MWC 2014: Wi-Fi Alliance, WBA to demo Wi-Fi roaming

At the Mobile World Congress 2014, Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and Wi-Fi Alliance will conduct demonstration of Wi-Fi roaming.

Visitors will be able to see seamless network authentication where Passpoint devices will be made available for attendees to roam on to the demonstration network.

Supported by 18 operators, the demonstration offers an exclusive look at a live WBA Next Generation Hotspot network using Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint equipment from seven vendors.

Data traffic pressure on wireless networks is expected to increase more than 400 percent in the next four years.

Maravedis-Rethink study on behalf of WBA says more than half of operators surveyed have become more confident about investing in public Wi-Fi than in the previous year.

WiFi Alliance

More than 27 global operators have participated in three phases of WBA NGH trials, and to date, more than 400 devices have obtained Passpoint certification, including a wide range of smartphones and tablets.

Wi-Fi Alliance and WBA have expanded their collaboration beyond coordination on hotspot technology requirements to advance Carrier Wi-Fi.

“Confidence in Wi-Fi has increased over the past 12 months as operators view it as a critical part of the hetnet. With Next Generation Hotspot deployments becoming more commonplace, this confidence will continue to grow well into the future,” said Shrikant Shenwai, CEO of Wireless Broadband Alliance.

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