connects the world, Connect (X) is for you. The event brings together all decision makers shaping the future of our industry in one spot.
• What would you say is the draw for analysts and members of the media?
We have a great line up of news makers set to provide important updates on the state of our nation’s networks like Verizon Senior Vice President and Chief Network Officer and AT&T SVP of Access Construction and Engineering. We’ll hear from top tower CEOs, state broadband officials, as well as the technologists who are working on the next generation of wireless and AI.
Don’t Miss Connect (X) Chicago | Register here