The WCA: An Overview

The Wireless Communications Association International (WCA) is the non-profit trade association for the Wireless Broadband industry with over 200 member companies on six continents representing the bulk of the sector’s leading carriers, vendors and consultants.  The WCA’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 WCA is an established leader in government relations, technology standards and industry event organization.

Conventions, Conferences and Worldwide Services

Founded in 1988, the WCA 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 comprising licensed and unlicensed bands. WCA is also the leading association for the rapidly emerging Free Space Optics (FSO) sector.  The WCA 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 WCA organizes its own conference and exhibition that provides the world’s largest showcase for the latest technology, business and government regulatory information.  The WCA 20th annual exhibition WCA 2007 was held in June in Washington, DC with 200 speakers and over 1,600 attendees from over 50 nations.  The exhibition provided an unparalleled opportunity for wireless companies worldwide to showcase wireless broadband services and systems.  Our next WCA 2008 annual exhibition is scheduled for April 2008 in Washington, DC.

Technical Expertise and Worldwide Standards

The WCA 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 WCA’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 WCA’s 13th International Symposium & Business Expo held in Silicon Valley in January 2007 brought over 1,600 registrants of 35 nations.  The Symposium’s speakers represented the largest U.S. license holders in every broadband band from 700 MHz to 40+ GHz, as well as the leading providers in some of the hottest enterprise markets, such as municipal wireless, public safety and homeland security.  WCA’s 14th Annual International Symposium & Business Expo is scheduled for January 29, 2008 in San Jose, CA.

Government Relations

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

Industry Leadership

WCA’s President is Andrew Kreig, an attorney active in public affairs and a frequent commentator on advanced communications issues.  Listed in Who’s Who in the World and a widely published author, he has spoken on five continents at the world’s leading conferences on broadband wireless issues.  The majority of the world’s broadband wireless operators are WCA members, participating in WCA’s decision-making with the most pro-active vendors to achieve high-impact results.  Volunteer leaders from both large and small companies guide WCA’s activities and build the industry through cost-effective group action.  The WCA 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.