Global Systems for Mobile Communications(GSMA) and Wireless Broadband Alliance(WBA) will be working together to provide a system framework to support WiFi roaming. Cellular providers already offer their own services. However, connecting to a WiFi spot that is not supported by the cell phone providers can sometimes be a hassle. The new system could potentially eliminate all the manual steps mobile users have to go through to connect to hotspots.
Currently, WiFi is a free feature that comes with newer phones. However, the proposed system looks like it is just a way to charge people for data. GSMA and WBA will not make the decision on how customers will be charged, they will only be creating the frameworks for the system. Additionally, the technologies used in the cellular world handle tasks differently than other devices that use WiFi such as connecting and selecting networks and billing. Once the differences are all identified and worked out it will be up to the wireless providers to decide on how they will bill future users.
The technologies will not be fully developed for around nine months and even then it may take a while for service providers to adopt the system. Therefore, we should not expect to see the systems go into effect until next summer or fall sometime. Hopefully the system will be more of a convenience rather than a way for cellular providers to grab more cash.
Since my cell phone starts to roam every time I enter my kitchen, this will be a welcomed feature.
Cabe
