The Wi-Fi Forum of South Africa has successfully completed its first year and elected a new management committee to take it into a second year of lobbying for Wi-Fi as a viable and affordable access medium for the majority of the country's population. Management committee members elected at the WFFSA's second Annual General Meeting held recently in Johannesburg included Andile Ngcaba, Bruce Pitso, Gareth Mortimer, Kervin Pillay, Mpho Mokete, Raj Wanniappa and Zanele Monnakgotla. Envir Fraser and William Stucke will assist the committee as co-opted members.

According to WFFSA Executive Deputy Chairperson, Raj Wanniappa: "Our 2016/2017 management committee represents a veritable 'who's who' of the local ICT sector. A formidable team has been brought on board and South Africa will reap the benefits as it gets down to work playing an active role in the country's Wi-Fi policy development process."

The WFFSA's AGM followed a business breakfast held with a number of leading industry players to discuss the policy and technology landscape in South Africa and globally. This presented an opportunity for senior industry executives to share thoughts and views on the growth of broadband and in particular the role of Wi-Fi as an access medium. Representatives from companies such as Vodacom, Cell C, MTN, Internet Solutions, Always-On, Vast Network, FreeWi, Facebook, Uber, Showmax and Project Isizwe were in attendance.

Key decisions taken at the AGM included the establishment of an ad-hoc policy sub-committee to engage with policymakers and make inputs to the country's Broadband Policy White Paper. The WFFSA's Standards sub-committee will also participate in determining the possible local adaptation of global Wi-Fi standards.

The AGM was concluded with a number of sponsorship commitments made towards the annual WFFSA conference to be held in October 2016. The WFFSA is a collaborative self-regulating body that promotes the effective utilisation of Wi-Fi technologies in the delivery of ubiquitous, interoperable and seamless connectivity in South Africa.