Publicroam

Publicroam is a Dutch Wi-Fi service that gives users access to secure wireless internet networks. Founded in 2017 by Paul Francissen and Ted Dinklo, the service was created to make the use of public Wi-Fi networks safer and simpler, offering an alternative to open guest networks that rely on shared passwords and often provide limited security and privacy. The service initially grew among public-sector institutions, including public libraries, municipal buildings, museums, and the student housing corporation SSH. Through a single registration, users can connect automatically at all participating locations. Publicroam is available at approximately 1,700 locations in the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands, according to Dutch Wikipedia, while the official website cites more than 1,900 locations and over 590,000 users. The network spans municipalities, libraries, museums, sports facilities, co-working spaces, and healthcare locations. In 2020 the service was extended to public institutions on Saba, where it was introduced by the island government alongside Govroam as a public network. In 2025 Publicroam also became available at NS train stations, replacing earlier access to public Wi-Fi networks at stations and work locations. Users register once via the Publicroam app or through login credentials sent by SMS. After that, devices can connect automatically to all participating networks. Security is based on WPA2-Enterprise with certificates, so data between the user and the access point is encrypted. For end users, Publicroam is free to use. Institutions that offer Publicroam pay an annual fee that depends on the number of locations and access points; an average connection costs the provider around 1,000 euros per year. The service is positioned as a privacy-friendly and secure alternative to conventional public Wi-Fi, with the promise of automatic and safe connectivity across all Publicroam locations. It supports a wide range of devices, including iOS, macOS, Windows, Android/Samsung, Chromebook, and Linux. Publicroam is a commercial service operated for the Dutch market, with its official website at publicroam.nl and additional information at publicroam.net.

Publicroam was founded in 2017 by Paul Francissen and Ted Dinklo. The goal was to make the use of public Wi-Fi networks safer and simpler, offering an alternative to openly accessible guest networks with shared passwords, where security and privacy are often limited. The service initially grew among institutions in the public sector. Various public libraries, municipal buildings, and museums joined, as well as the student housing corporation SSH. This allowed Publicroam to grow into a network that offered access at a large number of locations with a single registration. In 2020 the service was extended to public institutions on Saba, where Publicroam was introduced by the island government alongside Govroam as a public network. In 2025 Publicroam also became available at NS train stations, replacing the earlier access to public Wi-Fi networks at stations and work locations. The service is available at approximately 1,700 locations in the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands according to Dutch Wikipedia, while the official website states more than 1,900 locations and over 590,000 users. Users register once via the Publicroam app or via login credentials provided by SMS. After that, devices can automatically connect to all participating networks. Security is based on WPA2-Enterprise with certificates, so data between the user and the access point is encrypted. For end users, use of Publicroam is free. Institutions that offer Publicroam pay an annual fee, the amount of which depends on the number of locations and access points. An average connection costs the provider around 1,000 euros per year.

• 2025

  Publicroam made available at NS train stations, replacing earlier public Wi-Fi access.

• 2020

  Service extended to public institutions on Saba, introduced alongside Govroam.

• 2017

  Publicroam founded by Paul Francissen and Ted Dinklo.

Privacy-friendly, secure, and easy-to-use public Wi-Fi alternative with one-time registration and automatic connectivity across participating locations.

• Publicroam Wi-Fi network access

  Secure wireless internet access at participating locations via one-time registration.

• Publicroam app

  Mobile app for registration and automatic connection to Publicroam networks.

• SMS login credentials

  Alternative registration method where login credentials are sent by SMS.

1. 1Publicroam - Publicroampublicroam.net
2. 2Publicroamwikidata.org
3. 3Publicroamnl.wikipedia.org