Now anyone can earn tokens for using as well as building a global WiFi network underpinned by transformative, decentralized technology. Keep reading to find what’s behind this transformation and how to become part of it.

The World Needs Better WiFi

High quality public WiFi is still hard to come by, largely due to the fact that the companies deploying such networks compete against each other, preventing the sharing of networks for the public good.

Unfortunately, little incentive exists for traditional internet providers to give away WiFi to non-customers, or install open networks where nobody is paying for them. For these entities, the cost of deploying open networks ubiquitously is simply too high to be offset by the good PR which might come from it.

As a result, we lack truly reliable and widespread public WiFi coverage. Instead, users face sparse patchworks of open networks which, annoyingly, we often cannot switch between without encountering new login/splash screens each time.

Thus two main issues hold back public WiFi:

• availability

• integration

Not only is public WiFi hard to come by, but most open networks still require new logins or signups when connecting for the first time (and often, when connecting every time). And as mentioned, switching between networks can be a headache.

That’s why Roam has developed a new way to deploy WiFi that overcomes both these issues, enabling seamless, continuous connectivity around the world.

First, we’ll address integration…

The lack of WiFi network integration can also be described as a lack of WiFi roaming. This term simply refers to users’ ability to, while travelling, switch networks without facing service interruptions or login screens.

Though cellular networks, which providers share amongst themselves, typically permit national roaming, WiFi users don’t have this privilege, as public networks from different providers have traditionally been cordoned off from each other.

However, an emergent technology has begun to resolve this issue…

The OpenRoaming Revolution

A WiFi technology pioneered by the WBA, OpenRoaming integrates local networks so they can be roamed between seamlessly, without facing a login screen after one initial connection at any participating location. The technology thus lets users connect automatically to WiFi wherever they go, worldwide.

To access OpenRoaming services at participating networks, users must download an OpenRoaming credential, as manufacturers are not (yet) equipping their devices with them as a native capability.

Under the leadership of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, of which Roam is a member, over 3 million WiFi networks have so far become integrated via OpenRoaming.

The Key To Achieving More Widespread Coverage

While it improves the WiFi experience by integrating networks, OpenRoaming does not itself address the problem of availability or present a mechanism which will motivate existing providers to deploy widespread public WiFi. This is largely because:

Centralized Providers Limit WiFi Coverage

What has restricted public WiFi deployment is primarily the fact that internet companies implement centralized business models that limit WiFi deployment to where there are customers paying for it, and where profit takes rigid, unidirectional paths from user to provider. This leaves vast coverage gaps in many public places.

Therefore a new type of deployment model is needed which doesn’t rely on meeting the interests of large businesses and their shareholders alone to determine where networks are installed.

What will bring about this new model is a transformative, user-powered network architecture that incentivizes individuals to deploy WiFi in places where it benefits the general public rather than just paying customers.

OpenRoaming Decentralized

Recognizing that Web3 provides the perfect way to achieve this incentive structure, Roam has developed a blockchain-based WiFi OpenRoaming technology which, turning routers into miners that verify on-chain web credentials, creates mining opportunities for those who deploy local networks.

The routers providing WiFi connections using this technology reward their owners/deployers in proportion to the amount of connections their networks establish for users, encouraging deployment in busy environments.

Under this WiFi protocol, deployment locations that maximize yields include:

• Libraries

• Concert and event venues

• Conference centers

• Businesses

• Schools

• Galleries

• Theaters

• Museums

Roam mining rewards currently come in the form of Roam Points, which will become available to stake for $ROAM after the project’s token launch.

While proprietary Roam miners earn the most Roam Points, it’s also easy for people with existing WiFi networks to, via Roam app, integrate them with Roam so they can earn Roam Points too.

The Path To Greater Access

Roam’s token-yielding WiFi infrastructure encourages more WiFi deployment in general as well (not just in public), since it lets organizations, jurisdictions, and individuals earn revenue for providing coverage, offsetting costs that might prevent deployment under the traditional b2c WiFi model.

Seamless OpenRoaming

Roam’s decentralized WiFi protocol also includes OpenRoaming capabilities, so those who deploy networks for the project help provide seamless, uninterrupted connectivity to users.

Therefore after connecting at a single initial Roam WiFi location, users will not face another login screen at any other participating hotspot/router. This includes the WBA’s 3 million+ traditional OpenRoaming networks as well as Roam’s decentralized ones.

The MetaBlox Feedback Loop

As indicated by this image, MetaBlox’s core network deployment mechanism is this: while more people start using decentralized WiFi because of the convenience of OpenRoaming, the mining opportunities offered by the network increase, thereby encouraging more people to add their own infrastructure/access points.

Tokenomics thus drives the expansion of network coverage, which in turn increases usage, which results in enhanced token incentives.

WiFi Mining Details

Roam’s mining protocol is inclusive, allowing for the integration of diverse routers/networks with decentralized OpenRoaming. However, as mentioned, the highest-yielding WiFi routers that can be deployed are Roam miners.

While providing an OpenRoaming network for mining, they also create a private network as well as a non-OpenRoaming open network for personal use. If you have a prior internet connection/provider, you can simply replace your existing router with one of these without disrupting services.

At the same time, adding your own router’s network to Roam to collect Roam Points is easy to do on Roam app. Find instructions for how to do so here. After adding you’re network, it will become visible on the global, interactive decentralized OpenRoaming finder:

Reward yields are proportional to the strength of the network they provide. Strong, reliable connections can earn hosts up to 12 Roam Points (future tokens) every 4 hours, while weaker networks can get up to 6.

After adding your network, you can check its strength by finding it on the map and selecting it. Networks marked ‘high’ in green provide connections that earn the full 12 Roam Points. On the other hand, Roam miners can earn up to triple this yield.

Earn Roam Points While Surfing the Global Roaming Network

Anyone can download the free Roam app for a decentralized OpenRoaming credential. While surfing Roam’s OpenRoaming networks, users too can earn Roam Points for checking in on the app as they use the decentralized networks.

Blockchain WiFi: Underlying Technology

The computations which establish connections for Roam users are conducted using an underlying L1 blockchain network instead of a central server. With the help of a RADIUS server, This blockchain receives data from Roam miners, added routers, and users’ devices; then records the related data on an immutable ledger; and will eventually mint $ROAM tokens for deployers and users who check in.

Read about this on-chain login process in detail in the newly released Roam V1 Whitepaper.

Conclusion

When implemented via blockchain and decentralized network infrastructure that creates mining opportunities, WiFi OpenRoaming offers a revolutionary way to deploy public networks, providing an alternative to those centralized models which continue to leave massive coverage gaps. By pioneering this technology, Roam is bringing Web3 and its benefits to the masses.

Check out MetaBlox’s website and community channels for more on Web3 OpenRoaming!