The GSM Association (GSMA) is teaming with the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) to develop methods for mobile devices to connect to, and roam between, Wi-Fi hotspots using a SIM as authentication.
A joint initiative between the groups aims to develop technical and commercial frameworks for Wi-Fi roaming. The pair will co-ordinate on consistent methods for device configuration, the use of access keys, authentication and payment processing.
WBA chief executive Shrikant Shenwai said a key goal of the collaboration is to help “Wi-Fi replicate the success of mobile technology [by allowing] users to roam seamlessly between different networks.”
Wi-Fi roaming will be based on the WBA's next generation hotspot program and the Wi-Fi Alliance's Passpoint certification technology. The GSMA and WBA will also develop common guidelines for security, billing, data offload, device implementation and network selection.
The guidelines will be based on the GSMA's GPRS roaming exchange and the WBA's wireless roaming intermediary exchange models.