Wireless-First Infrastructure Explained: Lessons from Arvin Singh

Tabby Worthington
Arvin Singh, Bigleaf Networks, customer experience, fixed wireless access, Hybrid WAN, IoT connectivity, network reliability, NextGen Technology Advisory, private 5G, sd-wan, wireless-first infrastructure

Wireless-First Is the New Default

For years, companies treated wireless as the safety net that kicked in when fiber failed. That mindset no longer fits the reality of enterprise networks.
In this episode of Go Beyond the Connection, Arvin Singh, Founder and CEO at NextGen Technology Advisory, explains why wireless-first infrastructure now delivers the speed, reliability, and simplicity that wired-only environments struggle to match.

After nearly two decades at Verizon, where he led global 5G and edge-innovation teams, Arvin helps startups, telcos, and enterprises use connectivity as a strategic advantage. He says today’s fixed-wireless access (FWA) and SD-WAN solutions have matured far beyond backup duty—and are ready to serve as primary connections across hundreds of thousands of business locations.

From Backup to Business Backbone

“There was a time in our history when wireless was used mainly as backup connectivity to wired circuits,” Arvin recalls.

Nationwide 4G and 5G build-outs changed that equation. With abundant spectrum and multi-carrier reach, enterprises can now launch new sites in days instead of months.

Why it matters

Faster deployment: No waiting for trenching or permitting; drop in a pre-configured wireless appliance and connect.
Higher resilience: SD-WAN continuously monitors multiple paths, shifting traffic automatically when latency rises or a circuit drops.
Broader reach: 5G and satellite backhaul extend connectivity to rural or temporary sites where fiber simply isn’t an option.

How Wireless Shapes Customer Experience

“Getting customer experience using wireless connectivity clearly lowers the cost of acquisition of customers,” Arvin explains.

When connectivity goes live quickly and stays stable, customers feel the difference—from order fulfillment to payment processing. Shorter launch cycles mean faster revenue, and consistent uptime supports premium service experiences that strengthen loyalty.

Wireless-first isn’t just an IT strategy; it’s a CX strategy. Reliable, low-latency performance ensures that applications, sensors, and transactions work the first time, every time—especially in distributed or retail environments with no on-site IT staff.

Simplifying Complexity for Lean IT Teams

Modern multi-mode designs blend public, private, and Wi-Fi networks into a single managed experience. Arvin notes that IT leaders no longer need to shoulder that complexity alone.

“There are enough tools at our disposal to be able to source the right players and get a quick study on what the right modality of connectivity is and what problems we can solve effectively.”

Carriers have invested hundreds of billions in infrastructure, and partners such as Bigleaf Networks make those capabilities simple to deploy and manage. SD-WAN orchestration handles path control, application prioritization, and performance monitoring—allowing small teams to deliver enterprise-grade reliability.

A Practical Next Step

Arvin’s closing advice is clear and actionable:

“Test out a fixed wireless connection over 5G and don’t just do it for the sake of the connection. Put a business application on it and see for yourself the kind of performance, reliability, and resiliency these networks offer.”

Run a pilot. Measure latency, uptime, and application stability under real workloads. Use those metrics to guide hybrid designs that balance cost, performance, and growth. The evidence overwhelmingly shows that wireless-first is not only viable—it’s often the smarter business decision.