The OpenWiFi project adopts the OpenRoaming standard

Give users the ability to move seamlessly between hotspots without having to reconnect and enter their credentials. A dream today, but a reality tomorrow with the OpenRoaming standard of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA). This has just been adopted by Telecom Infra Project as part of the OpenWiFi project. The latter aims to reinvent the way wireless networks are built and managed by solving the problem of fragmentation.

To go from one access point to another (handover) seamlessly, the project relies on open source software and automated tests. This set will be integrated into the various equipment and software of WiFi suppliers, such as cloud controllers or smart analytics to ensure their interoperability.

Promising tests pending the support of all

OpenRoaming technology has been successfully tested in the Orkney Islands by Cisco and has been commercially deployed in the Canary Wharf district. In 2020, Cisco transferred management of OpenRoaming to the WBA in hopes of fostering greater collaboration and support from other companies. Among them are AT&T, Boingo, Broadcom, Commscope, Deutsche Telekom, Facebook, Google, Intel, Net Experience and Samsung.

“WBA OpenRoaming is a solid complement to OpenWiFi, as both projects are designed to remove the barriers of connectivity,” said Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of WBA. He adds that with Telecom Infra Project, they “envision a world where connectivity becomes simpler and more streamlined for the entire ecosystem of communications service providers, OEMs, businesses and the general public.” The vision of a “single giant WiFi network” is therefore gaining ground, particularly in scenarios of areas poorly covered by the mobile network.