Resource Centre Archive - Wireless Broadband Alliance

Signaling AP Location for Wi-Fi Roaming

As Wi-Fi networks mature, identifying the location of access points has become increasingly critical for various functions, including network management, troubleshooting, security, and regulatory compliance.

The “Signaling AP Location for Wi-Fi Roaming” report explores scenarios where an Identity Provider (IDP) can benefit from knowing the location of an End-User authenticating at an Access Network Provider (ANP) using the IDP’s credentials. This is especially relevant as Wi-Fi becomes integrated into multi-technology networks, leading to complex financial settlement arrangements and mission-critical applications where location reporting becomes essential.

Key benefits to the Wi-Fi industry highlighted in this report include:

Identifying use cases where communicating the location of End-Users or ANP APs to the IDP is crucial, such as network selection (Wi-Fi or cellular) based on AP location, Connected vehicle fleet management, Roaming Hub Policy, and Emergency call support for Mobile Vurtial Network Operators, Emergency calling using OpenRoaming architecture.
Identifying current standards and gaps where further guidelines or standards work may be necessary.
Raising awareness in the industry of this need and providing a starting point for addressing it for both manufacturers and IDPs.

This report crystallizes the emerging need for AP location information in Wi-Fi roaming scenarios, providing concrete recommendations to aid and accelerate industry adoption of Signaling Location in RADIUS. It also addresses technical challenges and opportunities for consistent and standardized delivery of location information within OpenRoaming, ensuring comprehensive and consistent location reporting across the industry for more efficient Wi-Fi network management.

For organizations eager to share relevant use cases and learning on Wi-Fi Roaming, we encourage you to reach out to the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) at pmo@wballiance.com. Be part of shaping the future of Wi-Fi.

10 - 04 - 24 | WBA white papers

Connected Communities Forum (CCF) Meeting – March 21, 2024

WBA’s Connected Communities Forum (CCF) co-hosted an exciting event with Dentons Global Smart Cities & Connected Communities Think Tank, featuring a fireside chat with Robert Schwartz, President & CEO of Anterix and a panel discussion moderated by Clint Vince and featuring Erin Spears, New Orleans City Council; Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for Mayor of London; David Wilkins, Head of Digital Place at Westminster City Council; Michael Lee Sherwood, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer for City of Las Vegas; and Alphonso Jenkins, Strategist for Broadband Communications.

27 - 03 - 24 | WBA TV

Enterprise Connectivity Forum (ECF) – March 6, 2024 – Presentation Slide Deck

The first ECF meeting of 2024 featured Fira Barcelona sharing the details of their deployment of OpenRoaming, hot off the back of Mobile World Congress 2024; Ahold Delhaize on using OpenRoaming to deliver retail excellence in their 7000+ stores in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg and allowing users to connect to Wi-Fi via their loyalty app; plus a lively panel discussion featuring top executives from Cloud4Wi and Ruckus-CommScope, including audience participation. Learn more about the ECF and how you can get involved here: https://wballiance.com/ecf/

06 - 03 - 24 | Presentations