WBA Certifies Towerstream as First Next Generation Wi-Fi Operator

Towerstream, a company specializing in 4G and small cell rooftop antennas, has had its New York City Wi-Fi network certified as the first Next Generation Hotspot (NGH) by the Wireless Broadband Alliance.

"With the WBA's Next Generation Hotspot, Wi-Fi networks will become seamlessly integrated into the mobile lifestyle and greatly enhance the user experience," said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Towerstream. "This tremendous step to integrate Wi-Fi into heterogeneous networks and mobile networks offers carriers a new opportunity and possible new revenue streams. We continue to applaud the WBA for their tremendous leadership in setting the path forward to a better connected world."

The WBA certified Towerstream’s New York City Wi-Fi network under its Interoperability Compliance Program (ICP).The ICP defines guidelines for operators to define how devices connect and roam on their networks, covering security, authenticating devices, data offloading, authentication and billing, among others.

"The WBA's ICP is a crucial step toward end users having seamless integration between 3G/LTE networks and reliable high capacity Wi-Fi networks. Towerstream engineering has been working closely with the WBA team and we couldn't be more pleased with the results," said Arthur Giftakis, VP of engineering and operations at Towerstream.

The WBA is also pleased at how quickly operators have embraced the new standard.

"It is great to see how the operator community has embraced the ICP, recognizing its value in improving the way in which it works together to deliver a more consistent roaming experience,” Shrikant Shenwai, WBA CEO, said. “Towerstream is one of the first to complete the initial network assessments and we are delighted that they have achieved compliance. This neatly illustrates the growing momentum within the Wi-Fi roaming ecosystem, paving the way for the continued implementation of Next Generation Hotspot (NGH)."

The WBA will also hold the Wi-Fi industry awards at the Wi-Fi Mobile Congress held in Beijing in November.