Are you ready for four days of inspiring discussions, exhibitions, and networking moments? The hubbub from MWC Barcelona hasn’t even simmered down, and we’re already heading to our next key industry event. The GSMA Wholesale Agreements and Solutions (WAS) group will hold their latest conference, WAS #17, in the picturesque city of Vancouver, Canada. The group aims to give GSMA members the means to create a consistent and reliable GSM service offer for customers.

According to GSMA, there will be a 50% global increase in operators freeing up spectrum as 5G adoption increases. So, WAS #17 is an opportunity for operators to learn about the experiences of those who have already deployed 5G and what the future holds for 5G roaming and network slicing. It’s a catalyst for 5G development.

Roaming has been a hot topic in 5G discussions. Standalone 5G security and roaming charging models for 5G and IoT businesses will be just a couple of the numerous agenda items that WAS #17 has dedicated to the topic. Maintaining the quality of service will be a central aspect of conversations around roaming, and delegates will hear how operators are leveraging 5G and quantifying quality while optimising a return on investment.

WAS #17’s Open APIs in the 5G Era initiative will examine Open APIs and cloud networks, the simplification of the application development process, and how it will transform the market value of mobile operators. Universal access open APIs will help unlock Web3 and immersive technology applications, and GSMA’s Open gateway, launched at MWC Barcelona 2023, will be a key discussion point on day three.

As global connectivity increases and various technologies proliferate, cybercrime becomes more of a concern for operators. So, the group’s security and fraud sessions are a must-attend for delegates. Additional agenda items, like the growing digital voice divide, the possible return to glory for SMS, and debating the viability of robot surgeons, will certainly pique interest. Lastly, the WAS #17 audience will hear from competing start-ups presenting innovations like live AR calls, SIM-leveraged secure authentication, and a roaming auditing tool.

WAS #17 has a great agenda and will be an excellent opportunity to learn, network, and negotiate key services and contracts. We look forward to seeing you there.