At a pivotal moment in the evolution of global wireless standards, InterDigital is proud to celebrate the re-election of Diana Pani as Chair of 3GPP’s RAN2 working group. Diana, who made history in 2023 as the first woman elected to this role, will continue to guide one of the most influential standardization groups shaping the future of connectivity. Her leadership arrives at a crucial time as the wireless ecosystem transitions from the final stages of 5G-Advanced to the foundations of 6G – the technology that will power our increasingly connected future.
When Diana Pani was first elected Chair of RAN2, she broke new ground not only for InterDigital, but also for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. “It’s a great recognition of technical expertise and the ability to lead that took years to prove,” she reflected in a recent media interview. Her re-election underscores the trust and respect she has earned among industry peers, and sends a strong signal to the next generation of engineers – especially women – that their expertise and leadership matter at the highest levels of technology development.
Guiding Standards at a Critical Crossroads
RAN2 is one of the largest and most influential groups within 3GPP, with more than 350 engineers representing nearly 200 companies worldwide. Its work underpins the specifications that ensure mobile networks function seamlessly across borders, enabling billions of people to connect anywhere in the world.
As Chair, Pani is not only a facilitator of discussions but also a builder of consensus. She balances the diverse interests of companies from around the globe by fostering collaboration and ensuring decisions reflect the collective good of the industry. “A consensus-based process might slow things down, but it ensures the outcome reflects the collective interest of the industry,” she explained.
Her leadership comes at a critical juncture, as 3GPP is finalizing 5G-Advanced features while laying the groundwork for 6G, which will enable applications from immersive XR experiences to ultra-reliable, low-latency communications for industries and consumers alike.
Collaboration, Clarity, and Consensus Building
A hallmark of Diana’s leadership is her strong commitment to impartiality. By intentionally reducing her involvement in InterDigital’s internal technical debates, she ensures her role as Chair remains unbiased – often reading InterDigital’s contributions alongside those from other companies. This approach has reinforced trust within the global standards community and highlights a key InterDigital philosophy: “what’s good for the industry is good for us too.”
Equally important is Diana’s focus on quality over quantity. In a role where it’s not uncommon to receive and review more than 1,000 contributions per meeting, she has implemented clear agendas and contribution limits to ensure technical discussions remain productive and efficient. This emphasis on thoughtful collaboration and simplification of specifications is vital as the industry tackles the complexities of next-gen networks.
Shaping the Future of Global Connectivity
Beyond the technical challenges, Pani has also steered RAN2 through geopolitical complexities, such as the need to maintain collaboration despite trade restrictions and shifting dynamics between the U.S. and China. Her ability to preserve the integrity of the global standards process is a testament to the leadership required in today’s interconnected world.
She is also a strong advocate for the protection of foundational research. “Behind every patent there is an engineer or a team of engineers who have invested considerable time, money, and expertise to bring this invention to life,” she told IAM. This conviction underscores the vital role of companies like InterDigital, whose innovations form the backbone of standards, and must be recognized and rewarded.
InterDigital: Home to the Minds Defining the Future
Diana Pani’s re-election as RAN2 Chair is an incredible personal achievement and a reflection of the leaders and engineers throughout InterDigital who are shaping the future of wireless innovation. As a company committed to advancing global standards, InterDigital is proud to support leaders like Diana who help shape the technologies that define how the world connects.
As we look ahead to the 6G era, Diana’s leadership will play an instrumental role in building the standards that enable the next wave of innovation, ensuring that global connectivity remains seamless, scalable, and transformative.
Learn more about Diana Pani’s leadership and experience in her IAM interview here.