2026 Award Finalists

2026 Content Contribution of the Year Finalists

Jerry Olla

Jerry Olla's Roaming Wars talk explored how different client devices make roaming decisions in real-world Wi-Fi networks. He highlighted that roaming behavior varies widely by device, OS, and driver, often independent of network intent or best practices. The session underscored why understanding client-driven roaming is critical to designing networks that deliver consistent user experience.

Twitter: @jolla

Joel Crane

Joel Crane is a very active member in the Wi-Fi community who continuously brings relevance and insight for Wireless Professionals. His talk highlighting how to buil a multi-vendor lab is essentail for validating real-world network behavior rather than relying on single vendor assumptions. This session emphasized using the lab to uncover interoperability gaps, edge cases, and performance differences before they impact customers.

Twitter: @potato_Fi

Kjetil Hansen

Kjetil Hansen eloquently demonstrates how new Wi-Fi tools can visually reveal what's happening across the RF spectrum in real time. He used these tools to translate complex RF behavior into clear, intuitive visuals that make interference, noise, and channel usage easy to understand. The session showed how modern spectrum visibility helps engineers explain problems faster and make more confident design and troubleshooting decisions.

Twitter: @mrTeigen

Scott McNeil

Scott McNeil's The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast focuses on the unique challenges of deploying wireless networks in industrial and operational environments. He dives into real-world topics like reliability, safety, mobility, and RF design where downtime is not an option. The podcast blends practical field experience with expert conversations to help engineers build resilient, purpose-built industiral Wi-Fi networks.

Podcast: The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop

Rasika Nayanajith

Rasika Nayanajith's session breaks down WPA3-Personal Compatibility Mode and why it exists to ease the transition from WPA2 to WPA3. He explains how the mode works under the hood, balancing stronger security with support for legacy clients. The session clarified common misconceptions and helped attendees understand the real security tradeoffs and deployment considerations.

Twitter: @mrncciew

2026 Innovation of the Year Finalists

Aruba Networks HP700 Series APs

The Aruba 700 Series Wi-Fi 7 Access Points address market challenges by simplifying complex IoT deployments (eliminating overlays), boosting high-density Wi-Fi performance, enhancing security with integrated AI/Zero Trust, and future-proofing networks for AI/IoT-driven applications, acting as an intelligent edge hub with enhanced processing power and location services for demanding enterprise environments.

For more information visit https://www.hpe.com/us/en/aruba-access-points.html

Cisco Wireless CW9179F AP

The Cisco CW9179F is the industry‚Äôs first Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) access point specifically engineered for high-density, large public venues such as stadiums, convention centers, airports, and enterprise campuses. Designed for both indoor and outdoor deployment with a unified hardware SKU and patented weatherization, it features software-configurable antennas, advanced spectrum management, and seamless integration with both cloud-managed (Meraki) and on-premises (Catalyst) platforms. The CW9179F delivers unprecedented wireless capacity, reliability, and operational simplicity, supporting new digital experiences and business models for venues of all sizes.

For more information visit https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/collateral/networking/wireless/access-points/catalyst-9100-series/wireless-9179f-access-point-ds.html

Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB)

Cisco Wireless with Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB): Redefining wireless with near-zero latency, seamless handoffs, and uninterrupted connectivity. A new generation of connected assets‚ÄîAI-driven robots, autonomous vehicles, and highdata endpoints‚Äîdemands ultra-low latency, high reliability, and seamless handoffs beyond the latest Wi-Fi capabilities. Cisco¬Æ Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) is built to meet these demands.

By combining Wi-Fi and URWB on a single platform, Cisco Wireless with URWB enables organizations to address new use cases and connectivity challenges while streamlining deployment, reducing costs, and simplifying management.

Video overview of the solution: https://video.cisco.com/detail/video/6371802697112

Netally NXT-2000 6GHz Spectrum Analyzer

The NetAlly NXT-2000 6 GHz spectrum analyzer introduces significant improvements and new features that make it stand out, primarily its support for the 6 GHz band and its enhanced performance compared to previous models and some competitors.

The combination of full spectrum visibility (including 6 GHz), directional antenna support for physical location pinpointing, and faster analysis speeds makes the NXT-2000 a standout tool within its category, directly addressing the challenges of troubleshooting complex, modern Wi-Fi environments. These features are vital for network professionals adopting Wi-Fi 6E/7 technologies and provide a distinct advantage over analyzers with limited band coverage or less sophisticated location capabilities.

For more information visit https://www.netally.com/wp-content/uploads/NXT-Portable-Spectrum-Analyzer.pdf

Ubiquiti U7 Pro Max AP

The Ubiquiti UniFi U7 Pro Max (U7-PRO-MAX) provides immense value to communities (especially large ones like offices, campuses, or event venues) by delivering blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7 speeds (over 10 Gbps theoretical), significantly reduced latency, and massive capacity for hundreds of devices, using the 6 GHz band and features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for smooth 8K streaming, AR/VR, and dense user environments, ensuring reliable, interference-free connectivity for everyone.

For more information visit https://techspecs.ui.com/unifi/wifi/u7-pro-max

2026 Product of the Year Finalists

Cisco Campus Gateway

The Cisco Campus Gateway is the cloud-native solution from Cisco for centralized wireless deployments. Similar to a wireless LAN controller, data plane traffic is tunneled from the access points to the Campus Gateway, where it is terminated and switched to the rest of the network. By terminating traffic centrally, client VLANs only have to exist in the core. This allows for seamless roaming across layer 3 domains of the access points.

Launched in May 2025 in the U.S. and now available globally, it centralizes Wi-Fi management through the Meraki dashboard, supporting up to 5,000 access points and 50,000 clients per device. Campus Gateway integrates robust security, seamless layer 3 roaming, advanced automation, and support for the latest Wi-Fi standards (including Wi-Fi 7), delivering future-proofed connectivity for diverse sectors such as education, healthcare, hospitality, and public venues.

For more information visit hhttps://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/collateral/networking/wireless/campus-gateway-ds.html

Hamina Onsite

Hamina Onsite is a high-performance mobile and desktop app solution designed for conducting wireless site surveys. Hamina Onsite enables you to perform precise Wi-Fi site surveys with ease.

Their brand-new site survey solution enables users to perform site survey measurements on-site accurately, comprehensively and without hassle. The solution includes a software component (app) and a hardware component (RF measurement device that connects to the phone / tablet / laptop running the app).

Hamina Onsite is a separate, complementary product to Hamina Network Planner. You don’t have to purchase both; just equip the right people with the tools that they need!

For more information visit https://www.hamina.com/onsite

Morse Micro MM8101 based Wi-Fi HaLow Platform

Morse Micro's Wi-Fi HaLow platform, built around the MM8108 SoC and HaLow Link router, is the world's first fully certified, commercially available Wi-Fi HaLow solution. Designed to extend the reach, efficiency, and scalability of Wi-Fi, it transforms the world's most ubiquitous wireless standard into a long-range, low-power platform for the Internet of Things (IoT).

By bridging Wi-Fi's reliability and security with IoT's scale and efficiency, Morse Micro is redefining connectivity for a smarter, more sustainable future.

For more information visit https://www.morsemicro.com/

NetAlly NXT-2000 6GHz Spectrum Analyzer

Trying to pinpoint the source of Wi-Fi interference on a wireless network is hit or miss with the wrong tools. The NXT-2000 Portable Spectrum Analyzer offers a comprehensive view of the RF environment, interference, and its impact on the wireless network's overall performance. The benefits of using this powerful accessory include:

Simplify interference troubleshooting by providing visibility into the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands
Locate Wi-Fi or non-Wi-Fi interference sources operating in the RF environment
Prioritize Wi-Fi interference troubleshooting activities and reduce time to locate and fix wireless network issues
Secure access to your network by inspecting No Wireless Zones, plus detecting and locating intentional RF interference sources such as RF jammers

For more information visit https://www.netally.com/wp-content/uploads/NXT-Portable-Spectrum-Analyzer.pdf

Sidos Cloud

Sidos Cloud is a revolutionary departure from traditional Wi-Fi tools. It’s built from the ground up using modern design principles and features an elegant, intuitive, and ultra-responsive UI. Powering the Sidos Cloud is a sophisticated algorithm engine that utilizes massively parallel matrix modeling technology to analyze survey data and help you make accurate data-driven decisions. Combined with our state-of-the-art measurement device, this fully integrated solution is the new Wi-Fi survey and design standard.

For more information visit https://www.sidos.com/sidos-cloud/

2026 Company Leadership of the Year Finalists

Cisco Wireless

The future of work demands more than just better connectivity. As AI reshapes technology and redefines what’s possible, organizations need a network that doesn’t just keep up—but leads. They can’t afford to be held back by outdated, underpowered systems. They need a network—and a platform—built to grow, adapt, and take on whatever comes next.

Cisco has gone far beyond the standard to deliver a wireless solution truly capable of future-proofing every workplace. It’s more intelligent than any other solution, combining AI-native capabilities with a self-configuring out-of-box experience. It secures every connection with advanced device profiling and threat prevention built for scale. And with end-to-end network assurance powered by Cisco ThousandEyes, Cisco Wi-Fi 7 ensures every experience is flawless and secure.

For more information visit https://www.cisco.com/

Hamina Wireless

Hamina Wireless displays innovation and passion in the wireless networking industry by embracing disruptive, cloud-native technologies and fostering a strong, collaborative community culture. Hamina's innovative approach is evident in its technologically advanced and user-friendly products designed to streamline complex network planning processes.

Hamina provides thought leadership and assumes a leadership role in the wireless community by pioneering innovative, AI-powered network design and planning tools and by forming strategic partnerships with major industry players.

For more information visit https://www.hamina.com

Meter

Meter Networks displays innovation and passion in the wireless industry by reinventing enterprise networking through a vertically integrated, managed service model and developing novel solutions, such as its unique indoor cellular system and AI-powered interface. Their passion is evident in their mission to "make networking cool again" by simplifying complex systems and empowering network practitioners.

For more information visit https://www.meter.com

Morse Micro

Morse Micro is redefining the future of connectivity with Wi-Fi HaLow, a breakthrough that extends Wi-Fi's reach to hundreds of new IoT use cases that simply didn't exist before Centered on the MM8108 SoC, the world's most advanced Wi-Fi HaLow chip, and the HaLow Link, the first globally certified router, Morse Micro transformed Wi-Fi from a short-range broadband technology into a long-range, low-power platform for smart cities, agriculture, industry, and homes that will run on IoT 2.0.

Morse Micro's innovation is matched by its passion for impact. The company's chips are already empowering a new generation of products that make cities safer, farms smarter, and industries more efficient. Just as important, the chips offer lower energy consumption and the carbon footprint.