The intention is to produce a technical standard that will allow users to join the hotspot invisibly, as well as protect their connections with WPA2 (the same security used by most home and small office routers to protect data from snooping).

Such a move is massively overdue and should bring some order to the fragmented and somewhat chaotic system of wireless hotpots offered across the country.

Although technical details are sparse right now, the new hotspot system will primarily rely on authentication via SIM cards installed in cell phones. Unique details from the SIM card could be sent as part of the initial negotiation with the wireless router, for example.

There's no word on how wireless-only tablets and other mobile devices like laptops will connect, although there is a commitment to reducing sign-on steps and making the process consistent amongst providers. A unified sign-on system could be put in place across carriers, perhaps , for example.

Companies like Apple and Google will have to adapt the iOS and Android cell phone operating systems to conform the new hotspot standards, but that won't be hard to do, and both companies are part of the Wi-Fi Alliance.