#United States #Wisconsin #Missouri #eduroam #Missouri, Wisconsin

Missouri and Wisconsin Enhance Digital Access with eduroam

In a significant step forward for digital connectivity in the United States, Missouri and Wisconsin have joined the eduroam initiative, aiming to provide secure and seamless Wi-Fi to students within both states. This announcement comes from Internet2, which revealed today that it has welcomed two new nonprofit support organizations, MOREnet and WiscNet, to the eduroam Support Organizations program. This expansion marks the participation of 11 states in total, demonstrating a growing commitment to providing secure internet access in educational environments.

The eduroam program has been evolving since its pilot launch in 2020. It seeks to provide Wi-Fi connectivity not just within educational institutions, but also in public libraries, museums, and various community areas, thus empowering students regardless of their location. With the integration of MOREnet and WiscNet, students can expect an even broader deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots throughout Missouri and Wisconsin, allowing them to connect to the internet safely and efficiently from various locations.

Connecting Communities through Education

As students face increasingly digital learning environments, access to reliable internet resources is critical for their academic success. With eduroam, learners have the flexibility to finish their assignments at the local library, collaborate with peers at different schools, or engage in extracurricular activities without worrying about connectivity issues.

By the numbers, the eduroam Support Organizations have successfully deployed a total of 1,461 hotspots across 11 states, including:

• - 1,173 hotspots in K-12 schools
• - 83 hotspots in public libraries
• - 14 hotspots in museums and cultural institutions
• - 191 hotspots in other community locations

This reflects a marked increase of 12% in the number of facilities providing eduroam services, showcasing the program's rapid growth and its tangible benefits to the community. In fact, last year alone saw 175,766,507 authentications, demonstrating the high demand and usage of this secure Wi-Fi service.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Kevin Morooney, Vice President of Trust and Identity at Internet2, expressed his excitement about the program’s expansion: “The growth of the eduroam Support Organizations program is inspiring, watching people and organizations who urgently and passionately want to enhance their local environments.” His words underscore the collaborative effort behind this initiative, which enables communities to share experiences and solve challenges together.

Eduraom’s unique selling point lies in its ability to offer global Wi-Fi roaming access specifically designed for the research and education communities. By leveraging existing school credentials for authentication, it meets security standards that surpass those of ubiquitous commercial Wi-Fi networks.

Last year, eduroam achieved an impressive 8.4 billion authentications globally, with over 38,000 locations operational in more than 100 countries. Here in the United States, Internet2 manages 3,800 hotspots that support a vast network of students, educators, and researchers, enhancing their educational experience.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Seamless Connectivity

For WiscNet, the partnership with Internet2 to expand the eduroam service within Wisconsin is an endeavor that holds promise for the future. CTO Rich Turiel remarked, “We envision a future where Wisconsin's students, educators, and researchers stay seamlessly connected across campuses, libraries, and public spaces.” This vision is particularly important as it seeks to foster learning and collaboration without the barriers of location.

More broadly, this initiative aims to close the digital divide in areas traditionally considered underserved when it comes to reliable internet access. By bringing together community-driven organizations and leveraging their established networks, eduroam is making significant strides in enhancing digital accessibility across the U.S.

Continued Growth Through Collaboration

The expansion of eduroam reflects a greater trend towards collaborative efforts aimed at improving digital infrastructure. Notable participants in this initiative include organizations from various states: ConnectEd Nebraska, Connecticut Education Network, Learning Network of Minnesota, Link Oregon, Merit Network, MOREnet, among others, all committed to ensuring that students receive the resources needed for their educational pursuits.

In summary, the growth of eduroam in Missouri and Wisconsin represents not just a technological advancement, but a reinforcement of the belief that access to learning opportunities should be universal. As this program expands, students from all walks of life can look forward to a more connected and inclusive educational experience.

To learn more about eduroam and its growing network, visit the eduroam Support Organizations website.