Web3 project MetaBlox continues to expanded its global, decentralized WiFi network.

The network uses a token-incentivized growth model that rewards individuals for operating network nodes, which function as decentralized WiFi routers that provide seamless, automatic connections from around the world.

After describing more fully what makes MetaBlox Web3’s native WiFi network, we’ll give an update on its deployment status.

Decentralized WiFi OpenRoaming

To achieve seamless and global WiFi coverage, MetaBlox implements OpenRoaming technologies, which enable automatic WiFi roaming between local networks, regardless of the network host’s ISP or location.

Moreover, the routers providing access to MetaBlox’s OpenRoaming WiFi establish connections by verifying on-chain web credentials in a mining process. Thus the routers function as blockchain nodes that work together to verify special web credentials (known as DIDs) when a compatible device comes within range of any single router. As a result, these routers are known officially as MetaBlox miners.

Since they are equipped with OpenRoaming capabilities, reconnections to WiFi at any MetaBlox miner are automatic and passwordless, while they also deliver enterprise-level security.

To connect to the global WiFi OpenRoaming network, MetaBlox users download a free decentralized identity (DID) credential on the MetaBlox app, which is available for free for iOS and Android.

Whenever a DID-enabled device moves within range of a MetaBlox miner, these credentials are exported to the blockchain for verification by the MetaBlox miner, which then establishes a WiFi connection.

MetaBlox is deploying miners in businesses as well as public locations like parks, libraries, venues, etc. The widespread coverage this enables will allow for continuous WiFi connectivity outside of the home, allowing users to save on data costs.

WiFi Mining

MetaBlox miners produce M Points as they establish WiFi connections by verifying DIDs. The more connections a miner makes (after the other nodes confirm the given DID), the larger its point yields. These points will become convertible to MetaBlox tokens (ROAM) after the project’s token launch in 2024. Learn about the MetaBlox mining process in more detail here.

Anyone can host a MetaBlox miner to earn rewards while building up global WiFi OpenRoaming coverage in a decentralized way.

Network users can also claim tokens by validating MetaBlox miners with a simple tap on the MetaBlox app:

This network validation mining process ensures that all nodes meet MetaBlox’s performance and security standards, helping maintain the network for all its users.

On-Chain Privacy Protection

Although DID-verifications are recorded on the blockchain to establish WiFi connections, MetaBlox protects users’ privacy because their DID credentials can represent the user in any way they choose, including anonymously.

That means MetaBlox’s OpenRoaming WiFi network requires no personal traits to be verified to authenticate users’ devices for WiFi connections. So to connect to the global network, users don’t have to expose any personal info to the blockchain ledger.

Web3’s User-Oriented WiFi Network

MetaBlox’s unique, blockchain-based implementation of OpenRoaming delivers the convenience of WiFi roaming under a decentralized operating model that distributes ownership of the network to users themselves through miner hosting.

Deployment Status

MetaBlox has recently expanded its global decentralized WiFi OpenRoaming network, with miners now deployed in cities in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

MetaBlox’s global WiFi network has also integrated with the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s own OpenRoaming network. This means that MetaBlox users will automatically and securely connect to WiFi when in range of any of the WBA’s over two million miners.

Daily MetaBlox transactions on the Harmony blockchain (including DID-verifications, network validations, wallet creations, etc.) have been rising steadily since going live in February 2023.

Current daily transactions are at about 10,000, and during the last week of February 2023, MetaBlox hit the #5 position in overall transaction volume on Harmony. The project has installed 2,000 miners globally, and is looking to grow that number to 20,000 by the end of 2023.

MetaBlox is also preparing to launch the ROAM token next year, so be sure to stay updated on Web3’s native WiFi network on MetaBlox’s website and community channels!