Now Buffering: How to Solve the Top Hurdles Fans Face in Streaming Live Sports explores how the shift from traditional television to digital streaming is reshaping the way fans experience live sports. It examines the forces behind this transition, from evolving viewing habits and the rise of subscription services to the globalization of sports fandom.
Wireless Lab
Our teams conduct deep research ahead of industry standards to shape the technologies that power tomorrow's networks and devices and help define how they operate worldwide. Through active participation in 3GPP and other standards organizations, we help translate breakthrough research into the specifications that underpin future wireless generations. From technologies that support reliable, secure emergency services to energy-efficient, high-capacity spectrally efficient mobile networks, our inventions make billions of seamless connections around the world.
Our Wireless Work in Action
You have likely experienced the impact of InterDigital's wireless innovation without realizing it. Here are just a few ways our research is improving everyday life and shaping future technologies:
Longer Battery Life
InterDigital's innovations in 5G have helped reduce the device power needed for high-speed downloads, extending your phone's battery life and keeping you connected longer.
Faster Upload Speeds
Video uploads that previously took minutes under the 4G standard can now happen in seconds thanks to InterDigital innovations that were standardized in 5G.
Emergency Satellite Connection
When cellular networks are not available, satellite connections can be a lifeline. InterDigital is developing wireless solutions that help make emergency satellite communication more reliable and accessible.
Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Our 5G and V2X research helps connected and autonomous vehicles communicate with surrounding cars and road infrastructure—enabling features like hazard alerts, traffic signal coordination, and secure over-the-air updates used by today's leading OEMs.
Fixed Wireless Access
Our research in millimeter wave technology used in fixed wireless access (FWA) helps bring high-speed internet to homes and businesses where wired connections like traditional cable and fiber are not accessible.
Immersive Experiences
InterDigital innovations in edge computing, sensor processing, and network infrastructure underpin AR/XR/VR technologies that bring immersivity to gaming, sports entertainment, and everyday experiences, like smart glasses that perform real-time object recognition and context-aware translation.
Explore Our Wireless Research Areas in Depth
Learn more about the research areas where we are shaping wireless technologies.
5G and 5G-Advanced
Delivering faster speeds, lower latency, and smarter connectivity for the current generation.
Explore 5G and 5G-Advanced 
Next-Generation Wi-Fi
Advancing high-performance access technologies across homes, enterprises, and public spaces.
Explore Next-Generation Wi-Fi
6G
Shaping the next generation of wireless with AI-native networks, integrated sensing and communications, immersive XR, and ultra-reliable global coverage.
Explore 6G
Long-Term Research Projects
Building the foundation for new network paradigms and services beyond tomorrow's wireless advances.
Explore Long-Term Research Projects
Sustainability in Wireless
Wireless growth brings rising energy demands. At InterDigital, we are embedding sustainability into every step of wireless design to reduce power use and environmental impact:
- Green RAN initiatives enable energy-efficient radio access network architectures
- Edge-aware processing cuts data transport to save energy
- Efficient standards are designed to reduce power at every layer of the network
- Device-level savings extend battery life for IoT and mobile devices
By designing wireless systems that are both powerful and sustainable, we help networks, enterprises, and consumers connect responsibly.
Our Wireless Teams
Our Wireless Lab is made up of three teams, each with a distinct focus and set of research objectives.
Developing "what's next" in wireless
The Wireless Research group works in early-stage technology innovation.
• Builds early industry consensus around emerging wireless technology like 6G
• Contributes to pre-standardization initiatives like the Next G Alliance and university research programs
• Runs research centers to nurture talent and prototype new concepts
• Prototypes and showcases new technologies to enable industry collaboration
Leadership in Wireless Standards
InterDigital advances wireless innovations through contributions to standards bodies, including 3GPP, IEEE, IETF, ETSI, and ITU‑R.
Where We Are Leading Wireless Standards and Research
InterDigital advocates for wireless standards through leadership in various international organizations, including IEEE, IETF, ETSI, ATIS/NGA and 3GPP. As of 2025, our innovators hold two 3GPP Chair positions, making InterDigital one of the very few companies to hold this honor. Our wireless research projects have brought us into partnership with numerous organizations, both public and private, from the United States government to European 6G initiatives.
