Roam

As the decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) landscape evolves in 2024, Roam has emerged as a frontrunner, boasting over one million self-built nodes and more than 1.72 million user registrations globally. This significant growth positions Roam at the top of DePINScan's hardware node rankings. The company's success is largely attributed to its innovative OpenRoaming™ technology, which facilitates seamless connectivity across over four million WiFi hotspots in 190 countries. This technological edge not only enhances user experience but also underscores the potential for widespread adoption of Web3 applications in everyday life, validating Roam's user-friendly business model in the decentralized wireless network sector. In October 2024, Roam announced the development of a global Telecom Data Layer alongside the launch of Roam eSIM, aimed at rapidly expanding its user base through a cost-effective and secure approach. The introduction of Roam Growth, a key module of the Telecom Data Layer, is set to revolutionize income generation for network participants. This initiative will enable users to transform their network devices, such as Roam routers, into economic assets through automated service integration, thereby facilitating multi-mining capabilities. The collaboration with Huma for router purchase plans further lowers entry barriers, encouraging broader participation in Roam's ecosystem. Roam's strategic focus on community engagement and innovation is evident in its ecosystem, which comprises four essential modules: Roam Network, Roam Growth, Roam Discovery, and Roam Community. Each module plays a vital role in fostering collaboration, incentivizing participation, and enhancing user experience. As Roam continues to expand its offerings and optimize its incentive mechanisms, it is poised to attract more developers and users, solidifying its position as a leader in the decentralized telecom data network space. The integration of AI into Roam's operations promises to unlock new opportunities for intelligent network management and user engagement, paving the way for a robust and sustainable future in the DePIN ecosystem.

The DePIN project Roam has recently unveiled its "2025 Roadmap," highlighting significant advancements across six major product lines, including innovative WiFi hardware devices. The roadmap outlines that the Roam Loan and Roam Discovery products are set to launch in the first quarter of 2025, while upgrades to the existing Roam Growth product will be finalized by the second quarter. Additionally, the second half of the year will see the rollout of the new version 2.0 of the Roam APP, alongside the introduction of the Innovator Hub, aimed at fostering developer engagement in the ecosystem's co-construction. On the technical front, Roam is set to prioritize the Proof of Presence protocol in the upcoming year, which will facilitate real-time verification of local interactions within the Roam network. Furthermore, the launch of Roam DAO is anticipated in the latter half of the year, marking a significant step towards decentralized governance. By the end of 2025, Roam plans to achieve full integration of WiFi and cellular data networks, enhancing connectivity for its users. Currently, Roam boasts over 1 million global WiFi nodes and has attracted more than 1.72 million users. The project has consistently held the top position in the DePINscan hardware node count leaderboard since December 3. ChainCatcher advises readers to approach blockchain developments with a rational mindset, emphasizing the importance of risk awareness and caution regarding virtual token issuances and speculative activities. All information provided is intended for market insight and does not constitute investment advice.

November proved to be a transformative month for Roam, as the decentralized WiFi solution celebrated significant milestones and introduced exciting new features. The standout moment was the achievement of surpassing 1 million registered users globally. This remarkable growth is a testament to the increasing demand for Roam's services, which now includes over 900,000 active self-built nodes and the issuance of more than 1.5 billion Roam Points. With each new user and node, Roam is advancing its mission to provide accessible and reliable WiFi for everyone, everywhere. In addition to its user growth, Roam made headlines by securing the top position on DePINscan, ranking first among decentralized infrastructure projects. This rapid ascent from second to first place in just one month highlights Roam's commitment to revolutionizing connectivity. The community's contribution of over 900,000 nodes through the addition of WiFi hotspots and Roam miners has been pivotal in this achievement. Users can earn Roam Points, which will be convertible to $ROAM tokens after the token generation event (TGE), further incentivizing participation in the network's growth. Moreover, Roam launched the eSIM Top-Up feature, enhancing user convenience by allowing seamless balance top-ups without the need to switch eSIMs. This feature is available in over 160 countries and is accompanied by a promotional offer that rewards users for their first top-up. Additionally, the Spooky Halloween 2024 event engaged the community with over 260,000 gifts opened and 26 million Roam Points burned. Roam also initiated quest campaigns that attracted over 17,000 participants in just two weeks, successfully onboarding new users and fostering engagement across various platforms. These developments collectively underscore Roam's dedication to enhancing user experience and expanding its decentralized WiFi network.

In the post-pandemic world, the rise of digital nomadism has become increasingly prevalent, particularly among remote workers. This lifestyle allows individuals to travel freely while maintaining their professional commitments, with locations like Aruba and Cape Verde becoming popular choices. The demand for reliable internet connectivity is paramount for these nomads, and the Roam network is emerging as a leading solution. By providing a global wireless network, Roam aims to facilitate seamless connectivity for users regardless of their location, thus enhancing the digital nomad experience. The challenges associated with traditional public WiFi networks, such as cumbersome login processes and security vulnerabilities, have prompted the development of OpenRoaming™ technology. This initiative, spearheaded by the Wireless Broadband Alliance, aims to create a secure and user-friendly WiFi experience. OpenRoaming™ allows users to connect to various WiFi networks without repeated authentication, ensuring encrypted data transmission. Despite the growing number of OpenRoaming™ nodes, which currently stands at over 4 million, it still represents a small fraction of the global public WiFi landscape, indicating significant room for growth. Roam is uniquely positioned within the OpenRoaming™ alliance as a Web3 IDP project, integrating decentralized identity technology to enhance network access for users and small businesses. With innovative solutions like the Rainier MAX60 router and Roam eSIM, the platform is rapidly expanding its user base, which has surpassed 1.5 million. Roam's community-driven approach and diverse incentive models, including Roam Points and governance tokens, are designed to foster user engagement and support the growth of the OpenRoaming™ network. As Roam continues to bridge Web2 and Web3 technologies, it is set to play a pivotal role in transforming the telecommunications landscape and enhancing connectivity for digital nomads worldwide.

As of December 4, 2024, Roam has officially claimed the top position globally for hardware node count, as reported by DePINscan. Utilizing OpenRoaming™ technology, Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), and Verifiable Credentials (VCs), Roam allows users to connect to WiFi without the hassle of multiple credentials or lengthy login processes. This innovative approach, combined with a robust community incentive mechanism and a free-to-use business model, has led to rapid user growth. Currently, Roam supports over 4 million OpenRoaming WiFi hotspots and 890,000 self-built nodes across more than 190 countries, boasting over 1.5 million registered users and an impressive average of 500,000 daily user interactions. The platform has successfully transitioned numerous traditional users into the Web3 ecosystem through its latest eSIM product, exemplifying mass adoption of Web3 applications. Roam's user growth strategy is anchored in product design, integrating Roam WiFi connectivity and eSIM services. The token-incentive model encourages users to contribute to the network's development by validating WiFi nodes, attracting traditional users to collaboratively build the WiFi network. Roam's eSIM offerings include the Roam Global eSIM, which operates in over 160 countries with an innovative Top-up mechanism to prevent data wastage, and the Add-on eSIM, which provides access in regions lacking roaming services. The introduction of Roam eSIM has significantly increased traditional user participation, pushing app registrations past 1.5 million and expanding the network to nearly 5 million global WiFi access nodes. Committed to establishing a next-generation global open wireless network, Roam employs a Physical Layer 1 (L1) approach to deliver a free, secure, and seamless user experience. By maintaining a location and time-based data ledger, Roam aims to enhance both supply and utilization growth through token incentives while promoting community-based management. This strategy reflects Roam's mission to cultivate a more open and diverse ecosystem, fostering long-term value for users. Transitioning from conventional reward systems to nurturing deeper relationships, Roam positions every user as a stakeholder in the network-building process, sharing benefits and creating transformative opportunities for the community. As a pioneer in the decentralized network landscape, Roam is set to revolutionize connectivity between devices, humans, and AI agents, paving the way for sustainable growth and a more interconnected digital future.

Challenges and Transformations in the Telecom Industry Driven by the wave of global informatization, the traditional telecom industry faces unprecedented challenges. The industry is grappling with the increasing upfront investment pressure of 5G technology while struggling to transform its revenue model. Revenue from traditional communication services is on a decline due to competitive pressure, leading to lackluster performance in value-added services. Despite generating 50% more revenue than internet giants, the profitability of leading U.S.-listed telecom companies is only 30% of the latter. This disparity reflects investors' lack of confidence in the telecom industry's capital-intensive models with limited growth potential. Limitations of Traditional Telecom Business Models Traditional telecom operators are hindered by outdated business models that rely on long-term contracts and fixed fees for network access. This 'pay-to-use' model is inefficient in the digital age, restricting user flexibility and hindering customer experience. In contrast, internet services offer free access, enabling greater user choice and market penetration. Telecom operators risk being reduced to mere 'pipes' that transmit internet traffic without participating in high-value services. To overcome this challenge, operators must shift towards free access models to enhance network effects and deliver high-value services directly to users. Roam: Revolutionizing Telecom with Decentralization Roam has emerged as a decentralized telecom innovator, disrupting the industry with its free access model and integration of Web3 technology. By achieving significant user growth and deploying nodes without massive marketing investments, Roam has attracted attention from traditional operators. Roam ranks second on depinscan.io, a DePIN data analysis platform.