This blog was written by Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance.
After witnessing the successful deployment of Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) OpenRoaming™ in the City of Westminster – Connect London Wi-Fi, I had the privilege of experiencing its full potential firsthand during my recent visit to Tokyo, Japan. What I encountered was nothing short of transformational.
Seamless Connectivity Across Tokyo
Using my Connect London Wi-Fi OpenRoaming ID, I seamlessly connected to Tokyo Free Wi-Fi, with no logins, no interruptions, and no hassle. Just instant, secure, high-speed connectivity. It was a glimpse into the future, one where public and guest Wi-Fi becomes as seamless and reliable as mobile networks.
This wasn’t just an isolated experience; it was proof that OpenRoaming is revolutionizing public connectivity, making it:
✔ Effortless – No need to search for networks, remember passwords, or go through cumbersome logins.
✔ Secure – Encrypted and authenticated connections ensure peace of mind.
✔ Widespread – Available across multiple locations in Japan, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity wherever I went.
Japan is Leading the OpenRoaming Revolution
Japan is setting a global standard for public Wi-Fi connectivity. The country is rapidly adopting OpenRoaming, enhancing Wi-Fi to be smarter, more accessible, and user-friendly across various sectors, from major cities to airports and enterprises. Here are some key insights from my recent visit:
- Wire and Wireless (Wi2), a subsidiary of KDDI, is at the forefront of adopting OpenRoaming, managing over 100,000 Wi-Fi hotspots and ensuring seamless connectivity nationwide.
- Cityroam offers OpenRoaming services to its roaming partners and partner ISPs, as well as enterprise users, including hotels, resorts, transportation sectors, and more, enabling automatic and secure connections to Cityroam’s access points.
- Tokyo City Network is expanding the reach of OpenRoaming throughout Tokyo’s streets, which provided me with continuous Wi-Fi access, ensuring timely arrivals for my meetings without connectivity issues.
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s senior executives shared their plans for the next phase of OpenRoaming, aiming to enhance smart city infrastructure and elevate the public connectivity experience.
- OpenRoaming has been implemented in 12 cities, including notable locations such as Hakodate, Himeji, Kobe, Kyoto, Nagasaki, Okinawa and Osaka.
- The regional government of Osaka has introduced “Osaka Free Wi-Fi” with OpenRoaming, relocating hotspots to areas frequented by tourists.
- Tottori Airport now provides seamless Wi-Fi access to both travelers and businesses.
More OpenRoaming in Action:
- Allied Telesis is progressing towards OpenRoaming compliance, which will further strengthen the ecosystem and promote broader adoption both in Japan and internationally.
- NTT West, in collaboration with Nara Prefecture, is piloting OpenRoaming at the Nara Park Bus Terminal, where users can securely connect to any OpenRoaming-enabled hotspot worldwide after a one-time profile installation.
Why OpenRoaming is the Future of Wi-Fi
The world is embracing OpenRoaming, and the benefits are clear:
✔ For Municipalities – Improve urban connectivity, enhance smart city initiatives, and offer citizens a better digital experience.
✔ For Enterprises – Provide frictionless guest Wi-Fi access that’s secure and user-friendly.
✔ For Telcos & ISPs – Expand network reach, reduce churn, and enhance customer satisfaction.
✔ For Travelers & Citizens – Enjoy instant, safe, and reliable internet access without the need for multiple logins or subscriptions.
Join the OpenRoaming Federation Today
Explore Further:
Download the Wi2 Case Study to see how OpenRoaming is revolutionizing Japan’s digital landscape:
Wi2 OpenRoaming Public Wi-Fi in Japan.
Discover the impact of Cityroam’s OpenRoaming Revolution on smart city connectivity:
Cityroam Case Study.
