News Feature | October 29, 2014

Wi-Fi Alliance Adds New Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint Features

By Cheryl Knight, contributing writer

Wi-Fi Alliance Adds New Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passport Features

The Wi-Fi Alliance has expanded its Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint program and states new program features “expand the program’s strategic value to mobile and fixed operators, and open opportunities for other sectors as they invest in Wi-Fi to meet business challenges.”

The Wi-Fi Alliance

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a trade association whose main goal is to promote and certify Wi-Fi technologies that meet certain interoperability standards. The alliance is the owner of the Wi-Fi trademark, and manufacturers can use the recognizable trademark to certify that any products they sell have been tested and are interoperable with other products.

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint Features

The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint program provides connections and WPA2 security for a variety of mobile devices for use with hotspots around the nation. New features recently added include a more streamlined method for new users to establish user accounts and to connect their Wi-Fi-only devices, including tablets and notebooks.

In the press release announcing the new features, the Wi-Fi Alliance also shares results of its research. Findings include the fact that 70 percent of those surveyed said that if their provider offered a larger network of Wi-Fi hotspots, they would be less likely to leave for another provider. In addition, 60 percent of the survey takers stated that they would switch service providers for one that offered a Passpoint-enabled Wi-Fi system even if they had to pay more to do so.

“Passpoint delivers vital access and security technology for Wi-Fi providers of every type, while also easing the way for effective Wi-Fi roaming interconnect agreements,” said Ken Rehbehn, principal analyst on the 451 Research Mobility Team. “The new features are important because they enable Passpoint’s value proposition by making it simple to connect millions of Wi-Fi-only devices to secure, trusted Passpoint venues. Wi-Fi providers — including fixed, mobile, retail and hospitality services — should take note.”