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WiFi
Passpoint, also known as Hotspot 2.0, is a Wi-Fi certification program developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance that enables automatic, secure, and policy-based connection to trusted Wi-Fi networks without manual login or captive portals.
Traditional public Wi-Fi requires users to select an SSID, enter credentials, and often complete web-based captive portal authentication. This process is fragmented, inconsistent, and frequently insecure. Passpoint eliminates this friction by enabling devices to automatically discover, authenticate, and connect to trusted networks using pre-installed profiles and enterprise-grade security mechanisms.
At a technical level, Passpoint leverages IEEE 802.11u for network discovery, 802.1X for authentication, and WPA2/WPA3-Enterprise encryption for secure data transmission. Instead of relying on shared passwords, it uses certificate-based or SIM-based authentication, ensuring that both the client device and the network verify each other before establishing connectivity.
Passpoint effectively transforms Wi-Fi into a roaming-capable system that behaves similarly to cellular networks. Once a device is provisioned with a valid Passpoint profile, it can connect automatically across participating networks without user intervention.
Passpoint operates through coordinated mechanisms involving network discovery, credential provisioning, authentication, and roaming continuity.
Passpoint-enabled devices periodically scan for networks that advertise Passpoint capabilities using Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) elements defined in 802.11u. These advertisements contain information such as:
The device evaluates this information against its installed Passpoint profile and determines whether a trusted relationship exists. If a match is found, connection begins automatically.
This eliminates the need for SSID selection or manual credential entry.
A Passpoint profile contains:
Profiles can be provisioned through:
Once installed, the profile allows the device to authenticate seamlessly whenever a compatible network is detected.
Passpoint uses 802.1X authentication in combination with Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP). Common methods include:
Authentication is typically validated via a RADIUS server. During the process:
Unlike open public Wi-Fi networks, encryption begins before user data transmission. This protects against:
Once authenticated, devices can move between access points without re-entering credentials. In multi-location deployments (such as airports or hotel chains), roaming agreements allow users to connect automatically across geographically separate hotspots.
This roaming continuity mirrors cellular handoffs, maintaining session stability as users move between coverage zones.
For users, Passpoint removes captive portals and login friction. Connectivity becomes automatic and invisible.
For enterprises and service providers, Passpoint offers:
Because authentication is profile-driven, organizations can differentiate access levels for employees, guests, contractors, or IoT devices.
Deploying Passpoint requires:
Administrators must also manage:
Cloud RADIUS services are commonly used to centralize authentication and simplify scalability.
Passpoint-enabled WiFi refers to networks that support the Passpoint (Hotspot 2.0) certification standard and advertise their capabilities using ANQP elements.
In such environments, devices with installed Passpoint profiles automatically identify compatible networks and initiate secure authentication without user interaction.
Key characteristics include:
Passpoint-enabled WiFi environments commonly include:
The result is a cellular-like roaming experience over Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Passpoint Secured WiFi emphasizes the security architecture behind Passpoint deployments.
Unlike open or WPA2-PSK networks, Passpoint Secured WiFi uses:
Because authentication occurs before full network access is granted, users are protected from rogue hotspot impersonation and session hijacking.
In secure deployments using EAP-TLS, both the client device and server authenticate each other using digital certificates. This mutual authentication significantly strengthens defense against phishing-style Wi-Fi attacks.
Passpoint delivers both user-facing and infrastructure-level advantages.
From a user perspective, it eliminates repetitive login experiences and ensures encrypted connectivity on public networks.
From a business perspective, it:
Because more users connect automatically, enterprises gain more consistent behavioral data for foot traffic analysis, dwell time measurement, and network capacity planning.
Passpoint has evolved through multiple certification releases.
Release 1 introduced foundational automatic discovery and roaming capabilities.
Release 2 improved online signup workflows and credential provisioning mechanisms.
Release 3 added WPA3 support, simplified onboarding, enhanced roaming data elements, and improved interoperability for enterprise deployments.
Each release has progressively strengthened security, scalability, and enterprise manageability.
Passpoint transforms Wi-Fi from a manual, inconsistent access experience into a secure, automated, and roaming-capable connectivity framework.
By combining:
Passpoint enables cellular-grade Wi-Fi experiences across public, enterprise, and carrier networks.
It bridges the gap between Wi-Fi convenience and enterprise-grade security, positioning Wi-Fi as a seamless, trusted connectivity layer in modern digital infrastructure.