The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has launched a new initiative to connect the Wi-Fi networks of major cities around the world.
The City Wi-Fi Roaming Project will allow residents and visitors of major cities including Singapore to automatically and securely roam between public Wi-Fi networks.
As pat of the initiative, 20 participating operators will offer free Wi-Fi access to people in the major cities, which also include San Francisco, San Jose and New York in the US.
The project forms part of the wider World Wi-Fi Day initiative to accelerate affordable wireless broadband connectivity worldwide, which has the participation of the governments of Singapore, Delhi and the Philippines among other cities.
“As Singapore moves towards a Smart Nation, we are looking into ways in which we can solve big challenges and create new opportunities though technology. Secure and pervasive connectivity will be important in this journey,” IDA Singapore assistant chief executive Khoong Hock Yun commented.
“Through initiatives such as HetNet Trials and Wireless@SG, we hope to continually enhance the wireless experience in Singapore, as well as enable the creation of innovative products and services. We are happy to be part of the City Wi-Fi Roaming project, bringing Singapore and other cities a step closer to realizing a world of Connected Cities to benefit our society and global communities.”
The Wireless Broadband Alliance is an industry alliance with member companies including KT, NTT DoCoMo and China Telecom. The alliance is supported by more than 135 operators and technology companies.