Waves with Wireless Nerd
Join me for a weekly look into what's making waves in tech and the wireless industry! What's new? What's now? What's next?
Episodes
The wireless world just flipped from speed bragging rights to real‑world reliability, and we’re here for it. We break down how Wi‑Fi 7 went mainstream faster than anyone expected, why Cisco’s below‑6E pricing and AI‑ops licensing strategy vaulted them to the top, and what that means if you’re debating an upgrade from Wi‑Fi 6 or 6E. The decision no longer ends at the radio—it’s about committing to a cloud and AI stack ...
A week in Vegas turned into a crash course in where networking is headed—starting with a potato-smashing contest at Five Guys and ending with Eero tunnels landing cleanly in AWS. That gut-level, customer-first perspective sets the tone as we dig into real demos, new tools, and the shifting policies that shape what gets built next.
We unpack how a simple site-to-site VPN and a transit gateway can turn small si...
Special edition! Cloud meets real‑world scale on the Las Vegas strip as we line up two big stories: Amazon Leo’s leap to gigabit‑class LEO connectivity and a live eero deployment inside the largest Five Guys in the franchise. We set the scene for reInvent, map out the sessions worth your time, and explain how these pieces fit into a resilient, transport‑agnostic network strategy you can actually deploy.
First...
A week in San Francisco rekindled the builder’s spirit: start with intent, then craft the hardware, software, and process to make that outcome inevitable. From the Pier 27 backdrop to on‑stage moments with Anil, Sunil, and Bob Metcalfe, we trace how desired state networking shifts the conversation away from bolt‑ons and toward autonomy, reliability, and clarity. Think less “features” and more “the network just does wh...
Tomorrow’s Meter Up has the Wi‑Fi world buzzing, and we’re stepping into it with a full slate of stories reshaping how we connect. We set the stage with what we want to learn from Meter’s year of deployments—real outcomes, support models, and how Wi‑Fi 7 fits when most devices are still 6E—then fan out to the bigger map: carriers, cafes, satellites, and the stubborn problem of affordability.
AT&T’s rapid ...
Headlines hit hard this week, and we stitched them into a practical roadmap you can use. We start with the fresh demos pointing toward Wi‑Fi 8’s multi‑AP future—coordinated radios, smarter spectral reuse, and AI‑assisted congestion control aimed squarely at dense campuses where roaming and contention burn time and budget. Some features may stay aspirational, but the signal is clear: access points are learning to coope...
What if the best ISP on your block doesn’t own the tower—or even the access network? Drew sits down with Matt Larson, founder and CEO of VistaBeam and chair of WISPA, to explore how open access for fixed wireless and fiber could flip the broadband model from top to bottom. With radio platforms now supporting hundreds of subscribers per sector and multi‑operator IDs on the same AP, shared infrastructure is finally reli...
A polo field, a VIP tent, and thousands of devices waiting to light up—this week we take you behind the scenes of building a festival‑grade network that had to stand up fast, survive wind and wobble, and still deliver when John Mayer took the stage. We share the practical playbook: dual circuits into a gateway, 60 GHz point‑to‑multipoint for distribution, clean PoE runs to access points, and the small field hacks—like...
The wireless world never stops evolving, and in this episode, Drew Lentz takes us on a journey through the latest developments across multiple technology frontiers. Starting with Apple's intriguing N1 chip introduction, Drew explores what this means for wireless communications and sparks a fascinating discussion about whether Apple might resurrect their once-popular Airport routers. Could this custom silicon be t...
The telecommunications landscape is undergoing a seismic shift as major players consolidate their hold on crucial spectrum assets. AT&T's stunning $23 billion acquisition of Echo Star's spectrum holdings grants them control of valuable 600 MHz low-band frequencies—airwaves that travel farther and penetrate buildings better than higher frequencies. Meanwhile, SpaceX's $17 billion purchase of Echo Sta...
Ever wonder what happens when you need to provide Wi-Fi for half a million surfing fans? Drew Lentz returns to the Waves Podcast after an exhilarating stint deploying 27 access points at the World Surf League's US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Between coordinating connectivity for food trucks, security teams, merchants, and celebrity appearances, the wireless challenges were as massive as the waves.
Fresh from his first trip to Australia, Drew Lentz dives into the evolving landscape of wireless networking with observations that span from down under to the stratosphere. The Melbourne adventure yielded more than just kangaroo sightings and chicken "parmies" – it showcased how different regions approach connectivity challenges with innovative solutions.
The industry continues its dramatic reshuffl...
The wireless networking landscape is witnessing a dramatic shift as revealed in the newly released 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure. Juniper Networks has emerged as the clear frontrunner, claiming the coveted top-right position with superior marks for both execution capability and strategic vision. Meanwhile, longtime industry leader Cisco shows signs of strategic drift ...
The future of networking isn't about whether AI will transform our industry—it's about how quickly professionals will adapt to these inevitable changes. In this candid discussion, Drew Lentz unpacks the major developments from recent industry events, particularly Cisco Live, where AI dominated conversations across the vendor landscape.
AI Canvas, Cisco's entry into agentic AI, signals a pivotal...
The wireless landscape is transforming before our eyes as major players consolidate, edge computing pushes boundaries, and questions of affordability continue to challenge our assumptions about connectivity. Charter's $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Communications is reshaping the competitive landscape, combining Charter's 10+ million mobile subscribers with Cox's commercial fiber and managed IT operat...
Recent funding cuts to digital equity programs threaten to deepen the digital divide in America, just as communities were preparing for infrastructure improvements that would bring connectivity to underserved areas. These decisions impact rural residents, small ISPs, and equipment manufacturers who were counting on these opportunities.
• $2.5 billion in digital equity funding labeled "racist and illegal&...
The Wi-Fi Now Conference in Mountain View showcased innovations in wireless technology while revealing insights about Wi-Fi 7's enterprise adoption challenges. AT&T's partnership with Helium Network for Wi-Fi offload utilizing Hotspot 2.0 and Passpoint technology marks a significant advancement in carrier-independent network collaboration.
• Helium Network and AT&T partnering to provide Wi-...
The digital world demands our attention as both wireless professionals and responsible individuals navigating increasingly complex technology landscapes. Drew Lentz dives into this fascinating territory, balancing nostalgic wireless technologies with cutting-edge innovations that challenge how we think about connectivity.
The episode kicks off with exciting news about upcoming giveaways, including a professio...
After a brief hiatus to recalibrate and refocus, Waves makes its triumphant return with fresh energy and a clear vision for the future of wireless networking coverage. This restart episode lays the groundwork for an exciting year ahead, powered by new sponsorships and a commitment to delivering the most valuable wireless industry insights to our community.
The podcast welcomes two major sponsors who are trans...
WLPC 2025 prepares to welcome wireless professionals for an exciting week of learning, networking, and technological exploration. Attendees will engage in bootcamps, insightful sessions, and community-building activities, making it a must-attend conference in the industry.
• Overview of WLPC and its significance in the wireless community
• Details on immersive bootcamps offered at the conference
• ...
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