Solana-based Roam is Building a Decentralized WiFi Network with Token Rewards

Roam is building a global decentralized WiFi network that rewards users with ROAM tokens for their contributions.

The Solana-based project is, at its core, a combination of a network built out of existing public WiFi networks and individual hotspots launched by Roam miners.

On the individual level of the decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) project, participants purchase miners/routers that allow them to set up a public hotspot while earning Roam points, according to an announcement shared by Solana on X.

Roam network users can earn Roam points by logging in daily, bringing friends aboard, running hotspots and adding new WiFi hotspots. Those points can be burned for ROAM tokens, which can be staked and used for community governance.

Roam uses a proof-of-service consensus mechanism based on the uptime of users' hotspots. A token generation event with a 20 million ROAM airdrop was announced in August.

Secure Communications

From an end-user perspective, ease of use is the big selling point. Once users log in securely, they are recognized by all of the individual WiFi networks on the platform and automatically switched from one hotspot to another as they move, Roam says on its website.

Users are given a decentralized identifier that securely identifies them based on a digital profile stored on the blockchain rather than relying on a central database. That happens once when the user first logs into a WiFi hotspot. They also receive verifiable identifiers that provide only the necessary information needed to sign on while protecting personal data.

Roam claims to have three million WiFi hotspots in its network, with two million users across 190 countries.