Many of us take seamless connectivity for granted. It seems effortless to stream videos, send photos, or run smart factories—but behind the scenes, an invisible web of technology is meticulously designed to make it happen. In this episode of Full Tech Ahead, host Amanda Razani sits down with Kelly Burroughs, Director of Strategy and Market Development at iBwave, to uncover the hidden world of wireless network design. From ensuring signals work in packed stadiums and underground metros, to powering the robots and autonomous vehicles that move goods, Kelly reveals the complex engineering and strategic planning that make our hyper-connected world possible.

Through years of experience helping enterprises and telecom leaders design reliable indoor and campus networks, Kelly has learned that a strong wireless foundation isn’t just technical—it’s critical for business scalability, automation and innovation. She explains how environmental factors, precise modeling and emerging technologies like AI all come together to create networks that perform flawlessly in the most demanding settings.

Summary
Kelly Burroughs, Director of Strategy and Market Development at iBwave, discussed the complexities of designing wireless networks. She emphasized the importance of surveying and modeling building environments accurately to avoid costly downtime and ensure network reliability. Burroughs highlighted the role of AI in speeding up simulation processes and providing proactive design recommendations. She noted that proper network design is crucial for supporting emerging technologies like AI and automation. Burroughs also stressed the need for enterprises to choose the right technology for their specific applications to achieve operational efficiencies and return on investment.

Quotes

• “Design is absolutely critical to ensuring reliable and dependable networks in a rapidly evolving wireless world.”
•  “You can’t just drop radios anywhere—you have to understand how signals behave in every environment.”
•  “The more accurate your model, the more accurate your performance will be.”
•  “If your robots go offline for ten minutes, that downtime can cost a company thousands.”
•  “AI won’t replace engineers—it will make them faster, smarter, and more proactive.”

Takeaways

• Survey before you design: Gather a complete picture of the environment, materials, and existing network performance before building.
• Model with precision: Every wall, shelf, and obstacle affects signal performance—accurate modeling saves time and money.
• Invest early to scale later: A solid network foundation allows enterprises to expand automation and AI without disruption.
• Use the right tech for the right task: Combine Wi-Fi for office needs with private 5G for critical, high-reliability operations.
• Leverage AI for efficiency: Automation can speed up simulation and identify performance issues before they arise.
• Never skip design: It’s the invisible layer that keeps every digital system running smoothly.

Timestamps
[00:00] Welcome and introduction to Kelly Burroughs
[01:00] What iBwave does and why it matters
[03:00] The importance of environmental surveys and modeling
[06:00] How poor design leads to downtime and high costs
[09:00] The role of AI in wireless network design
[12:00] Private networks and the balance between Wi-Fi and 5G
[14:00] Preparing for the future of wireless connectivity
[15:30] Key takeaway: why design is the foundation of reliability
Links/Resources

Website: ibwave.com: https://www.ibwave.com/
LinkedIn: Kelly Burroughs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpburroughs/
Podcast: Full Tech Ahead

Find Amanda Razani on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-razani-990a7233/