The telecom industry is facing some serious challenges. With the rise of global informatization, traditional telecom companies are under pressure. They need to invest heavily in 5G technology, but revenue models haven’t really changed. This has led to disappointing results in value-added services.
Right now, telecom revenue for major U.S. companies is about 50% higher than that of internet giants. However, their profits are only 30% of what those internet companies make. In fact, the profit margin in telecom is just 20% compared to internet firms, with net income around 5%. This situation reflects a lack of investor confidence in telecom operators, who are often seen as having limited growth potential.
Traditional telecom operators rely on long-term contracts and fixed fees for network access. This “pay-to-use” model is becoming less effective in today’s digital age. Users typically choose only one provider, like AT&T or Verizon, and they can’t easily switch or use multiple services at once. This setup limits customer experience and makes it tough to attract new users.
In contrast, internet services like search engines and social media are usually free. Imagine if Google and Bing only served half the U.S. market, or if Alibaba and Tencent only catered to a fraction of China. That would be incredibly limiting. Telecom operators are increasingly viewed as mere “pipes.” They provide the infrastructure, but they miss out on the highest-value services.
To break free from this “pipe” dilemma, telecom operators must shift from paid access to free access. This change would allow them to reach more consumers, enhance network effects, and deliver high-value services directly. However, this transformation is a significant challenge for large, bureaucratic companies.
In this changing landscape, Roam has quickly made a name for itself. It’s innovating with a free-to-use model that combines Web3 technology with telecom services. Over the past year, Roam has seen impressive growth, surpassing one million users and node deployments without heavy marketing costs.
Roam has caught the attention of traditional telecom operators and is now a leading player in the decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) space. According to depinscan.io, Roam ranks second among its peers.
What sets Roam apart? It’s the only decentralized telecom network built on the upgraded OpenRoaming architecture. WiFi and cellular networks are the main pillars of wireless broadband access, and nearly all mobile interactions depend on them. WiFi carries over 70% of data traffic primarily because it’s usually free to use. As we move into the 5G era, the convergence of WiFi and cellular networks is becoming more obvious. Due to the sparse deployment of 5G, high power consumption, and rising operating costs, operators often use WiFi to offload traffic and save money.
However, outdated WiFi networks can’t meet modern needs anymore. Comprehensive upgrades are necessary, moving from WiFi 4 and 5 to newer protocols like WiFi 6 and 7. Roam’s self-developed WiFi router was one of the first to support WiFi 6 for home use. The way users access WiFi has also changed, shifting from traditional login methods to automatic logins based on secure certificates. According to Market and Markets, this market is expected to grow fourfold in the next five years.
Roam has partnered with the WiFi Alliance and Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) to promote OpenRoaming. This network significantly improves upon ordinary public WiFi. Typically, public WiFi requires users to log in via a web portal, which can be cumbersome and often lacks encryption. OpenRoaming, however, works like a cellular network, offering automatic logins and end-to-end encryption.
This partnership allows Roam to provide a seamless access experience worldwide. Users no longer need to repeatedly log into different networks, making it easier to roam between cellular and WiFi networks. Roam has expanded its network to over four million OpenRoaming hotspots globally, greatly enhancing user experience and meeting their demand for convenience.
The key to Roam’s growth lies in breaking down traditional telecom barriers by offering free wireless access. By tapping into the global trend of WiFi upgrades and working with industry standards, Roam has attracted users to help enhance the OpenRoaming network. Participants not only upgrade to more secure WiFi but also receive free global eSIM data as a reward.
With this model, users can connect via both WiFi and cellular eSIM for free. They can also earn Roam points for co-building the network, which can be redeemed for goods and services. Additionally, users can earn rewards by sharing CDN bandwidth from hardware nodes, like the Rainier MAX60 router.
By participating in network construction and verification, users gain access to global data in over 200 countries as a reward. This model significantly reduces costs for users while involving them in sharing network profits. It creates a closed-loop incentive that encourages further investment in network expansion.
This incentive mechanism has boosted user engagement, allowing Roam to build an active community quickly. Currently, over 600,000 daily user interactions are recorded for network quality validation and feedback—something traditional operators struggle to achieve. Roam has found a way to move beyond the “pipe” role, creating a co-built community where users and businesses benefit from the network service.
Roam values communication between its community and operational team. Users have provided numerous suggestions for network improvements. During an AMA on app design, over 300 ideas were shared in just an hour. This community-driven approach enables Roam to respond quickly to market demands and user expectations, maintaining a competitive edge. User participation drives network optimization while enhancing loyalty and brand connection.
Beyond using telecommunications technologies like OpenRoaming, Roam’s network is underpinned by Web3 technologies. The decentralized nature of blockchain ensures user data privacy and security during transmission and storage. MetaBlox Labs Inc., the team behind Roam, has become one of the top ten global identity issuers for OpenRoaming, standing out as the only Web3 company in this group, alongside Cisco.
Unlike other issuers, Roam developed an innovative decentralized digital identity solution to tackle deployment challenges of OpenRoaming among small and medium-sized businesses, effectively reducing technical and financial barriers.
Roam also allows non-WiFi operators—like credit card companies, game publishers, and educational institutions—to easily integrate the decentralized digital identity-based OpenRoaming framework. This enables their users to enjoy free and secure WiFi roaming. This approach not only broadens OpenRoaming’s application scenarios but also extends Roam’s reach, allowing more users to experience convenient network access.
In just a year, Roam has grown to over one million users across nearly 200 countries and regions, with more than 820,000 self-operated nodes—even reaching remote areas like the Siberian Plateau, Northern Canada, and Alaska. This growth is remarkable, especially given the limited awareness and acceptance of Web3 technologies.
Roam users can earn 1-2GB of global eSIM data each month by participating in the network’s verification process. If they need more data, purchasing it is very competitively priced. In traditional models, eSIM data often becomes invalid when switching countries or regions. However, Roam’s data automatically adapts to local networks. This feature can greatly reduce monthly communication costs for frequent travelers, potentially making Roam the preferred provider for international trips. Roam also has the potential to become a primary data provider for local users.
According to Statista and OECD data, the average American currently spends $30 a month for about 10GB of data. By participating in OpenRoaming construction in non-roaming situations, Roam users can lower their monthly wireless access costs by 50% or more. Beyond savings, Roam’s community-driven model significantly enhances user loyalty and opens new revenue opportunities, showcasing how blockchain and Web3 technologies can transform everyday life.
As communication and AI technologies continue to develop, certificate-based WiFi OpenRoaming technology will likely have even more applications in the future, especially in smart homes. This will enhance secure and seamless device access and support AI integration into smart environments. Roam’s potential in this context is enormous.
Over the next five years, Roam aims to deepen its role across various industries and application scenarios—connecting individuals and meeting enterprise needs—ultimately aspiring to become a bridge linking users, devices, and AI. This vision seeks seamless connectivity and intelligent integration.
Through various initiatives, Roam is redefining the telecom business model, providing a richer network experience for users. It exemplifies how Web3 can reshape industries and serves as an important guide for the future development of the telecom sector.