Wireless Broadband Alliance “Wi-Fi Experience for Moving Networks” Report Highlights Solutions for Seamless Connectivity  

The Wireless Broadband Alliance announced the release of its “Wi-Fi Experience for Moving Networks Report”, which demonstrates how the latest Wi-Fi standards can enhance moving networks, which they say have often been neglected. 

The WBA aims to enhance Wi-Fi connectivity in moving scenarios - buses, trains, planes, and ships - ensuring reliability for daily commutes and travel. The WBA is also inviting members and industry stakeholders to join its moving network trials to either provide a testing environment or gain a competitive edge by applying the latest technology when deploying a moving network solution.

The report outlines unique challenges in dynamic Wi-Fi networks and describes use cases that demonstrate how current standards, although not specifically designed for moving networks, can be adapted to improve user experiences and operational efficiency.

The report offers industry stakeholders significant benefits by helping them enhance passenger experience and service reliability, reducing operational costs, and opening new revenue opportunities. High-quality Wi-Fi services can attract more customers, increase engagement, and provide a competitive edge. Improved security protocols protect user data, while standardized practices foster industry collaboration.

Deploying technologies such as WBA OpenRoaming™ can address many of the challenges experienced by users when joining and hopping between moving networks. OpenRoaming facilitates seamless connectivity between various Wi-Fi and cellular networks via a creditential, ensuring automatic authentication and the highest levels of security and data privacy.

This project led by GlobalReach and Viasat, and supported by CableLabs, Cityroam, General Motors, HPE Aruba Networks and other WBA members, has tackled the technical and logistical challenges of moving networks. Solutions include:

Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said: “The challenges of delivering reliable and secure Wi-Fi on moving networks, are greater than fixed networks. This paper demonstrates how existing Wi-Fi standards can enhance these networks, engage more users and revolutionise the experience. Our vision is to create a seamless and interoperable service experience of Wi-Fi across the wireless ecosystem, that spans both fixed and moving networks.”

Thomas Locke, Chief Technology Officer at GlobalReach added: “With the market adoption of technologies like Passpoint, users are now increasingly connecting seamlessly and securely onto shared public Wi-Fi networks. This can be challenging for non fixed networks which are commonly found in Aviation and Maritime. This report outlines the unique challenges for dynamic Wi-Fi networks and demonstrates how current Wi-Fi standards can be adapted to improve the user experience and increase operational efficiency.“

Ed Kyte, Airline Propositions at Viasat, concluded: “As Wi-Fi becomes progressively mobile and proliferates into new areas, solving problems that exist in Moving Networks is increasingly central to further develop high quality and seamless experiences. This paper continues the WBA’s focus in this important area, utilising the latest tried and tested Wi-Fi standards to enhance the user experience.”

Source: Wireless Broadband Alliance media announcement