WBA white papers

WBA OpenRoaming™ Introduction Guide

OpenRoaming offers a seamless, secure, and automatic Wi-Fi experience akin to cellular roaming. By bridging the gap between Wi-Fi networks worldwide, OpenRoaming simplifies connectivity for users, enhancing user experiences while maintaining robust security standards. This comprehensive guide, provided by the Wireless Broadband Alliance, delves into the technicalities, benefits, and strategic implementation of OpenRoaming to revolutionize public, guest, and enterprise Wi-Fi networks.

Who Should Read This Guide?

This guide is indispensable for network operators, service providers, technology vendors, and enterprise IT professionals who are looking to enhance their Wi-Fi service capabilities and offer a superior user experience.

Wi-Fi Experience for Moving Networks

In today’s connected world, reliable Wi-Fi is essential, even on the go. The “Wi-Fi Experience for Moving Networks” report delves into the critical need to improve Wi-Fi connectivity in dynamic environments such as buses, trains, planes, and ships. These moving networks face unique challenges, from fluctuating connectivity to security concerns, that require tailored solutions.

Key Insights:

• Challenges in Moving Networks: The report identifies key issues such as inconsistent service quality, handover difficulties, security risks, and the complexities of deploying Wi-Fi in moving vehicles.
• Innovative Solutions: It offers practical solutions like implementing advanced standards (Passpoint®), improving network transitions, enhancing security, and ensuring service continuity even during disruptions.
• Practical Use Cases: Detailed use cases demonstrate how to streamline Wi-Fi connectivity, enhance user engagement through landing pages, offer tiered service models, and maintain continuous connectivity throughout a journey.
• Industry Benefits: By adopting these strategies, the Wi-Fi industry can improve passenger experiences, reduce operational costs, increase revenue opportunities, and stay ahead of technological advancements.

The WBA invites industry stakeholders, including infrastructure providers, airlines, train and bus operators, and mobile device manufacturers, to participate in trials aimed at addressing these challenges and exploring next-generation Wi-Fi technologies.

Download the full report now to explore actionable insights and strategies to optimize connectivity in moving networks and drive business success.

For organizations eager to share relevant use cases and learning, we encourage you to reach out to the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) with this form. Be part of shaping the future of Wi-Fi.

WBA Access Network Metrics – Phase 1

The WBA Access Network Metrics Working Group is dedicated to crafting a framework that effectively communicates the Quality of Experience (QoE) of Wi-Fi access networks to stakeholders. This encompasses mobile operators using commercial cellular offload, participants in roaming consortiums like WBA OpenRoaming™, users of settlement-free Passpoint services, and enterprises that need reliable connections to third-party Wi-Fi networks.

This ‘Access Network Metrics’ report initiates the first phase, assessing the need for access network metrics and proposing methods essential for capturing data to evaluate networks, leveraging key indicators to quantify network performance.

The paper emphasizes the need for clear QoE evidence and identifies use cases that enhance the experience for both users and providers. It outlines crucial metrics and provides a roadmap for advancing this initiative with the necessary calculations and data communication methods. The report delves into standard Wi-Fi metrics and offers advice on how Wi-Fi devices can leverage detailed QoE metrics for smarter roaming choices, thus improving both user satisfaction and provider performance. It addresses the challenges present in current Wi-Fi networks, reaffirms the value of explicit QoE evidence, and demonstrates the advantages for users and providers. The research specifies essential metrics and introduces a framework for assessing and sharing Wi-Fi network quality, aiming to foster a more dependable and efficient Wi-Fi future.

The working group is now embarking on Phase 2, focusing on industry alignment regarding how applications become aware of network QoS. Notably, 3GPP has introduced a Network Exposure Function (NEF) that allows an application function to receive notifications about analytics related to user data congestion, network performance, QoS sustainability, and service experience. Phase 2 will explore the potential reuse and/or adaptation of 3GPP NEF-based approaches to support the Wi-Fi use cases identified.

Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT Field Trials Report

Building on the successful real-world applications of Phase 1 of the Wi-Fi HaLow  for IoT project across multiple sectors, which demonstrated deployed IEEE 802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow ability to provide reliable, long-range, low-power connectivity, making it an ideal solution for a variety of IoT scenarios.

The “Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT: Field Trials Report” demonstrated the effectiveness of IEEE 802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow, which provides reliable, long-range, and low-power connectivity across diverse IoT scenarios. Notably, the trials were conducted in the United States, showcasing the technology’s scalability and efficiency in dense urban areas and large industrial settings.

This comprehensive report details significant enhancements in range, material penetration, battery life, device density, security, installation, management, and data throughput compared to existing Wi-Fi standards. Application use cases tested include Smart Home, Warehousing, Smart Farm, Smart City, Smart Office Building, Smart School Campus, and Smart Industrial Complex, focusing on large-scale implementations and the challenges posed by different environments.

The WBA now invites industry players from EMEA and APAC to engage in the upcoming Phase 3 trials, aiming to further explore and expand the capabilities of Wi-Fi HaLow technology in diverse environments and applications.

For organizations eager to share relevant use cases and learning, we encourage you to reach out to the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) with this form. Be part of shaping the future of Wi-Fi.

RADIUS Accounting Assurance Industry Framework

Discover the transformative potential of accurate RADIUS accounting with our latest report, “RADIUS Accounting Assurance Industry Framework.” Developed by the WBA members, this comprehensive framework addresses critical challenges in RADIUS accounting practices, vital for network management and Wi-Fi roaming.

Why RADIUS Accounting Matters

Since its inception in 1997, RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service) accounting remains crucial for monitoring data usage across network access servers. As network technologies advance and demand for seamless connectivity grows, the accuracy of RADIUS accounting data is pivotal for operational excellence and customer satisfaction.

With a particular focus on Wi-Fi networks and roaming scenarios, the report highlights the need for accurate data usage tracking to ensure effective billing, analytics, and settlement processes.

Highlights and Benefits:

• Enhanced Data Accuracy: Implement standardized methodologies for detecting and correcting errors to ensure precise data reporting and billing.
• Reduced Financial Discrepancies: Address billing errors and financial disputes, especially critical in Wi-Fi roaming scenarios.
• Improved Interoperability: Promote seamless integration across diverse network equipment, enhancing system compatibility and functionality.
• Industry Best Practices: Access expert insights on standardized methods to detect, report, and handle inaccuracies for reliable data handling.
• Collaborative Efforts: Learn about initiatives led by the WBA’s Roaming Work Group and the integration into the Wireless Roaming Intermediary eXchange (WRIX) framework to unify and enhance RADIUS data management.
• Informed Decision Making: Use accurate data to make informed choices about network management, strategic planning, and capacity management.

The framework is an ongoing project, open to participation from industry stakeholders aiming to refine and enhance the reliability of RADIUS accounting. We invite industry players to join this collaborative effort to implement the proposed improvements and benefit from shared expertise, thus enhancing its effectiveness and industry acceptance.

For more information or to participate in upcoming projects, contact the WBA Program Management Office at pmo@wballiance.com.

Venue Requirements for User Engagement

The “Venue Requirements for User Engagement” report provides essential insights into optimizing user engagement and revenue opportunities in public Wi-Fi deployment. It emphasizes understanding user needs and leveraging technologies like OpenRoaming™ and Passpoint® to enhance connectivity and user experiences.

By prioritizing user engagement, businesses can reduce costs, increase revenue streams, ensure regulatory compliance, gain a competitive advantage, and facilitate Wi-Fi roaming. This comprehensive guide equips industry stakeholders with best practices to improve overall user experiences and drive business success in the dynamic landscape of public Wi-Fi provision.

The report underscores the critical need for industry stakeholders to prioritize user engagement in Wi-Fi network design and operation. By understanding and addressing the requirements of both venues and users, businesses can enhance the overall user experience, reduce costs, and unlock new revenue opportunities.

The benefits for operators and venues that improve user engagement include:

• Cost Reduction & Cost Control: Implementing efficient onboarding processes and standardized interfaces can help reduce the costs associated with managing and maintaining Wi-Fi networks, especially for venues with high user traffic.
• Increased Revenue Opportunities: By offering seamless and engaging user experiences, venues can attract more users, leading to potential revenue streams through advertising, pay-as-you-go models, or partnerships with third parties and roaming services.
• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding and implementing best practices for user engagement can help industry players comply with regulatory requirements related to user privacy, data protection, and network security.
• Competitive Advantage: Industry players that excel in user engagement and provide a seamless Wi-Fi experience can gain a competitive edge in the market, attracting more customers and partners.
• Wi-Fi roaming: Facilitated by the WBA’s OpenRoaming Federation, Wi-Fi roaming offers venues a valuable revenue stream and enhanced user experience. It simplifies Wi-Fi connectivity for users, ensuring secure network access and increasing customer satisfaction. Roaming can also be a form of user exchange, allowing seamless connectivity across partnerships, enriching and simplifying the user experience.

To organizations keen on sharing relevant use cases and insights on Wi-Fi, we invite you to connect with the WBA Program Management Office (PMO) at pmo@wballiance.com

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.

Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT

The “Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT” white paper gives an overview of the features, expected use cases, and markets for Wi-Fi HaLow. Wi-Fi HaLow enables extended ranges, improved penetration capabilities, extended battery life, enhanced device density, heightened peak throughput, minimized end-to-end delay, a higher level of security, ease of installation and management, and elevated data throughput in IoT scenarios.

WBA’s Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT program has moved into a new phase, testing 802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow solutions in real-world use cases with contributing industry members. These include a range of applications including Smart Home, Smart City, Building Automation, Smart Retail, Industrial IoT, and Agriculture Technology.

The project team will test the use cases and applications to demonstrate the benefits and performance Wi-Fi HaLow has in the real world, including understanding crucial metrics such as coverage areas, data rates, throughput, and signal reliability. A detailed analysis from the trials will inform new deployment guides, helping wider industry successfully roll-out IoT solutions, without having to resort to proprietary or non-IP technologies to gain the automation, insights and business benefits that IoT promises to deliver.

For organizations eager to share relevant use cases and learning, 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.

Enrollment Criteria for WBA E2E QoS Trials Phase 1: Enhancing QoS over Wi-Fi Links

The document outlines the enrollment criteria for the WBA E2E (End-to-End) QoS (Quality of Service) Trials, specifically focusing on Phase 1, which aims to enhance QoS over Wi-Fi links. Learn more about WBA E2E QoS Project.

Join the E2E QoS Trials – Phase 1: Improving QoS over Wi-Fi Links

As we look forward to 2024, the WBA invites industry players to join the Wireless Broadband Alliance and become integral participants in the E2E Wi-Fi QoS program. This phase is dedicated to enhancing Quality of Service over Wi-Fi links. Our upcoming initiatives include completing the test plan, initiating trials, and unveiling Deployment Guidelines. Additionally, we will concentrate on consolidating efforts, crafting guidelines for deployment, and delving into Low Latency Services (L4S) to cater to applications with low latency requirements.

For organizations eager to engage in this exciting project, 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.

E2E QoS Improvement: Optimizing QoS Over Wi-Fi

Operators and Enterprises can use QoS as a powerful market differentiator to attract and retain customers, such as business travelers who need reliable, high-performance Wi-Fi in airports. Enterprises need Wi-Fi networks that can provide the right QoS for each application, such as prioritizing HD video collaboration sessions over email and file transfers. And home Wi-Fi networks need to balance a variety of bandwidth-intensive, latency-sensitive applications, including multiplayer gaming, 4K streaming and remote work videoconferencing — often all simultaneously.

E2E QoS Improvement: Optimizing QoS Over Wi-Fi report explores how network operators can meet the unique QoS requirements for a wide variety of use cases and deployments, including gaming, residential broadband, live 4K video, enterprise, airports, stadiums and more.

As its name implies, end-to-end (E2E) QoS includes the application, such as cloud gaming or streaming video, Wi-Fi network elements such as access points (APs) and Wi-Fi client devices (like mobile phones and laptops). The E2E concept is about providing both visibility into and control over the user experience by leveraging QoS mechanisms at each step of a packet’s journey across the Wi-Fi ecosystem.

The paper discusses the use of ITU-T SG12 recommendations and corresponding tools to access objective mean opinion scores (MOS) the QoS streams during the trials with outcomes from the trials.

Additional future, WBA work includes expanding network topology to incorporate Wi-Fi mesh (Wi-Fi Alliance EasyMesh), extending QoS management to non-Wi-Fi links for E2E QoS and integrating new QoS management mechanisms from ongoing work in the IEEE802.11 Working Group and/or Wi-Fi Alliance QoS Management TG, and/or IETF.