Roam: Laying the Foundation for DePIN with a Decentralized Telecom Data Layer
Recently, it has been noted that Pokémon Go is making its entry into the NFT market, signaling that this major IP is exploring the integration of blockchain technology. While the combination of online and offline gameplay is undoubtedly compelling, the game continues to face a significant challenge: users can manipulate location data by using external tools to capture rare Pokémon from around the world. Although the specifics of the NFT features Pokémon Go plans to introduce remain unclear, if the game’s original mechanics persist, it could become yet another system dominated by tech-savvy players exploiting the system.
However, this challenge is not without potential solutions. One promising approach is the implementation of a location verification mechanism. It's not hard to recognize that Roam’s approach offers an effective way to combat GPS-based cheating if familiar with the DePIN sector.
As the sole Web3 IDP project within the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), Roam is working to build a unified global decentralized WiFi roaming network. What sets Roam apart from other DePIN projects, which tend to focus on specific applications, is its positioning as a comprehensive ecosystem. At its core, Roam connects physical devices with real users, creating a platform for the development of decentralized, data-driven applications. Moreover, Roam collaborates with partner projects to offer services such as data storage and CDN. From this broader perspective, tackling GPS manipulation is just one of many potential applications within Roam’s expanding ecosystem.
Roam: The "Expansion Dock" to the Global WiFi NetworkBefore discussing the whole Roam ecosystem, it's essential to introduce the Roam protocol.
Roam’s initial vision aimed at establishing a unified, decentralized WiFi OpenRoaming™ network. As of now, the Roam network spans over 190+ countries and regions, with more than 700,000 self-deployed WiFi nodes. Users of the Roam app can seamlessly roam across 3.5 million OpenRoaming™ nodes and 700,000 self-built nodes, without needing repeated logins. Seamless connectivity allows users uninterrupted access to the internet. This extensive potential market has also helped Roam attract investments from Volt Capital, Anagram, SamsungNext, etc.
From a user’s perspective, the ability for their smartphone to automatically connect to WiFi represents a significant convenience. However, behind this seamless roaming experience lies the critical role of OpenRoaming™ security certificates, combined with DID (Decentralized Identity) and VC (Verifiable Credential) technology, which safeguard user privacy and data verification.
The operational mechanism of the Roam protocol is: when a user first downloads and opens the Roam app, the system automatically generates a DID (digital identity) and configures the OpenRoaming™ security protocol. Based on this, the user’s verifiable credential data is stored on the blockchain by Roam. Subsequently, whenever the user approaches a Roam router, their device automatically sends the corresponding VP(Verifiable Presentation). The system then identifies and authorizes the user to connect to the network.
By leveraging DID (Decentralized Identity) and VC (Verifiable Credential) technology, Roam enables identity verification to be conducted on a decentralized blockchain when users connect to its open roaming network. This approach ensures the privacy and security of users' data. Coupled with the scale advantage of over 4 million WiFi nodes globally. Now, within the DePIN sector, Roam is making more advanced and multi-dimensional strategic moves to broaden its reach and impact.
Roam APP, Roam Rainier MAX60, Roam eSIM
The Roam application launched in June 2023, enabling users to seamlessly roam across any OpenRoaming™ network or Roam’s self-build nodes globally. Additionally, users can contribute to the Roam network in various ways and earn corresponding rewards (Roam Points). These points can be burned to $ROAM tokens after TGE. Currently, the Roam app has over 750,000 registered users.
Beyond software products, Roam also introduced its second-generation hardware device, the Roam Rainier MAX60. The new generation miner combines high-speed WiFi performance with blockchain mining capabilities, offering speeds of up to 6,000 Mbps and supporting connections for over 200 devices. The device also enables mining, allowing users to earn Roam Points daily by keeping it active and accumulating additional points by sharing their WiFi connection. These points also can be burned for $ROAM tokens in an exclusive burning pool.
To further address user travel needs, Roam also launched the Roam eSIM, allowing seamless, secure, and flexible international data roaming without requiring a physical SIM card.
Until now, it might seem that Roam is solely focused on providing WiFi services. In reality, Roam views the establishment of a decentralized data roaming network as the foundation for its future growth. Roam’s ultimate ambition is to become a “Decentralized Telecom Data Layer.”Building a “Telecom Data Layer”If we liken previous DePIN projects, their users, and the public blockchain (L1) they operate on to the relationship between transport vehicles, passengers, and roads, then Roam’s vision for a "Decentralized Telecom Data Layer" is akin to providing the telecommunications network and grid infrastructure that supports this transport ecosystem. To better conceptualize Roam’s objective, one can think of it as establishing a foundational "Physical Layer L1" through hardware, creating a multi-functional network at its core.
Roam’s positioning as a "Data Layer" is primarily rooted in its scalability advantage within the DePIN market.
The large user base and extensive node resources are only the first steps for Roam in its pursuit of becoming a data layer. By leveraging seamless connectivity, decentralized security mechanisms, economic incentives, and global coverage, Roam is redefining the relationship between hardware, users, and data. To fully understand Roam’s new positioning, it’s essential to consider its potential to provide telecom data resources and physical infrastructure for other DePIN projects. Much like Layer1 serves as the foundational layer for blockchain applications, Roam functions as a "Physical Layer L1" in the hardware domain.
Core Functionality: Seamless and Secure Network Connectivity
In a Layer1 blockchain, asset transactions rely on the underlying network infrastructure. Layer1 provides core transaction processing capabilities, ensuring the stable flow and secure handling of assets within the network. It serves as the foundation, ensuring the stability and reliability of all transactions and smart contracts.
Roam performs a similar role in the field of telecom data. Functionally, through its decentralized network architecture, Roam offers users stable WiFi connectivity worldwide, analogous to how Layer1 provides foundational support for the transaction of assets on a blockchain. Roam ensures that users experience stable and reliable WiFi connections between different locations, just like the seamless transaction of assets on a blockchain.
In terms of implementation, Layer1 achieves global asset transfer efficiency through consensus mechanisms and foundational infrastructure, reducing transaction confirmation times. Similarly, when users connect to Roam’s WiFi network, they only need to set it up once. After the initial setup, connections to all supported Roam WiFi nodes are completed automatically in the background, eliminating the need for re-entering passwords or making additional configurations.
Decentralization: Building a 'Global IoT' with Nodes
Within Roam’s extensive network of telecom data access nodes, each node not only provides network services to users but also generates identity, location, and timestamp data. This data ledger is synchronized in real-time on the Solana blockchain. In the future, Roam plans to leverage these key data points to establish cross-chain bridges, facilitating collaboration with ecosystem projects on other public blockchains like Arbitrum or IoTeX.
This mechanism represents an innovation over traditional IoT systems. Typically, WiFi networks rely on centralized servers and databases to handle user identity information and connection requests. Users often need to input personal information or log into accounts when connecting to WiFi, with this data stored in a centralized system maintained by the service provider. If the system is compromised, user information could be leaked or misused.
In contrast, Roam introduces decentralized identity (DID) and verifiable credential (VC) technologies, significantly enhancing user privacy protection. When users connect to Roam’s WiFi hotspots, the identity verification process relies on blockchain-based encryption, ensuring that identity information is only verified with user authorization.
Beyond privacy advantages, Roam’s decentralized telecom data layer overcomes the limitations of traditional IoT's centralized model in data transmission, storage, and maintenance. Data flows across different hardware devices without restrictions, achieving true "global connectivity."
Mining Mechanism: User Participation and Community Driven
Community engagement is vital for the growth of all decentralized projects. In most Layer 1 projects, community-run miner nodes are responsible for ensuring the network’s security and efficient operation. Roam, on the other hand, incorporates user check-ins at WiFi hotspots to verify the proper functioning of network services. At the same time, users operating miner devices can deploy their own WiFi OpenRoaming™ nodes, collectively building a decentralized WiFi roaming network.
In return, users in different roles receive both free services and token rewards in the form of points. This incentive mechanism is designed similarly to how "validators" or nodes function within a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system in Layer 1 projects. It focuses on user identity verification and node operations to maintain Roam’s decentralized nature and security.
In this way, Roam serves not only as a globally shared repository of telecommunications data but also as an ecosystem that connects developers and users through telecom data, fostering a strong community bond.
Will Roam Become a "Public Good" in the DePIN Sector?
Just as computers paved the way for the internet, blockchain aims to transform the digital layer of the internet, while Roam is focused on revolutionizing the hardware layer. Roam’s ecosystem is designed around four strategic modules: Roam Network, Roam Growth, Roam Discovery, and Roam Community. The Roam Network module focuses on developing and maintaining core network infrastructure, such as the current Roam App and network nodes. Roam Growth and Roam Discovery aim to attract enterprises and independent developers to the platform, encouraging them to create applications that benefit both the company and the Roam community. Meanwhile, Roam Community serves as a space for users to discuss, share information, and provide feedback.
This strategic framework guides users to transition from traditional airdrop hunters to committed community builders. Unlike existing DePIN projects that typically target specific verticals, Roam’s goal is to break down data barriers and connect users at the device level, providing a Decentralized Telecom Data Layer for independent developers and entrepreneurs.
Simply put, Roam can offer users a "new mining field." In decentralized storage, for instance, Filecoin is a well-known project where an IPFS miner can sell for far more than its actual value. However, why should decentralized storage only be the domain of Filecoin? Roam, with its extensive device base and services, is equally capable of supporting such a network. If third parties want to leverage Roam’s data to establish a decentralized storage network, the infrastructure and scale are already in place.
Similarly, OXT - a leading player in the decentralized networking sector, is another area Roam can cater to. With Roam’s devices and data, building a decentralized networking service is entirely feasible.
Roam’s decision to remain free and open makes it easy for users to get started, gradually establishing a more cohesive and sticky user ecosystem. Instead of passing operating costs directly to WiFi users, Roam generates commercial revenue by providing services to third-party providers. While many DePIN projects rely on their mining communities for income, Roam’s business model has the potential to create a sustainable revenue stream, paving the way for a more resilient development path.
As Roam’s user community grows, it can create a powerful network effect, which in turn attracts more ecosystem projects, enhancing the platform's value and appeal. Once Roam’s community reaches a certain scale, it will have the potential to serve as a platform for other vertical DePIN projects.
In this context, Roam is poised to develop into a "public good" within the DePIN space. Although its profit model relies on third-party commercial service fees, its open, shared, and user-centric nature imbues it with the characteristics of a public good. Just like the internet’s foundational infrastructure, Roam connects users and devices through decentralized technology. In the future, it may play a role akin to a public good in the DePIN ecosystem, serving a broader user base and becoming a key force in advancing the entire decentralized network.
