Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are always on the lookout for services that add measurable value to their clients while building recurring revenue. Some solutions are complex to explain, costly to deploy, or too niche to scale. Carrier offloading, however, is different.
This is one of those rare opportunities that checks every box:
- Simple to deliver: It uses the WiFi networks your clients already run.
- High impact: It solves a problem every business faces: poor indoor cellular coverage.
- Revenue positive: It can put money in your client’s pocket or in yours.
Let’s unpack why WiFi Carrier Offloading, powered by Passpoint® technology, deserves a spot in every MSP’s portfolio.
What is WiFi Carrier Offloading?
In plain English: WiFi Carrier Offloading happens when a mobile carrier (like AT&T or T-Mobile) automatically shifts a device’s data traffic from the cellular network connection to a secure, trusted enterprise WiFi network indoors.
- Why it matters indoors: Concrete, steel, and glass kill cell signals. Offloading to WiFi ensures phones still work smoothly inside businesses.
- Who benefits: Clients see better guest experiences, fewer complaints, and new revenue streams. Carriers reduce strain on their towers.
For MSPs, it’s a win-win. You’re turning an everyday pain point —“I can’t get service in here”— into a solution your clients will thank you for.
The Role of Passpoint® Technology
Carrier offloading isn’t just a “connect to WiFi” shortcut. It relies on Passpoint®, a standard developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. See https://www.wi-fi.org/access.
- Automatic onboarding: Devices connect seamlessly to trusted WiFi, without captive portals or passwords.
- Carrier-grade security: Passpoint® uses enterprise-grade encryption and authentication (based on SIM credentials or secure certificates).
- Trusted ecosystem: Because Passpoint® is backed by the Wi-Fi Alliance, it’s recognized and supported globally.
👉 Translation for your clients: Their guests’ phones hop automatically from the outdoor cell tower network connection to the business’s secure indoor WiFi, without any extra clicks.
According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, Passpoint® was created to improve mobile experiences indoors by making WiFi as seamless and secure as cellular roaming. That’s exactly what businesses want: zero user friction, better coverage, and no extra IT burden.
Why MSPs Should Care
Adding WiFi Carrier Offloading to your portfolio isn’t just about fixing dead zones. It’s about business outcomes.
- Stronger Client Value
- You’re not just managing IT anymore — you’re solving a real, visible pain point for staff and guests.
- You move from “vendor” to “strategic partner” status.
- Recurring Revenue
- Carriers pay for offloading traffic to your client’s WiFi.
- MSPs can either keep that revenue, or share a portion with the client as part of a bundled service.
- Low Lift Deployment
- Uses the WiFi infrastructure already in place.
- No six-figure DAS installs or complex cellular agreements.
- Most setups involve enabling Passpoint® profiles and integrating with carrier networks.
- Competitive Differentiator
- Few MSPs are talking about carrier offloading today.
- Stronger Client Value
- Being first-to-market in your region can set you apart.
A Quick Example
Imagine a hotel that constantly gets bad reviews about spotty cell service in the lobby and guest rooms. The MSP managing their IT adds carrier offloading:
- Guests’ phones now connect seamlessly to the hotel’s trusted WiFi.
- Uploads, calls, and apps all run smoothly.
- The hotel earns passive revenue every month from carriers for that traffic.
The MSP can choose to keep the revenue stream or offer a revenue-share model with the hotel. Either way, the client sees more value and less churn.
Addressing Security Concerns
Clients will inevitably ask: “If phones connect automatically, is it secure?”
Here’s your answer: Yes — more secure than traditional guest WiFi.
- Passpoint® eliminates the risk of rogue SSIDs and fake hotspots.
- Encryption and carrier authentication ensure only authorized devices join.
- No need for guests to type passwords that can be shared or intercepted.
As the Wi-Fi Alliance puts it, Passpoint® delivers “cellular-like” security for WiFi. That’s a powerful reassurance for clients in industries like healthcare, finance, or hospitality.
How to Position It
When talking with clients, frame carrier offloading around outcomes, not acronyms.
- Hospitality: “Guests won’t complain about dead zones in their rooms or lobbies.”
- Healthcare: “Doctors and nurses stay connected on their phones inside the clinic.”
- Retail/Restaurants: “Customers’ payment apps and QR menus work instantly.”
Always close with the kicker: “And the carriers pay for using it.”
The Bottom Line for MSPs
Carrier offloading powered by Passpoint® is a service that delivers:
- Better indoor cellular coverage for your clients
- New revenue streams you control
- Differentiation in a crowded MSP market
It’s not often a new service hits all three at once.
That’s why smart MSPs are adding it to their portfolios today.