OpenWiFi project adopts OpenRoaming standard for vision of ‘global Wi-Fi network’
OpenWiFi wants the world to be one big Wi-Fi network
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Telecom Infra Project’s (TIP) OpenWiFi project has adopted the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s (WBA) OpenRoaming standard, paving the way for users to seamlessly move between hotspots without the need to reconnect or enter security credentials.
OpenWiFi wants to reimagine the way that wireless networks are built and managed by solving the issue of fragmentation.
The idea is that a user will have a common identity that can be used across multiple networks with no additional interaction as handoffs between access points are managed in the same way that mobile operators move subscribers from cell to cell.
Wi-Fi 6 OpenRoaming
The project will leverage open-source development and automated testing so that Wi-Fi providers can use equipment and software, such as cloud controllers and smart analytics, from multiple vendors, safe in the knowledge that they will be compatible.
“WBA OpenRoaming is a strong complement to OpenWiFi as both projects are designed to remove barriers to connectivity,” said Tiago Rodrigues, WBA CEO. “The WBA and TIP are both envisioning a world, hopefully not too far away, where digital connectivity becomes simpler and more streamlined for the entire ecosystem of communications service providers, OEMs, enterprises and consumers.”
The grand vision is to make the world a “single, giant Wi-Fi network” that allows billions of people to connect automatically and securely in any location, complementing cellular connectivity in converged network architectures. The use of Wi-Fi has other advantages in certain scenarios, such as more reliable connections and faster speeds in areas with poor mobile coverage, and lower battery consumption.
OpenRoaming technology has been successfully trialled in Orkney by Cisco and has been rolled out commercially in London’s Canary Wharf. Cisco transferred the management of OpenRoaming to the WBA last year, hoping to foster cross-industry collaboration and support.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Other supporters include of AT&T, Boingo, Broadcom, Commscope, Deutsche Telekom, Facebook,Google,Intel, Net Experience andSamsung.
Steve McCaskill is TechRadar Pro’s resident mobile industry expert, covering all aspects of the UK and global news, from operators to service providers and everything in between. He is a former editor of Silicon UK and journalist with over a decade’s experience in the technology industry, writing about technology, in particular, telecoms, mobile and sports tech, sports, video games and media.
TP-Link Archer BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router review
Ulefone Armor Pad 3 Pro rugged tablet review
Arcane season 2 finally gave us the huge Caitlyn and Vi moment we’ve been waiting for – and its creators say ‘we couldn’t have done it in season one’
