Wi-Fi Alliance is working on an initiative to “transform the user experience in hotspots” to address authentication and provision of service for public Wi-Fi networks. As a result, at some point in the future, users would seamlessly connect on public hotspots without logging in with their SIM card automatically authenticating them. On the other side, carriers would benefit by offloading some of the traffic from their cellular networks.
The key benefits of the new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED testing program include:
- Network Discovery and Selection – Devices discover and automatically choose networks based upon user preferences, operator policies and network optimization.
- Streamlined Network Access – In many cases, devices will be automatically granted access to the network based upon the SIM card used.
- Immediate Account Provisioning – The process of establishing a new user account at the point of access will be streamlined, eliminating user steps.
- WPA2 Security – Over-the-air transmissions are encrypted using the latest-generation security technology
The planned launch of the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED hotspot certification program is targeted for the first half of 2012…