World Wi-Fi Day: the technology that connects the world

Wi-Fi is a technology we use every day. It enables wireless Internet connectivity via radio waves transmitted by a router to multiple devices, without the need for cables. It is widespread in cities and communities around the world and complements technologies such as SD-WAN, which strengthen and protect enterprise network infrastructure. SD-WAN manages traffic between different sites and locations, while Wi-Fi serves as the first point of contact with users and the various devices on the network.

Today, there are more than 19 billion devices connected to the Internet wirelessly. According to Statista, this figure is estimated to double by 2034, reaching 40 billion; many of these connections are made via wireless networks such as Wi-Fi or 4G/5G, thereby complementing technologies like SD-WAN. In May 2025, 68.7% of the population had Internet access, with those without access concentrated primarily in Africa and in South and East Asia.

Since 2016, World Wi-Fi Day has been celebrated every June 20. It is a celebration that not only promotes the safe and efficient use of this technology but also honors the legacy of Hedy Lamarr. A multifaceted woman—actress, inventor, spy—and one of the brilliant minds of the 20th century, Lamarr was the pioneer of one of the world’s most important technologies today: Wi-Fi.

She was a Hollywood star during the 1930s and also a spy, supporting the Allies in their fight against Nazi Germany. Lamarr invented a system for detecting guided torpedoes that allowed transmission signals to jump between frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum. Lamarr’s invention is used today in satellite positioning systems, such as GPS, and laid the groundwork for some of today’s wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi.

In her time, she did not receive the recognition she deserved. However, in 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Lamarr’s technology was used to jam communications and control torpedoes.

Wi-Fi is key to SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) technology, as both are integrated into modern network infrastructure to provide efficient, secure, and adaptable connectivity.

• Wi-Fi handles the connection within a wireless local area network (LAN), such as those set up in offices, homes, or universities. It serves as the access point for user devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets) to a specific site’s network.

• SD-WAN manages traffic across multiple remote networks. It regulates and optimizes connectivity between various sites or remote locations via multiple WAN connections (such as FTTH, wireless, satellite, or 4G/5G). It prioritizes traffic to enhance security and improve the performance of critical applications. SD-WAN operates on top of the Wi-Fi network, which is the first link in the connection chain.

   

• SD-WAN and Wi-Fi are technologies that, when combined, provide users with a fast and secure network experience.
   

There are SD-WAN solutions that manage traffic flowing to and from Wi-Fi access points. This is the case with SAIMA SYSTEMS’ SAIWALL Secure SD-WAN platform, which enhances the use of Wi-Fi networks and protects connectivity between LANs at different locations. This system has the advantage of adapting to each customer’s needs, making it ideal for both small and medium-sized businesses and multinational corporations. SD-WAN and Wi-Fi are key technologies, and World Wi-Fi Day is the perfect time to recognize their synergy.