OTTAWA-Canada’s nationwide operators plans to unite to agree on common standards for roaming and interoperability among Wi-Fi hot spots they operate with their next-generation mobile networks.
The operators, Bell Mobility (in collaboration with Aliant Mobility), Microcell Solutions, Rogers AT&T Wireless and Telus Mobility said the objective is to provide Canada’s 12 million subscribers with convenient access to hot spots. The carriers aim to have standards and agreements in place by the end of 2003, with implementation in 2004.
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association helped facilitate the agreement, which will include standards of service and interconnection. The four operators have also worked together on an intercarrier messaging agreement, and CWTA said that similar to that agreement, the Wi-Fi collaboration will likely increase adoption rates.
