WISPAPALOOZA Opens In Las Vegas, Celebrating 20 Years of the Association
Las Vegas, NV, October 14, 2024 – WISPA launched its annual WISPAPALOOZA event today in Las Vegas, drawing over 2,000 attendees and exhibitors from across the ISP industry. Held from October 14-17 at the Paris/Horseshoe hotels, the four-day event showcases cutting-edge technology, expert panels, and networking opportunities.
This year marks WISPA’s 20th anniversary. WISPA is a member-driven association organized around the evolving WISP industry – operators and the underlying ecosystem that provide reliable internet connectivity to millions of Americans in rural, under-resourced and Tribal parts of the country. WISPs use fiber, and licensed and/or unlicensed fixed wireless access to serve communities adjacent to, or in, the digital divide.
What started as a loose confederation of fellow travelers 20 years ago – men and women who on their own dime brought much-needed internet connectivity to their farms and nearby neighbors – has turned into a home for over 1000 operator and vendor members who play a key role in America’s goal to connect all Americans, no matter where they live.
A lot has changed these past 20 years for WISPs. The technology and delivery systems, which now depend on a greater diversity of technologies to deliver Internet access, such as fiber and LEO’s. The industry’s business models, which look to both private and public funding to grow. And more regulation, which has resulted because broadband is no longer just “nice to have,” but a necessity.
Advocacy has been in WISPA’s DNA from the start. Meaningful access to limited spectrum remains a key charge of the association. To this end, WISPA’s work with the FCC, the Executive Branch and Capitol Hill has led to new spectrum opportunities in the CBRS, 5.9 GHz and 6 GHz bands. The association has also opened new access to government grants and funding; and successfully pushed back against burdensome regulations like “net neutrality” and other “small business unfriendly” government efforts. BEAD, too, has become a central focus for the association, with WISPA’s efforts in Washington and the states yielding several important wins which will result in more opportunities for WISPs in the NTIA’s massive broadband deployment program.
This year, WISPAPALOOZA boasts over 200 vendors on the exhibit floor, as well as over 75 sessions covering the latest in technology, business practices, and regulatory updates. Keynote presentations will come from Diane Rinaldo, Executive Director, Open Ran Policy Coalition; and Fred Miller, Associate General Counsel and Government Affairs Liaison, Association of American Railroads. The event also features a 20th Anniversary gala celebration, featuring WISPA’s official band, Rural Revolution, and “tech nerd” comedian, Don McMillan.
Premier Sponsors of WISPAPALOOZA are CTIconnect, MitoTec and IPpay.
Manager in Digital Strategy Consulting @ Deloitte Netherlands
3moHahaha hilarious! I want to travel to London just to see this! 😂