CARRIER CONNECT NETWORKS + WAYFI TECHNOLOGY

FAQ

Connectivity, carrier offload, Passpoint, and deployment resources backed by our strategic technology partnership.

Powered through our strategic technology partnership with WayFi Wireless. Carrier Connect Networks coordinates customer qualification, deployment, and account support while leveraging approved partner technology and programs.

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Carrier Connect Networks FAQs

Get answers to your questions about Cellular over Wi-Fi, Passpoint, Wi-Fi Calling, and indoor cellular coverage. Learn how Carrier Connect Networks enhances connectivity without costly DAS installations.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Carrier Connect Networks, Cellular over Wi-Fi, Passpoint, and indoor cellular coverage.

What is Cellular over Wi-Fi?

Cellular over Wi-Fi is an innovative technology that enhances indoor cellular coverage by seamlessly integrating mobile carrier networks with Wi-Fi infrastructure. This solution allows smartphones to automatically connect to carrier networks using Wi-Fi, eliminating dead zones and improving voice and data performance without requiring costly Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS).

What is Passpoint®?

Passpoint is a Wi-Fi Alliance-certified technology that enables seamless, secure connections to Wi-Fi networks. Adopted as an industry standard in 2012, Passpoint allows devices to automatically connect to trusted networks without requiring manual logins, passwords, or captive portals.

How does Passpoint Wi-Fi work?

Passpoint allows any Passpoint-enabled device to automatically and securely connect to an authorized Wi-Fi network using credentials stored in the SIM card. This eliminates the need for users to manually select a Wi-Fi network or enter login credentials. All major U.S. carriers support Passpoint, ensuring a frictionless experience for mobile users.

Is Passpoint Wi-Fi secure?

Yes! Security is a core feature of Passpoint Wi-Fi. Passpoint adheres to the IEEE 802.11u specification and utilizes WPA2 and WPA3 authentication protocols for secure access. Additionally, Passpoint uses encrypted digital certificates (EAP authentication) to verify devices, ensuring the highest level of protection against unauthorized access.

How do I connect my phone to Passpoint Wi-Fi?

Your phone will automatically connect to a Passpoint-enabled network if your carrier supports it. If your device does not connect:

Forget any manually saved Wi-Fi networks for the same location.
Ensure your Wi-Fi settings allow automatic connection to Passpoint or Hotspot 2.0 networks.
Do not manually select the Passpoint SSID—your phone will connect automatically.

🚨 Note: Some older Android devices may require manual activation of Passpoint in the Advanced Wi-Fi Settings under “Passpoint” or “Hotspot 2.0.”

How do I deploy Passpoint Wi-Fi with Carrier Connect Networks?

Deploying Passpoint Wi-Fi requires integration with mobile carriers to enable seamless authentication. Carrier Connect Networks offers a turnkey solution, ensuring a smooth setup:

✔ No additional licensing or hardware required – Works with most enterprise Wi-Fi systems.
✔ Fast setup – Deployment can be completed in as little as 30 minutes.
✔ Carrier and marketplace partnerships – Supports multiple Tier 1 and Tier 2 mobile networks for seamless connectivity.

Carrier Connect Networks is compatible with a wide range of enterprise Wi-Fi equipment, including but not limited to:

Alta Labs
Aruba
Cambium
Cisco Meraki
EdgeCore
Extreme Networks
Fortinet
GL.iNet
Grandstream
Huawei (CloudCampus Only)
HFCL
IgniteNet
Juniper Mist
OpenWRT
Ruckus (VSZ and Ruckus One Cloud)
TIP OpenWiFi
Ubiquiti

Any enterprise-grade Wi-Fi equipment that supports Hotspot 2.0 / Passpoint can be integrated with Carrier Connect Networks.

Do I need a separate SSID for Passpoint Wi-Fi?

Yes, a dedicated SSID is required to ensure optimal performance. An added benefit is the reduction of Wi-Fi congestion, as devices will automatically connect without constantly scanning for other networks.

Can I use an existing VLAN for Passpoint traffic?

Yes! Passpoint can be configured to use any VLAN with internet access, including existing guest networks.

Will I have control over data traffic?

✔ Wi-Fi Calling traffic is encrypted and securely tunneled to the carrier’s network, ensuring privacy.
✔ Regular data traffic (web browsing, streaming, etc.) remains under your network policies, allowing you to apply bandwidth management, content filtering, and traffic shaping as needed.

What happens to my existing Wi-Fi networks if I enable Passpoint?

Passpoint operates like a cellular network, meaning that:
✔ Any manually configured 802.1x profiles or already known Wi-Fi (such as employee Wi-Fi) will take priority.
✔ Devices without an existing Wi-Fi profile will automatically connect to Passpoint, improving overall connectivity.

Will enabling Passpoint increase DHCP usage?

Yes, since more devices will connect automatically, DHCP leases will increase. For high-traffic environments, we recommend reducing DHCP lease times to 30 minutes or less to optimize address allocation.

Will Passpoint increase internet traffic?

In most deployments, internet backhaul usage increases by 10% or less, even with significantly more connected devices. In certain environments like retail stores, the increase is as little as 1%.

How Does Cellular over Wi-Fi Compare to DAS?

Cellular over Wi-Fi is the best DAS alternative, providing similar benefits without the high costs and long deployment times.

Cost:
- Traditional DAS: High installation and maintenance costs
- Cellular over Wi-Fi: Low-cost, uses existing Wi-Fi
Setup Time:
- Traditional DAS: Takes months to deploy
- Cellular over Wi-Fi: Can be set up in hours
Scalability:
- Traditional DAS: Limited to specific buildings
- Cellular over Wi-Fi: Easily scales across multiple locations
Carrier Integration:
- Traditional DAS: Requires carrier agreements for each installation
- Cellular over Wi-Fi: Works seamlessly with multiple carriers

🚀 Carrier Connect Networks enables Cellular over Wi-Fi to provide cost-effective, high-performance coverage—without the need for DAS!

What are the minimum network requirements for Cellular over Wi-Fi?

To ensure a seamless experience, your Wi-Fi network should meet the following:

✔ Wi-Fi Compatibility: Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7
✔ Dedicated VLAN for Passpoint for secure authentication
✔ High-Speed Internet:

Download Speed: 25 Mbps
Upload Speed: 10 Mbps
Latency: < 100ms
Jitter: < 50ms
Packet Loss: < 5%

🔎 Test your network with apps like Speedtest.net or Fast.com to verify performance!

What Carriers are Supported on Carrier Connect Networks’s Solution?

We provide a full list here

💡 Why it says “AltaBoost”: Alta Labs whitelabels Carrier Connect services as AltaBoost. That’s why official documentation may reference “AltaBoost” instead of Carrier Connect.

Due to marketing rights and legal reasons, Carrier Connect Networks can not list the names of certain carriers publicly. We’ve included a helpful video that will help you discover who they are and what to expect.

What additional services does Carrier Connect Networks provide?

Along with Passpoint Wi-Fi and Cellular over Wi-Fi, Carrier Connect Networks offers:

✔ Wi-Fi Calling Optimization – Includes 802.11r fast roaming, Passpoint SSID tuning, and NAT-mode adjustments.
✔ Network Usage Reporting – Monitor Passpoint service performance and receive outage alerts.
✔ Enterprise Connectivity Solutions and Consulting– Tailored services for retail chains, hospitals, hotels, offices, and high-density venues.

My organization is regulated, are Carrier Connect Networks’s services compatible?

Carrier Connect Networks, excluding hotspot operators, only processes anonymous identifiers of clients and sudo anonymized info about the access points themselves. Our service itself does not require or process any PII or PHI and is compatible with FIPS 140-2 encryption and hashing requirements. Carrier Connect Networks itself does not meet the regulatory requirements to be applicable to the regulations ourselves. However we have worked with multiple organizations working under strict regulations. Based on this, if your organization is regulated under any of the following regulations we feel confident that our services will be compliant with your organizations data policies and regulatory bodies.