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Driving Connectivity in Smart Cities: Cityroam’s OpenRoaming™ Revolution
Cityroam, a roaming federation specializing in secure Wi-Fi roaming services, established in 2018, made a significant move in 2020 by deploying OpenRoaming (OR) in Japan.
This deployment marked a milestone for Cityroam, as they established an international partnership for their development of the roaming platform in Cityroam because it allows seamless connectivity to Wi-Fi networks without the need for multiple logins or installations of new apps. This benefits the users by providing safe and high-speed free Wi-Fi access, enabling them to stay connected effortlessly while moving between different Wi-Fi networks in Japan.
20 Years Infographic
For the past two decades, the WBA has been at the forefront of advancing wireless broadband technologies and fostering global collaboration. We have witnessed tremendous growth and innovation, fueling the development of a connected world. This momentous occasion allows us to reflect on our accomplishments and set the stage for an exciting future.
Delhaize Delivers Wi-Fi Excellence in Retail with OpenRoaming™
Retail businesses rely on technology to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience, and Wi-Fi access is a critical part of this equation. However, creating a reliable and secure Wi-Fi network across different locations and networks can be challenging. This is where OpenRoaming comes in, a technology that streamlines network access for users by providing a secure, seamless connection across different networks.
The case study of Delhaize showcases how effective OpenRoaming deployment can benefit retailers, improving the user experience, and enhancing business operations. This article will delve into the details of Delhaize’s OpenRoaming deployment, exploring its benefits and how it has helped resolve specific issues in retail.
OpenRoaming™ for Education Brochure
WBA OpenRoaming™ is a ground breaking solution that directly addresses the challenges faced by the education sector. By providing a comprehensive framework, OpenRoaming empowers billions of users and devices to seamlessly connect to millions of Wi-Fi networks across the globe. With this innovative approach, educational institutions can establish a connected digital campus and contribute to the formation of a robust global Wi-Fi network.
Operator Managed Wi-Fi Reference Architecture and Requirements
With the increasing prevalence of Wi-Fi as the primary method of internet connectivity, the term “Wi-Fi” has become synonymous with the internet itself. Consequently, users perceive their internet quality of experience (QoE) as synonymous with Wi-Fi QoE. Users no longer differentiate between Wi-Fi service and internet service, expecting their Wi-Fi issues to be resolved by their internet service provider (ISP). This shift has turned Wi-Fi into a managed service, specifically managed by the operator, hence the term “operator-managed.”
This is WBA’s first document on operator-managed Wi-Fi, and it is anticipated that later phases of work will expand the scope of the requirements hereby defined.
The technical paper, “Operator Managed Wi-Fi: Reference Architecture and Requirements” outlines a new operator-managed Wi-Fi (OMWi) reference architecture. The proposed framework will combine multiple available standards to streamline Wi-Fi data collection, Wi-Fi management, configuration, and optimization of home networks, simplifying the analysis and decision-making process for carriers.
This paper represents the first phase of that journey, presenting an operator-managed Wi-Fi reference architecture that combines the benefits of all available standards, including Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) Wi-Fi EasyMesh™, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Data Elements™, and Broadband Forum (BBF) User Services Platform (USP) Data Models TR-369 and TR-181. Wi-Fi Alliance EasyMesh™, for instance, can be utilized as the standard interface for Wi-Fi data collection, Wi-Fi management, configuration, and optimization on home networks with a standalone gateway.
Register now for the upcoming webinar on 6th June, 2023 “Optimizing Wi-Fi Experience with Operator-Managed Networks.”
Private 5G And Wi-Fi Convergence – Key Use Cases And Requirements
The paper outlines four possible deployment models for bringing 5G into enterprise networks, as well as the key considerations for choosing each one, such as the nature of the application, latency in the core and RAN interfaces, and the location and manageability of services. The four models are as follows:
- On-premises core network and application services – Data sovereignty, site resiliency, and application latency requirements are ensured by keeping all traffic on-prem. Access to conventional enterprise cloud-based applications is enabled, subject to normal limitations around resiliency and latency.
- On-Premises user plane and application services – The paper outlines several reasons to move the control plane to the cloud, such as the need for control plane aggregation in a multi-site 5G core network deployment. All other 5G elements and the application services are on-premises, except the 5G control plane elements.
- Cloud-based core network and application services – User plane traffic from 5G devices will always have to enter the cloud. In such deployment models, it may be possible to move the 5G core network and user plane elements to the cloud where the applications services are located.
- The hybrid model – There are some application services in the cloud, and some are on-prem. To support such a model, there can be two different Data Network Names (DNN’s), one for supporting applications that are on-premises and another for supporting applications in the cloud.
Unlocking Wi-Fi Potential with OpenRoaming – Webinar Recording
OpenRoaming is an open industry standard promoted by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), which automates device onboarding and roaming between different Wi-Fi networks. The WBA brings together a federation of trusted identity providers that allow users to join any network managed by a federation member. The network can authenticate devices automatically by using established identity providers, such as a service provider, device manufacturer, cloud ID, and loyalty memberships. During this webinar, you will learn more about the opportunities for service providers, brands, enterprises, venues, and identity managers to monetize their existing Wi-Fi footprint with OpenRoaming as well as the roadmap for innovation.
Program Overview 2023
WBA connects people with the latest Wi-Fi initiatives.
Download the latest WBA Programs and Projects Overview and learn more about how WBA can help your business.
Rural Wi-Fi Connectivity
Wi-Fi is Essential to Bridge the Digital Divide in Rural Areas
In this Rural Wi-Fi Connectivity: Challenges, Use Cases and Case Studies, it sets out how mobile operators, fiber providers & cable companies should be using Wi-Fi to serve the 1 billion consumers & businesses where copper, fiber & cellular struggle technologically and economically.
This report also demonstrates why Wi-Fi is the most economical and effective technology for bridging the digital divide in small towns, remote communities and other sparsely populated areas, utilising the best available backhaul solution.
We discuss the critical factors applicable to Wi-Fi networks in rural areas including:
- Broadband deployment challenges
- Relevant use cases
- Best practices in the ecosystem
- Importance of an unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi to connect the unconnected
- Real-world case studies, and
- Business models from different regions
