eduroam: secure, seamless Wi-Fi

What is eduroam?

eduroam (“education roaming”) is a secure, worldwide roaming wireless service developed for and by the international research and education community. It allows students, faculty, and staff to automatically connect to the internet at any participating institution: more than 3,300 locations in the US, and more than 38,000 worldwide.

By authenticating users through their home institutions, eduroam provides a common, secure Wi-Fi network that enhances connectivity and collaboration across educational institutions. Originally deployed at higher-education and research institutions, eduroam is now expanding to K-12 schools, libraries, and public spaces, significantly increasing its value and accessibility.

To learn more, visit eduroam.us.

K-20 eduroam pilot project

K-20 is currently piloting the eduroam Support Organization (eSO) program to bring eduroam Wi-Fi to K-12 districts, Educational Service Districts (ESDs), and libraries. We envision all students, faculty, and staff in Washington moving seamlessly among all K-20 member sites with easy, secure Wi-Fi access.

The K-20 Consortium approved a pilot program for up to 25 institutions, through the end of the 2025 calendar year.

Get started!

If your school or library is a member of the K-20 network, we’d like to work with you to deploy eduroam Wi-Fi!
Please fill out the eduroam Pilot Program Interest Survey
or contact the K-20 NOC at noc@wa-k20.net with “eduroam” in the subject.

eduroam benefits

eduroam offers significant benefits for K-12 users, enhancing both the educational experience and operational efficiency:

• Seamless Connectivity: No more “How do I get on the Wi-Fi?”
  Students and staff can connect to Wi-Fi effortlessly across various locations, including districts, Educational Service Districts (ESDs), and even public libraries. This eliminates the need for multiple logins and passwords, making it easier for users to stay connected.
• Equity of Access: eduroam ensures that all students and staff have seamless connectivity, whether they are at their home school, another district, or even a higher education institution. This is particularly beneficial for underserved populations, providing them with consistent and reliable internet access.
• Enhanced Security: eduroam uses secure authentication with end-to-end encryption, protecting private user credentials. This ensures that the network remains safe and secure for all users.
• Support for Modern Infrastructure: eduroam is compatible with modern Wi-Fi infrastructure, making it relatively easy to set up and support if the district has up-to-date technology.
• Cost Efficiency: By reducing user support costs and setup time for substitute faculty, eduroam helps schools manage their resources more effectively. It also works with Mobile Device Management (MDM) for filtering on district-issued devices.
• Collaboration and Mobility: eduroam facilitates collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutions. Students, faculty, and staff who visit neighboring institutions can benefit from seamless Wi-Fi roaming, enhancing their mobility and access to resources.

Where can I eduroam?

eduroam Wi-Fi is available at over 3,300 locations in the US—and growing!—and over 38,000 locations worldwide.

eduroam in Washington

Many educational institutions in Washington already provide eduroam access to their members and visitors, including:

eduroam Support Organizations in other states

K-20’s peer institutions in several other states are rolling out eduroam to their K-12 districts, libraries, and more: