Recently, Calysto sat down to talk with Jason Nelson, Vice President of Partnerships and Development with WIA to discuss the group’s annual conference and exposition – Connect (X). This year’s conference takes place next week, May 14 – 16 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. For most in wireless, especially from an infrastructure perspective, Connect (X) has been a mainstay in their annual marketing and corporate communications strategies, but we wanted to get some insight on what to expect from this year’s event and get some perspective from the industry veteran Mr. Nelson.
Calysto: While you have obviously been to many Connect (X)s over your career, this is going to be your 4th Connect (X) as WIA and show management. With that backdrop, how has the show changed or is changing in your mind?
Jason Nelson: Yes, I’ve been going to the show for 20 years and have enjoyed leading it for four years now. It’s exciting to be a part of its growth over the last couple of years. Clearly the industry has evolved and there has been consolidation. Through all of it, the show has grown into an important event for the wireless industry as a whole. Infrastructure is always going to be a critical component to the event, but we are seeing significant participation from a cross section of the industry, including:
- mobile network operators,
- cable providers providing mobile service utilities,
- other connectivity providers like WISPs and fiber providers
- data centers, and
- enterprises looking to deploy private wireless networks or in-building connectivity.
I would say today it’s an interesting mix of most things wireless.
Calysto: It’s interesting to see so many different types of hardware and software providers participating in 2024. 10 years ago, wasn’t this very much a “tower” show?
Jason Nelson: Wireless has evolved to more than just conventional mobile telephony. There are so many kinds of wireless service providers today and we have been able to leverage this connectivity trend by addressing the challenges and opportunities across the various wireless markets. What we call a service provider today is broader than just the big three or four. We have strong attendance from several dozen regional mobile telephony carriers, satellite service providers, an array of private wireless service providers, and organizations that are providing last mile connectivity or IoT with non-licensed spectrum. The common element is wireless connectivity.
Calysto: You mentioned private wireless networks.
Jason Nelson: Private networks and in-building networks. We have a growing base of attendees interested in this technology and that goes back to our days with the DAS Forum. There are several vendors on our show floor and good discussions within the tracks to address private and in building technologies, challenges, and opportunities.
Calysto: So, if the show has broadened to wireless and connectivity, has the make up of WIA as an organization has also evolved in this direction?
Jason Nelson: The membership of WIA has definitely grown and broadened over the last few years. We still have all the major tower players, as well as all the major mobile network operators but what’s interesting is the growth of the private wireless, satellite, IoT, and WISPS, and even data center companies.
Calysto: Data center technologies appear to cut across all of your membership base, from tower to operators…
Jason Nelson: The criticality of data center integration and operations is probably one of the biggest trends we have seen. We have a number of panels that focus on data centers – at both the edge and in the core of the network. As you look at AI, you know that those data centers are a big part of the equation of AI services, as well as delivering connectivity everywhere.
Calysto: Is sustainability going to be big again at the show?
Jason Nelson: It will be! We’ve got a panel on powering a tower and another about streamlining energy costs, and several others touching the topic. On the floor, there are many vendors addressing energy, sustainability, and solutions to drive down costs of energy while maintaining 100% uptime.
Calysto: Many events and trade shows have gotten smaller and more focused. It sounds like Connect (X) has grown doing the opposite. Who will be in the audience? How many attendees do you expect?
Jason Nelson: Attendance is up about 15% year over year, despite the industry’s prevailing winds. While I’m happy with the growth, I am also happy with the quality of attendance. Registration continues to rise, and the really exciting thing is there is a tremendous amount of deal making happening at the show.
Calysto: We like to ask, who needs to be there? Who is missing out if they don’t come?
Jason Nelson: Well, we have real diversification on our show floor and in the presentations and panels so there is at least a little bit for anyone in the wireless industry. I believe our content staff continues to make the show very informational so it’s a great place to learn and meet key people in the industry. We have 7 tracks of content, with more than 50 different panels. We have service providers talking about the evolution of their RANs, everyone is discussing the integration of AI into networks, and industry luminaries talking about the changing landscape of in-building and private networks. Data centers, edge networks, and satellite providers will be talking about connectivity in remote locations. So there’s really something for everybody if you’re involved in wireless networks, and the connectivity of networks.
About WIA
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) is the principal trade association representing the companies that make up the wireless telecommunications and broadcast infrastructure industry. WIA is the only association that dedicates itself to representing the unique business needs of the wireless infrastructure industry. It provides industry leadership by giving its members the expertise to address pressing regulatory, marketplace and technology issues that have the highest impact on their businesses. The association represents carriers, infrastructure providers and professional services firms that own and manage more than 130,000 telecommunications facilities throughout the world – providing information, representation, career and educational support essential to growing the industry.