U-M WiFi Auto Connect

U-M WiFi Auto Connect is a WiFi feature for smartphones, offered to university guests as an easy, secure way to join the eduroam WiFi network. It eliminates the need for guest smartphone users to find and authenticate to the MGuest WiFi network when visiting the university. The feature leverages automatic WiFi network detection and cellular SIM identity authentication using the Passpoint WiFi standard, enabling a seamless and secure connection to eduroam while on campus.

This feature is currently in a proof of concept (POC) phase. It has been enabled in four public university spaces: the Michigan Union, Michigan League, the Hatcher, and Shapiro Libraries for the POC, with AT&T as the only supported carrier for testing purposes. Smartphones with service from a supported carrier will automatically find, securely authenticate, and connect to the U-M WiFi infrastructure. U-M WiFi Auto Connect is intended for university guests as an easy alternative to the MGuest WiFi network.

A key goal for the POC is to validate and understand if WiFi calling is automatically enabled and on which devices and through which carriers it occurs. A major issue with WiFi calling is that the E911 location data delivered on a WiFi call is generally the account holder's billing address or another statically configured address. This is the reason some carriers and devices may not allow it to be automatically enabled. However, recent advances in device operating system software and carrier capabilities have enabled device Location Services to establish a real-time location that can be delivered when an emergency call is made over WiFi Calling. Our hope is to advance this capability with carriers as part of the POC and expand coverage to additional campus locations in future phases of the project.

FAQs

What are the benefits this service provides?
  • Provides guests visiting the Ann Arbor campus with an easily accessible and secure WiFi network on their mobile devices. 
  • Smartphones connected to U-M WiFi Auto Connect will work over WiFi in locations that may not have adequate cellular coverage.
  • Eliminate the need for U-M guests to find and authenticate to the U-M WiFi network each time they visit.
What devices are supported?

This service works only on compatible smartphones (most iOS and Android devices). It does not work on laptops or with other WiFi device types.

Where can you use the U-M WiFi Auto Connect?

U-M WiFi Auto Connect is currently available in several public university spaces, specifically: Union, Michigan League, Hatcher, and Shapiro Libraries.

What carriers are currently supporting U-M WiFi Auto Connect?

AT&T is the only carrier that supports U-M WiFi Auto Connect at this time. We are actively working to onboard other carriers.

If I already use a U-M WiFi network or eduroam, what does this change?

Nothing! Devices will always join a stored or saved SSID with the credentials you’ve provided in the past before trying to use WiFi Auto Connect to authenticate and connect.

How do I connect my mobile device to U-M WiFi Auto Connect?

Supported devices automatically connect to the Eduroam network as long as WiFi is enabled on the device. When in range of this network, users will detect "eduroam - AT&T Passpoint" on their phones. Passpoint is the standard used by U-M WiFi Auto Connect.