“From the beginning, our ultimate goal has been to make WiFi access as seamless as possible, using decentralized solutions to empower people,” said co-founder Jeffrey of Roam. Three years later, Roam stands as a leader in the communications industry, with 1.8 million app users And 1.1 million WiFi nodes self-deployed across nearly 200 countries and regions, realizing Jeffrey’s vision.
The telecom industry has reached a crossroads, and users are the key. Traditional communications models, often characterized by rigid contracts, outdated technology, and limited flexibility, struggle to meet the expectations of modern users. At the same time, free alternatives such as WhatsApp and WeChat have set new standards for accessibility and affordability, exposing the limitations of traditional communication services. These challenges require a new approach – one that prioritizes user needs and empowers communities.
This is where Roam makes its mark. Founded in 2021 to address the scalability challenges of the Wireless Broadband Alliance’s (WBA) OpenRoaming™ program, Roam has reimagined communications by putting users and community engagement at its core. Through a free-to-use, decentralized wireless network, Roam provides seamless, secure, and globally accessible connectivity. By integrating decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials (VCs), Roam ensures strong privacy and data security for its users. These advanced technologies enable Roam to deliver secure and seamless communications across the globe, empowering users to actively participate in building and validating the network while receiving incentives – turning them into key contributors to the ecosystem’s growth.
What sets Roam apart from others is its ability to attract both Web3 fans and Web2 users, demonstrating its potential to stimulate widespread cryptocurrency adoption. By providing real-world services that anyone can use, Roam effectively bridges the gap between Web2 and Web3. Once joined, users can explore the capabilities of Web3, unlocking unique opportunities and benefits that many are encountering for the first time.
Over the past year, Roam’s user-first approach has led to remarkable achievements. Its free-to-use model has resonated deeply with individuals and communities around the world. This rapid adoption has also captured the interest of traditional telecom operators, who view Roam as a model for a user-centric approach to telecoms.
Investors have also noticed Roam’s success. In late 2023, it completed a $5 million strategic funding round led by Anagram and Volt Capital, followed by a strategic investment from Samsung Next in April 2024 – the only DePIN-focused corporate investment Samsung made that year. These investments reinforce Roam’s mission of building an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem that empowers its global user base.
By integrating Web3 technologies with communications, Roam redefines communication. Its community of users, developers, and partners are shaping a decentralized future that puts people first, transforming how the world communicates.
Stimulate participation in the roaming network
Roam’s vision prioritizes ecosystem collaboration and community engagement, concepts that differ sharply from centralized and hierarchical models of traditional communications. Its strategy has already achieved tangible results, with millions of app users and over a million WiFi nodes contributing to a thriving ecosystem. Roam’s philosophy is simple yet pioneering: stimulate engagement through accessible and rewarding engagement.
To encourage participation, Roam has introduced community WiFi nodes as a primary growth mechanism. The latest hardware updates, including the Rainier MAX60 and Baker MAX30 routers, are designed not just as connectivity tools but as gateways for users to effectively update the network. These devices allow users to share OpenRoaming™ WiFi nodes, earn roaming points and contribute to network expansion while enjoying seamless and secure connections.
In addition to hardware, the launch of Roam’s eSIM in September 2024 reduces barriers to engagement. By offering free global roaming data to users who interact with the network, such as checking in at hotspots, Roam incentivizes real-world service. The introduction of eSIM has grown the app’s user base from 750,000 to 1 million in less than a month, demonstrating the effectiveness of Roam’s community-focused approach.
Roam rewards participants for their contributions with Roam Points, which can be converted into $ROAM tokens after a token generation event (TGE). From activating routers to participating in network health validation through check-ins, every interaction is designed to recognize and reward user efforts. Not only do these rewards create a sustainable income model, but they also help offset the initial investments in hardware, making it easier for more users to join.
Roam’s strategy has proven successful, as demonstrated in Syndica Research’s Solana DePIN report for November 2024. The report revealed a 4.6x increase in user growth during the month, with 100,000 new WiFi setups stabilizing globally. The number of daily interactions on the Roam network now exceeds 800,000, showcasing user engagement levels that exceed those of traditional telecom operators.
By aligning its efforts with Web3 principles, Roam has demonstrated the power of decentralized collaboration to reshape the communications industry. The project’s ability to achieve a huge user base in a relatively short time highlights the viability of its model. Most importantly, it highlights a profound shift in how communication is approached – where users are not just consumers, but active builders of the network.
Roam is not just a service provider; It is a movement that empowers individuals to take control of their communication. By connecting Web3 ideals to real-world communications needs, Roam sets a new standard for the future of decentralized communications.
Rely on and build the first physical layer for the DePIN ecosystem
Looking to 2024, Roam stands out as a year of continuous building and realizing its vision. In addition to its impressive achievements, Roam continues to push the boundaries with innovative updates. Among these is the recently launched loan program with Huma Finance, which is designed to lower barriers to entry and invite more participants into the Roam ecosystem.
The Roam Loan Program provides financing solutions that make Roam miners, such as the Rainier MAX60 and Baker MAX30, accessible to a wider audience. Users can purchase miners through a flexible payment model: a 30% down payment in stablecoins, with the remaining 70% covered by Huma Finance. Mining rewards and early airdrops can be used to repay the loan, and once paid in full, all future rewards become fully owned by the user.
Roam miners are known for their exceptional reward mechanisms, including a welcome bonus of 3,000 Roam Points, daily earnings of up to 60 Roam Points, and an additional 150 Roam Points from WiFi interactions. Furthermore, mining owners who complete registration before TGE are eligible to receive $20 million in ROAM token, underscoring Roam’s commitment to early backers.
The loan program represents the first phase of Roam Growth, a platform that turns network devices into multi-functional economic tools. Roam Growth is designed to maximize user engagement and revenue by providing sustainable revenue streams and streamlining device operations. The platform automates service delivery, integrates with marketplaces, and enables opportunities such as WiFi advertising incentives. Additionally, it provides seamless financial management tools and ensures device performance, enabling users to unleash the full potential of their network devices.
Roam’s growth, along with the Roam Network, is the cornerstone of Roam’s broader initiative to build a global communications data layer. Announced in October 2024, this ambitious effort leverages Roam’s decentralized OpenRoaming network and DID+VC-based identity verification mechanism to enable seamless data connection and sharing between people, devices, assets and AI. This initiative aims to create a cohesive and interactive blockchain ecosystem, laying the foundation for promoting widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies.
Another pivotal element of this vision is Roam Discovery, which launched during the holiday season. Roam Discovery fosters collaboration between DePIN projects by creating a dynamic ecosystem where forward-looking projects and participating communities can connect, share resources, and drive mutual growth. With 20 groundbreaking projects already in place, Roam Discovery is setting a new standard for innovation in key areas such as Layer 1, PayFi and AI. By providing access to Roam’s powerful network, cutting-edge tools, and engaged user base, Discovery provides unparalleled opportunities for scalability and success.
In September 2024, Roam introduced its first physical layer listing, marking a pivotal step in the DePIN space. Within three months, Roam has partnered with 20 leading projects, demonstrating its role as a cornerstone of decentralized communication. Since December, Roam has maintained its position as the top-rated project on DePINscan, with over 1.1 million active nodes and a user base of 1.8 million.
The launch of Roam Loan and Roam Discovery marks another milestone in Roam’s journey to achieve its ultimate vision: building an open, global wireless network. As co-founder Jeffrey previously envisioned, Roam has transformed into a mass adoption model for Web3, uniting millions of users and empowering communities to build the future of communication. With the 2025 Roadmap guiding the way, Roam is not only redefining communications, but also shaping a decentralized ecosystem where technology serves the people who drive it. In this evolving landscape, Roam doesn’t just connect devices, it connects lives, proving that community-powered innovation can reshape the world.
Disclaimer: TheNewsCrypto does not endorse any content on this page. The content described in this press release does not constitute any investment advice. TheNewsCrypto recommends that our readers make decisions based on their own research. TheNewsCrypto is not responsible for any damage or loss related to the content, products or services mentioned in this press release.