The value of OpenRoaming for events and festivals

OpenRoaming is an initiative led by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), that aims to bridge the gap between wireless Wi-Fi and mobile 4G/5G networks, also known as LTE networks. The technology delivers a seamless handoff from any cellular network to a WBA-certified OpenRoaming Wi-Fi access point, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for users. It works much like how smartphones instantly connect to various telecommunications networks, giving users a secure and seamless roaming experience.

According to the WBA, at present there are over three million Wi-Fi access points worldwide connected to OpenRoaming. Mobile devices can automatically connect to any network managed by a member of the OpenRoaming ecosystem. Companies wanting to provide customers with easy and secure Wi-Fi access, like event locations, airports, sports centers, hospitals, retail chains, and the hospitality sector, also benefit from OpenRoaming. They can scale up their Wi-Fi service, automatically onboard users securely and improve the user experience of customers. A major advantage for network operators is that they offload network traffic from their LTE networks, which is especially relevant in areas with limited 4G bandwidth and busy locations like public transport hubs, retail centers, events, festivals or sports venues.

Extreme Networks is one of the leading network solution providers supporting WBA OpenRoaming. To ensure this technology will be available for mobile users in the future, field-testing it in large-scale, real-life environments is crucial. And what better place to pilot OpenRoaming than at one of the biggest music and sports events in Europe, filled with data-hungry visitors enjoying themselves and sharing the experience?

Zwarte Cross, the major Dutch music and motocross festival with over 230,000 visitors in four days, proved to be the perfect site for an OpenRoaming test case. During the 2023 edition, Extreme tested connectivity, device handovers and interoperability with service providers and partners. The pilot was successful, says Patrick Groot Nuelend, Head of Vertical Markets and Strategy EMEA.

“This major outdoor event in the Benelux is perfect for an OpenRoaming pilot. The enormous scale of the location, the number of visitors and the fact that the network is temporary, make the Wi-Fi very complex to install and operate. As for OpenRoaming, it’s the way that visitors at a festival want to use Wi-Fi that makes it interesting, as they expect a frictionless experience and need seamless handover between 4G and Wi-Fi. These components make the pilot highly valuable and relevant.”

During Zwarte Cross, festival attendees with Samsung and Google phones were able to connect to the OpenRoaming network automatically, while those with other Android phones or iPhones simply had to use a QR code to install an Identity Provider (IDP) app and securely connect.

OpenRoaming also creates value for Zwarte Cross because it improves the networking experience for the festival's visitors. Zwarte Cross and Extreme have been working together for years, and Zwarte Cross is one of the few festivals in the Netherlands that offers free Wi-Fi at most of the festival site. Adding OpenRoaming to the wireless network makes it even easier for festival visitors to use Wi-Fi because it eliminates the need to search for hotspots. But maybe more importantly, the Wi-Fi connections are secure instead of open.

OpenRoaming leverages existing security protocols such as Passpoint, RADSec, and standards 802.1x and 802.11i to ensure network security without compromising user privacy. It pairs Wi-Fi network providers with identity providers, such as mobile operators and ISPs, who register authenticated users and enable them to connect to any participating wireless network automatically.

A logical question would be how OpenRoaming will make a difference, since 4G/5G networks in most Western European countries are adequate in providing high bandwidth. According to Patrick, it is important that data is offloaded from LTE networks. Large amounts of data and traffic in high-density environments can impact mobile networks and the services they provide to users.

“A large festival like Zwarte Cross hosts approximately 65,000 visitors per day. Held in an open rural area in the Achterhoek, the available 4G/5G networks can quickly overload. Especially with the rapidly increasing number of mobile devices and the usage of social, video and sharing applications, like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. OpenRoaming will be crucial to relieve the strain on public mobile networks and keep them available in case of emergencies. Additionally, OpenRoaming creates a better and secure mobile wireless experience for festival visitors and enables organizations like Zwarte Cross to improve their service to customers with free and secure Wi-Fi. And we all know that nowadays, connectivity is one of the basic needs for all of us.”

The concept of OpenRoaming has clear potential and according to Patrick will start growing when the array of variables comes together. “Based on the lessons learned at the Zwarte Cross festival, we are now talking with the WBA to see how we can improve the application of OpenRoaming at next year’s event and in general for other customers. For example, Extreme is discussing the potential of OpenRoaming integration in the Zwarte Cross app with the organization and by doing so, creating a win-win for all parties involved.”