Seamless, secure, and simple: that’s how the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) describes OpenRoaming, its initiative to make connecting to Wi-Fi easier around the world.
In this Q&A, WBA CEO Tiago Rodrigues discusses the vision behind OpenRoaming, its benefits, and the opportunities it creates for network providers. Originally conducted during the technology’s early rollout, the conversation offers insight into how the initiative began and what it set out to accomplish.
What Is OpenRoaming, and How Does It Work?
Q: Can you give us an overview of OpenRoaming and the steps the WBA has taken to create this opportunity?
Our goal with WBA OpenRoaming is to enable one global Wi-Fi network. WBA OpenRoaming is a globally available Wi-Fi federation that offers automatic and secure connectivity to millions of Wi-Fi networks. It’s a worldwide, standards-led approach to public guest Wi-Fi.
We want to improve how individual users and businesses engage with Wi-Fi. For instance, OpenRoaming removes the need to repeatedly log in, reconnect, share passwords, or re-register for Wi-Fi networks as you travel locally, nationally, or internationally.
Wi-Fi is one of, if not THE most, groundbreaking wireless technologies. Just consider how it has reshaped people’s relationship with work and enabled productivity on the move. During the global pandemic, people also came to rely on it to work, study, and stay connected to family and friends. With OpenRoaming, we are defining a new generation of Wi-Fi connectivity.
What Are the Benefits of OpenRoaming for Consumers?
Q: What are the benefits of OpenRoaming to consumers?
Without a doubt, its ease of use, combined with peace of mind. OpenRoaming changes the way users connect to Wi-Fi. After one initial sign-up, consumers gain access to public guest Wi-Fi networks operated by members of the federation.
No matter where in the world you are, OpenRoaming automates how you connect to Wi-Fi while seamlessly aligning with cellular network connectivity. It does this by bringing together a federation of trusted identity providers. This allows individual users to automatically join any network managed by a federation member.
You can be in a stadium, a theatre, or a coffee shop. It doesn’t matter, because it will just connect. In fact, consumers shouldn’t really notice OpenRoaming. It works in the background, helping ensure their Wi-Fi connectivity remains uninterrupted and secure.
How Does OpenRoaming Support 5G Convergence?
Q: How does OpenRoaming future-proof network providers for convergence with 5G?
By changing how millions of Wi-Fi networks manage access, we are enabling one seamless global Wi-Fi network. We’re also opening up business opportunities in a 5G world. Businesses that join the OpenRoaming federation can extend and deepen customer relationships, improve customer experiences, and create new business models.
It provides customers with automatic, secure Wi-Fi connectivity and global reach across millions of Wi-Fi hotspots supported by WBA OpenRoaming members.
But it goes further than that, too. OpenRoaming enables businesses to build roaming partnerships more easily and expand their Wi-Fi portfolio of services. Members can grow and scale Wi-Fi revenues through roaming and offload services. They can also explore opportunities to develop new revenue streams and attract customers.
Finally, OpenRoaming future-proofs networks for convergence with 5G by building on standards such as WRiX and Passpoint®.
What Did the OpenRoaming Pilot Programs Reveal?
Q: Can you tell us about the organization and results of the OpenRoaming pilot programs?
The pilot programs, such as those in Barcelona and Orkney, Scotland, have been valuable learning experiences. They’ve shown us how different federation members work together to create a seamless public Wi-Fi experience and what that experience is like for consumers.
For example, attendees of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2019 were among the first to trial the OpenRoaming framework. The initiative brought together WBA, Cisco, and Samsung. The venue’s network was run by Unitronics, while Cellnex operated the city’s network. Even the city’s airport and train stations were part of the trial. For conference-goers, it felt like one big, seamless network.
That’s why, when it comes to actual feedback from individual users…well, we don’t have too much to share. They just…connected. It was as easy as that. And it enabled individual users to use less data!
But, of course, there’s a lot of complexity hiding behind that kind of easy, intuitive customer experience. From a business standpoint, it enables federation members to extend and deepen roaming relationships and create new business models.
Where Were the First Commercial OpenRoaming Deployments Planned?
Q: When and where can we expect to see OpenRoaming appear first?
You’ll see the first commercial deployment take place in Europe, in London’s Canary Wharf, thanks to an initiative between Cisco and Virgin Media. For residents of the Canary Wharf estate, roaming between different Wi-Fi hotspots will be simple, seamless, and secure.
From a commercial perspective, OpenRoaming will allow Virgin Media and Cisco to use advanced location-based analytics. This will help clients roll out new services to their customers.
Whatever kind of business you’re in, OpenRoaming offers opportunities. Whether you’re a small coffee shop or a five-star hotel chain, you can benefit if you provide public Wi-Fi to customers.
WBA OpenRoaming enables you to improve the customer experience and explore new growth opportunities as demand for Wi-Fi connectivity increases.
It’s easy to sign up. Simply visit the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s OpenRoaming website for more details or talk to your IT solutions provider.
OpenRoaming’s Continued Evolution
Since this interview, OpenRoaming has progressed beyond its initial pilot programs. The Wireless Broadband Alliance continues to develop the framework, bringing together network operators, identity providers, and technology partners to expand seamless Wi-Fi connectivity.
For businesses investing in wireless infrastructure, OpenRoaming highlights the importance of interoperability and secure network access. These capabilities are particularly relevant in high-density environments such as stadiums, airports, and large commercial properties.
At HNM Systems, we support telecommunications and digital infrastructure projects by connecting organizations with specialized technical talent. As wireless technologies continue to evolve, having the right expertise remains essential to successful network deployment and operations.
To learn more about OpenRoaming, including its latest developments and implementation resources, visit the Wireless Broadband Alliance.
