In order to make the Wi-Fi user experience more seamless, the Wi-Fi Alliance has added new features to Passpoint.
In a nutshell, the new capabilities in Passpoint include a streamlined process for establishing new user accounts, the ability to provision devices with the correct security credentials, and support for operator-specific subscriber and network access policies.
Passpoint is the next big wave for Wi-Fi service providers and vendors. Hundreds of models of smartphones, tablets, and operator-grade access points have been certified for Passpoint. Hotspot 2.0 is the technical specification that the Wi-Fi Alliance uses for hardware while Passpoint is the certification process that is used to make sure the hardware is Hotspot 2.0 compliant.
Early adopters of Passpoint include Boingo Wireless, Orange, SK Telecom, Time Warner Cable, and Telkom Indonesia with an additional 20 operators currently participating in Wi-Fi roaming trials based on Passpoint.
The Passpoint program expansion builds on its foundational authentication and security mechanisms, adding key features that include:
• Online sign-up and immediate account provisioning—A streamlined process to establish a new user account at the point of access. For service providers, this reduces barriers to account creation and usage. For users, this capability takes the complexity out of getting connected and enables in-pocket connection across a service provider’s network of hotspots.
• Secure registration—The process of establishing a new account or connecting a second device takes place securely. Devices are provisioned with the appropriate credentials and configuration for network access. Users can be confident they are connecting to their chosen provider’s valid network, and their credentials are exchanged securely.
• Operator policy—Passpoint now includes the capability for service providers to distribute their specific subscriber policies, such as which networks to join and in what order of preference. This policy support enables providers to deliver the best user experience on Wi-Fi, while still easily maintaining the business requirements of Wi-Fi roaming agreements.
The Passpoint certification program test suite includes support from Aruba Networks, Broadcom, Cisco, Ericsson, Intel, Marvell, MediaTek, Qualcomm Atheros, and Ruckus Wireless. DigiCert and NetworkFX are authorized certificate authorities for the program.
“I think 2014 will be a big year for the momentum to start to pick up on the Passpoint front, and 2015 should be a big year as well,” said Boingo Wireless’ Christian Gunning, vice president, corporate communications, in a previous interview with CED. “The reality is that it’s such a fragmented market that the more people get into play the greater the experience it is for customers across more companies.”
