As IoT and edge deployments scale, securely bringing large numbers of devices online remains complex and resource intensive. The OpenRoaming® for IoT Trials Report, developed by the Wireless Broadband Alliance with the FIDO Alliance, demonstrates a standards-based approach to simplify this process.
Building on the OpenRoaming for IoT – FIDO Device Onboard Framework, published by WBA and FIDO Alliance in 2024, which defined how OpenRoaming and FDO could work together to enable secure, zero-touch onboarding of Wi-Fi IoT devices. This latest phase moves the work from framework development into practical testing and validation through a proof of concept.
By combining OpenRoaming, Passpoint® and FIDO Device Onboard (FDO), the trial validated that factory-provisioned devices can automatically connect to an OpenRoaming network at first power-on and begin secure ownership transfer and onboarding without manual Wi-Fi configuration.
Key takeaways
- Zero-touch onboarding is technically feasible, reducing manual Wi-Fi configuration and credential handling.
- OpenRoaming provides a secure bootstrap connection, enabling devices to reach trusted onboarding services.
- FDO manages secure ownership transfer and configuration, including delivery of network credentials, policies and applications.
- Manufacturing becomes part of the trust framework, with device-bound credentials provisioned before shipment.
- The model supports device redeployment, devices can be securely redeployed into new operational environments.
For the industry, this is a significant step towards simpler, more secure and scalable IoT onboarding. It demonstrates how OpenRoaming can extend beyond connecting people to become a trusted bootstrap layer for machines and connected products, while maintaining enterprise control over the final operational network. The report also sets the foundation for multi-vendor validation, further interoperability testing and real-world deployment at scale.
An Invitation to Industry
The WBA and FIDO Alliance are inviting device manufacturers, enterprises, operators, infrastructure providers and IoT solution developers to participate in the next phase of the work. Priorities include real-world, multi-vendor trials, industry-specific proofs of concept, certificate lifecycle testing and further development for air-gapped and resource-constrained environments.
Organizations interested in contributing use cases and insights are encouraged to engage with the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) with this form
This whitepaper is brought to you by: : WBA OpenRoaming Standard Work Group.
To participate and learn more about WBA coming projects, contact WBA PMO.
Key Participants
Organizations highlighted in the final briefing should indicate project leaders and members of the editorial team.
