This audio is generated by AI, so pronunciation and expressions may not be fully accurate. The narration is only in English.
From the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) buildings to schools, hospitals, and other facilities operated municipalities—and even repurposed public phone booths—Tokyo's public Wi-Fi network is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Once a patchwork of logins and captive portals, it is steadily becoming a unified, automatic system powered by OpenRoaming—an international standard that allows devices to authenticate securely in the background. We spoke with Tiago Rodrigues, President and CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), alongside a TMG representative, to explore how this technology supports the vision of Connected Tokyo.
In a city where people rely on smartphones for navigation, payments, translation, and daily services, a reliable connection is not a luxury, but a requirement. OpenRoaming—an international standard that allows devices to connect securely and automatically once set up—is designed to remove the friction that users face in public spaces where Wi-Fi often requires passwords or repeated logins.
Tiago Rodrigues describes OpenRoaming's impact in simple terms: "We should not have to manually select networks or type passwords. In today's digital era, devices should connect securely and automatically. OpenRoaming finally brings that experience to public Wi-Fi."
This user-first approach is central to Tokyo's long-term vision for a connected society. As the TMG representative explains, "To achieve Smart Tokyo, communication infrastructure must be treated as essential urban infrastructure. Our aim is a city where residents can access digital services easily and securely, supported by world-class connectivity."
Tokyo is now recognized internationally as a pioneer in deploying OpenRoaming. Rodrigues notes, "Japan is leading OpenRoaming deployment worldwide, and Tokyo is setting a benchmark for other global cities. The support and direction from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have been exceptional."
The city's OpenRoaming expansion builds on its broader communications policy, Connected Tokyo, which accelerates the use diverse communication technologies—including 5G, Wi-Fi, and satellite communications—across the capital.
The TMG's approach includes opening public assets—such as government facilities, public phone booths, and in some cases vending-machine sites—to make citywide connectivity possible. The government was the first local authority in Japan to create an OpenRoaming-compatible public Wi-Fi platform, reducing the burden for municipalities that adopt it.
OpenRoaming is already in use throughout key public locations, including government offices, and TMG-operated schools and hospitals. Over time, participation by additional public and private facilities—hotels, retail spaces, event halls, universities, and more—is expected to accelerate adoption.
OpenRoaming supports a diverse range of users, including residents and visitors. For the TMG, inclusivity is at the heart of the rollout. "Once a device is set up, people can move through the city without thinking about Wi-Fi," they explain. "Reliable connectivity increases convenience for residents, improves access for visitors, and supports better experiences in public and private facilities."
For people who are less familiar with digital technologies, automatic and secure Wi-Fi can also reduce barriers to digital participation. Rodrigues notes, "OpenRoaming helps guarantee access to the internet for communities who may not always have the means, devices, or skills to stay connected. It opens up opportunities for everyone."
By simplifying authentication and providing consistent connectivity, OpenRoaming can also support use across education, healthcare, and community facilities.
Tokyo's communications strategy places equal emphasis on everyday convenience and disaster readiness. Japan experiences natural hazards ranging from typhoons to earthquakes, and communications infrastructure must withstand unexpected scenarios.
Rodrigues sees enormous potential: "In emergencies, cellular networks can go down or become overloaded. Wi-Fi can become a vital complementary channel, especially in indoor environments where mobile signals may not reach."
The TMG shares the same view. "In times of disaster, having multiple communication pathways is critical," the official notes. "Wi-Fi that can operate alongside mobile networks helps evacuation sites and public facilities share information more quickly."
OpenRoaming can also enable emergency alerts and location-based notifications as the technology evolves, something the WBA has been actively discussing with governments worldwide.
Beyond public hotspots, OpenRoaming opens the door to new services for private-sector facilities. As Rodrigues explains, "Hotels, stadiums, airports, convention centers, schools—these sectors all benefit from secure automatic connectivity. And because the cost is low when Wi-Fi is already in place, the return on user satisfaction can be extremely high."
Schools in some countries already use OpenRoaming to authenticate students, teachers, and staff with separate digital identities, simplifying network management while improving safety. Rodrigues suggests that similar use cases could emerge in Tokyo over time, especially as more organizations join the ecosystem.
"Our hope is to see more retailers, hospitality providers, and private institutions embrace OpenRoaming," he says. "Public-private collaboration is essential, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has already provided a clear direction."
Looking ahead, Rodrigues envisions a world where Wi-Fi becomes even more central to everyday life—an issue with clear implications for large cities like Tokyo. "In the United States, about 85% of internet traffic passes through Wi-Fi, whether at home, at work, or in public spaces," he explains. "Yet public Wi-Fi still uses outdated login experiences. OpenRoaming is the most advanced solution today, but I expect it to evolve further."
During SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025—Asia's largest innovation conference—Rodrigues visited Tokyo and met with the TMG officials during his continued work with partners in the region.
In January 2026, the TMG and the WBA hosted a joint event at Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB), highlighting the progress of OpenRoaming deployment and offering a preview of future initiatives.
Tokyo's OpenRoaming rollout is still expanding, but the foundation for a citywide network is already strong. With the TMG's policy leadership and WBA's technical expertise, Tokyo is positioning itself as a global model for secure, seamless public connectivity.
Rodrigues summarizes the vision simply: "We want people to connect effortlessly, safely, and without needing help from anyone—whether they're residents, seniors, visitors, or families. That's the future of Wi-Fi, and Tokyo is leading the way."
