In modern industrial environments, connectivity is the backbone of operations. Today’s factory floors, automated warehouses, and smart ports rely on a diverse mix of wireless networks. While non-public 5G/6G networks provide high-reliability cellular links for critical machinery, Wi-Fi remains a pervasive and cost-effective standard for everyday operations and massive IoT deployments.
Historically, however, these technologies have operated in isolation. Cellular and Wi-Fi typically run in separate technical silos, leading to inefficient resource utilization and complex management overhead.
To bridge this gap, UNITY-6G is developing a unified control plane. By extending the O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) architecture beyond cellular to include Wi-Fi Access Points, diverse Radio Access Technologies (RATs) can be managed as a single, programmable entity.
At the EuCNC & 6G Summit 2026, project partner imec demonstrated a practical step toward this objective: O-RAN Compliant Wi-Fi Access Points for Programmable and Intelligent Multi-RAT Networks.
The Demo: Extending O-RAN Beyond Cellular
The primary objective of this live demonstration was to validate the architectural feasibility of O-RAN-compliant multi-RAT management within the UNITY-6G framework.
Utilizing imec’s openwifi platform, the setup showed how the standardized O-RAN E2 interface can be extended to manage non-3GPP technologies like Wi-Fi. At the project booth, imec presented an O-RAN-compliant OpenWiFi Access Point (AP) communicating with a Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC).
Specifically, the demonstration focused on three main technical capabilities:
- Standardized Interoperability: A unified control plane where Wi-Fi APs and cellular base stations coexist under a single Near-RT RIC, removing existing vendor and technology silos.
- Real-Time Programmability: A bidirectional flow of telemetry and control commands, showing that Wi-Fi performance can be dynamically tuned via external software applications (xApps).
- A Foundation for AI-Driven Orchestration: Establishing the data foundation required for the project’s broader goals, including intent-based networking and automated resource optimization.
Why This Matters for Future Networks
Achieving functional integration of Wi-Fi within the O-RAN ecosystem is a requirement for the high-reliability, low-latency coordination needed in complex industrial and IoT environments.
For industrial operators and the wider public, this convergence simplifies network management and improves reliability. Instead of dropped connections or manual network switching on a crowded factory floor, a central Near-RT RIC can optimize network resources globally in the background. The practical benefits include more reliable internet in dense environments and enhanced operational safety through predictable wireless links.