In early 2011, we joined forces with the GSMA to address the need for a simplified process that will facilitate roaming between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. We both shared an interest in improving the Wi-Fi experience for end users, as well as enabling data offload and roaming. During the first phase of our joint project, a Wi-Fi Roaming whitepaper was released to address the alignment of GSMA and WBA roaming procedures.

We have now just completed Phase two of our core alignment activity where a set of ‘best practices’ has been identified. It was also deduced that there are two additional areas that the industry needs to focus on for Wi-Fi Roaming to fully come to fruition  Authentication Signaling Optimization and Session Continuity.

Authentication Signaling Optimization
The adoption of seamless authentication over Wi-Fi networks will result in an altered end user experience. Dual mode devices will mostly use Wi-Fi based on U/SIM card authentication and this will be carried out seamlessly with no input required from the user. However, it was recognized that under certain circumstances this may lead to a large amount of signaling traffic at some key network nodes.

We investigated the conditions which could potentially lead to this issue and the steps that are necessary to mitigate it. We also looked into authentication requests initiated by devices trying to associate to a WLAN network using seamless authentication techniques as supported by the Wi-Fi Alliance PasspointTM in Next Generation Networks (NGH). It was discovered that the introduction of SIM-based seamless authentication to Wi-Fi can only be a benefit to the mobile network customer when accessing these networks.

Session Continuity Polls
The requirement for seamless service continuity between 3GPP and Wi-Fi networks was identified as a priority for our members with a clear and unified vision from both operators and vendors needed regarding the adoption of session continuity. Accordingly, specific polls were developed to collect this data from the GSMA and WBA member communities to give an insight into how the wider industry perceives session continuity. The first stage was to identify the two major session continuity solutions available in the industry: Service Layer Continuity and IP Layer Continuity. The polls were then initiated and ran from December 2012 until January 2013.

The GSMA and WBA will continue to work collaboratively in order to help further develop Wi-Fi Roaming with the aim of increasing the quality of user experience.

For more information on this phase of our project with the GSMA, please click here.

Tiago Rodrigues, Program Director, WBA