Waves with Wireless Nerd

Send us Fan Mail Miss the days when Wi‑Fi talk meant real problems, real tools, and real wins? Same here. I’m back on camera to unpack what actually moved the needle and what’s about to—from the push to standardize Wi‑Fi design to the quiet march toward Wi‑Fi 8 and the gear being pitched as “ready” for it. I share how a voice clone and an AI-powered workflow with Kero and Claude helped me build Th...

Send us Fan Mail 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 abo...

Send us Fan Mail 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 tran...

Send us Fan Mail 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 y...

Send us Fan Mail 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 “featur...

Send us Fan Mail 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 aff...

Send us Fan Mail 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 clea...

Send us Fan Mail 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,...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 r...

Send us Fan Mail 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&a...

Send us Fan Mail 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 challenge...

Send us Fan Mail 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 co...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 labe...

Send us Fan Mail 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&am...

Send us Fan Mail 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 giv...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail The latest episode dives into the technological highlights and insights from CES and NRF, revealing how innovations in wireless technology and AI are shaping the future. Listeners can expect discussions on groundbreaking products, the impact of AI on retail, and the upcoming role of Wi-Fi HaLow technology. • Recap of key highlights from CES and NRF - What I saw and why I think it...

Send us Fan Mail CES is a massive showcase of technology that can be intimidating for first-time attendees - luckily I've been going for over a decade! This episode dives into navigating the event with practical tips, insights on the layout, strategies for exploring various halls, and how to discover both big brands and innovative startups. • Exploring the CES layout and its main areas  • Imp...

Send us Fan Mail Ready to witness the wireless revolution of 2024? Join me, Drew Lentz, as I navigate through a year brimming with technological breakthroughs and pivotal industry shifts. You'll uncover how CBRS has transformed into a linchpin for full-stack solutions and the unstoppable rise of private wireless networks. This year, the tech world was buzzing with excitement at events like CE...

Send us Fan Mail Is the future of wireless technology at risk of over-the-air hackers, or are we on the brink of a revolution that will outsmart them? Join us as we uncover how Wi-Fi is transforming communities, with a firsthand account of deploying network solutions in Occidental, California, to boost connectivity for first responders. As we look towards CES and NRF, explore how these innovations...