Seamless, secure Wi-Fi® enhancements provide more flexible operator deployments

April 16, 2019 – Austin, Texas – Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint® is adding new features to simplify operator deployments and deliver a seamless and secure Wi-Fi® user experience. Features now available in Passpoint® simplify the online sign-up capability, support unique operator requirements, and enable relevant venue information to be sent to users while continuing to protect connections with strong security. New capabilities enable traditional and managed network operators to unlock more value from Wi-Fi public hotspots, citywide networks, and venues, while delivering enhanced support for Wi-Fi roaming, mobile traffic offload, and
Wi-Fi calling.

Wi-Fi Alliance® is introducing four key capabilities for Passpoint that will deliver enhanced security, greater flexibility, and more value for operator deployments. The new capabilities include:

• Simplified online sign-up: drives a common provisioning methodology across vendors using a single SSID – or the “name of the network” as seen by users – to simplify deployment and configuration
• Venue-specific information: allows a device to obtain relevant local information about a venue to inform the user of available services provided by the operator
• Expanded enterprise-level security: supports WPA2™-Enterprise and next generation WPA3™-Enterprise for a strong level of authentication and connectivity
• Operator-specific policies: provides a streamlined solution for acceptance of terms and conditions when in public hotspots

“Passpoint brings benefits to nearly every type of Wi-Fi operator, delivering seamless, secure Wi-Fi access and providing a foundation for global roaming agreements,” said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO, Wi-Fi Alliance. “Wi-Fi Alliance is continually enhancing its programs to address market needs and bring the most value to Wi-Fi users, product vendors, and operators.”

Passpoint is included in most enterprise-class APs on the market today, is supported by major mobile operating systems including Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows 10, and is broadly supported by a wide ecosystem of global device manufacturers, mobile operators, and service providers. Passpoint is also a key component of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Vantage™, a suite of technologies that drastically improve the user experience in managed networks. Wi-Fi Vantage™ devices layer the benefits of Passpoint’s seamless light-touch authentication, better resource management, enterprise-level security, and high-performance Wi-Fi to bring a better user experience in challenging network environments.

For more information on Passpoint, please visit: https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/passpoint.

About Wi-Fi Alliance®
www.wi-fi.org
Wi-Fi Alliance® is the worldwide network of companies that brings you Wi-Fi®. Members of our collaboration forum come together from across the Wi-Fi ecosystem with the shared vision to connect everyone and everything, everywhere, while providing the best possible user experience. Since 2000, Wi-Fi Alliance has completed more than 45,000 Wi-Fi certifications. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ seal of approval designates products with proven interoperability, backward compatibility, and the highest industry-standard security protections in place. Today, Wi-Fi carries more than half of the internet’s traffic in an ever-expanding variety of applications. Wi-Fi Alliance continues to drive the adoption and evolution of Wi-Fi, which billions of people rely on every day.

Media contacts: 
Andrea Torres
Highwire PR for Wi-Fi Alliance
wi-fi@highwirepr.com
+1-415-963-4174 ext. 13

Exceptional network discovery, rapid authentication, and outstanding Wi-Fi network efficiency

Austin, TX – February 19, 2018 – Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Optimized Connectivity™ is a new Wi-Fi Alliance® certification program that optimizes the process of discovering Wi-Fi® networks, establishing connectivity, and ensuring users are best connected as they move across access points (APs) serving the same or different networks. Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity™ brings mobile device users a more seamless connectivity experience across Wi-Fi networks and delivers high-quality connections and improved quality of experience. A core component of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Vantage™, Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity brings greater manageability and mobility in Wi-Fi networks and opens new opportunities for service providers to increase network coverage while providing high-level service.

Based on the global standards IEEE 802.11ai, 802.11k, and on Wi-Fi Alliance defined technologies, Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity brings a harmonized approach to ensuring users are connected to the best quality Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity leverages the benefits of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Agile Multiband™. Key benefits of Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity include:

• Optimized network discovery enables client devices to quickly discover available networks
• Standardized link quality assessment helps client devices determine the most appropriate AP or network that will deliver the best connection
• Optimized authentication reduces overhead and enables faster initial authentication to a Wi-Fi network
• Streamlined transmissions allow devices to spend less time responding to network management traffic overhead and more time moving user data

“Wi-Fi Optimized Connectivity enables users to experience more consistent connections when roaming within and across Wi-Fi networks,” said Edgar Figueroa, president and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. “Wi-Fi Alliance continues to introduce new tools in its portfolio that improve mobility, manageability, and performance in Wi-Fi networks.”

The first Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Optimized Connectivity devices which comprise the test bed for interoperability certification are:

• Broadcom BCM4361 11ac STA Reference Design
• Intel® DUAL BAND WIRELESS-AC 8265
• Intel® Home Wi-Fi Chipset WAV500 Series
• Marvell 802.11ac Wave2 Wi-Fi Test Bed Evaluation Kit
• Qualcomm® Home Networking Wi-Fi AC4 chipset

For more information, including a technology overview and technology highlights, please visit: https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-vantage.

About Wi-Fi Alliance®
www.wi-fi.org
Wi-Fi Alliance® is the worldwide network of companies that brings you Wi-Fi®. Members of our collaboration forum come together from across the Wi-Fi ecosystem with the shared vision to connect everyone and everything, everywhere, while providing the best possible user experience. Since 2000, Wi-Fi Alliance has completed more than 40,000 Wi-Fi certifications. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED seal of approval designates products with proven interoperability, backward compatibility, and the highest industry-standard security protections in place. Today, Wi-Fi carries more than half of the internet’s traffic in an ever-expanding variety of applications. Wi-Fi Alliance continues to drive the adoption and evolution of Wi-Fi, which billions of people rely on every day.

Media contacts:
Stephanie Burke
Highwire PR for Wi-Fi Alliance
wi-fi@highwirepr.com
+1-646-838-1190 ext. 48