Why Device Provisioning Protocol for OEMs Is Essential for Future-Ready IoT Devices
Wireless Connectivity
Sujith Sukumaran
October 10, 2025
Sujith Sukumaran
October 10, 2025
In the present era of digital connectivity, Device Provisioning Protocol for OEMs has become essential as IoT is changing the way homes, businesses, and industries operate. There is a steep rise in the number of Wi-Fi-enabled devices. This could range from smart speakers and plugs to industrial sensors and connected appliances powered by Wi-Fi.
Summary box:
Device Provisioning Protocol for OEMs plays a critical role in improving wireless device ROI by enabling secure onboarding, reducing failures, and minimizing costly redesigns through early validation and testing.
Key takeaways:
1. Improves secure WiFi onboarding and provisioning reliability.
2. Reduces certification risks and post-launch failures.
3. Helps OEMs optimize development cost, timelines, and ROI.
The extensive usage of these devices creates a critical challenge for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) regarding how to connect these devices to Wi-Fi securely and seamlessly. However, the device provisioning protocol for OEMs has emerged as a critical enabler for secure and scalable IoT deployments. In this blog post, we shall discuss in detail about password-free Wi-Fi setup for OEMs that is: implementing Wi-Fi Easy Connect for OEMs.
This approach lays the groundwork for a Wi-Fi Easy Connect implementation in RDK-B, enabling OEMs to embed secure, password-free Wi-Fi onboarding directly into broadband gateways and connected home ecosystems.
Traditional onboarding methods such as typing long passwords or relying on Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) are outdated. The limitations of WPS and legacy onboarding methods have become more apparent as connected ecosystems grow. This is where Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP), implemented through Wi-Fi Easy Connect™, offers a modern alternative purpose-built for OEM ecosystems. They are slow, insecure, and nearly impossible for “headless” devices without screens or keyboards.
Beyond user frustration, this complexity impacts OEM’s business outcomes. Moreover, complex onboarding leads to delayed launches, rising support costs, negative user reviews, and higher product return rates. For OEMs choosing the right Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) has become a foundational requirement for deploying secure, scalable, and user-friendly IoT devices across consumer, enterprise, and industrial environments.
Global IoT device deployments are expected to reach USD 245 billion by 2025, with a 20%+ CAGR through 2030, placing immense emphasis on fast, secure, scalable device onboarding as a key business driver. (source)
Smart homes, sensors, and gadgets connected on a central Wi-Fi network.
Wi-Fi Easy Connect™ is a modern standard introduced by the Wi-Fi Alliance to simplify and secure device onboarding. Unlike older approaches, Easy Connect eliminates the need to share or manually enter Wi-Fi passwords. Instead, it relies on public key cryptography to authenticate devices.
At its foundation is the Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP). With DPP, devices without user interface in RDK-B systems can be securely onboarded through a simple QR code scan, NFC tap, or another out-of-band method. This process ensures that onboarding is not only easier for the end user but also more secure for the OEM.
Discover how OEMs are implementing Wi-Fi Easy Connect in RDK-B to deliver faster, more secure onboarding experiences. Wi-Fi Easy Connect with DPP in RDK-B | QR-Based Onboarding
Diagram of Wi-Fi Easy Connect for OEMS – onboarding process
The onboarding process using device provisioning protocol is both simple and robust. A new device, called the enrollee, presents its identity through a QR code or similar mechanism. The router or gateway, known as the configurator, scans this identity and validates it using public-private key exchange. Once authentication is complete, Wi-Fi credentials are transmitted securely, never exposed in plaintext. The enrollee then stores the credentials for future use, enabling it to reconnect automatically after restarts.
By removing passwords and reducing setup errors, DPP implemented through Easy Connect ensures only authorized devices join the network. This approach ensures that Wi-Fi credentials are never exposed, making DPP-based provisioning inherently more secure and better suited for OEM-scale deployments. This would mean fewer customer frustrations and more reliable device performance in real-world environments.
For OEMs, onboarding has moved from being a background technical step to a frontline factor in business success. Market studies reveal that a significant proportion of customers (often cited as over 70%) prefer self-setup for connected devices, but onboarding failures drive support tickets and costly returns.
Easy Connect helps OEMs:
Therefore, by adopting Device Provisioning Protocol for OEMs, manufacturers can transform onboarding from a technical hurdle into a competitive differentiator.
Explore how RDK-B integration with Easy Connect helps OEMs achieve both security and scalability in their gateway deployments. RDK-B integration with non-native Wi-Fi SoCs
Within broadband and gateway environments, RDK-B provides a robust foundation for implementing Device Provisioning Protocol for OEMs. For OEMs in the broadband and networking space, the RDK-B (Reference Design Kit – Broadband) platform provides a powerful foundation for implementing Easy Connect. ThinkPalm has extended the TR-181 data model within RDK-B Wi-Fi integration to incorporate DPP parameters such as signing keys, roles, and status flags. This enhancement is part of integrating DPP into RDK-B for OEM gateways, which allows device makers to implement secure, standardized Wi-Fi onboarding directly into gateway firmware, ensuring consistent device behavior across platforms.
This allows gateways and routers to act as configurators, managing onboarding across entire device fleets. With this integration, OEMs gain centralized device management, real-time telemetry, and automatic reconnection for devices after restarts or power cycles. Easy Connect within RDK-B provides not only secure onboarding but also a framework for managing connected devices at scale.
Easy Connect benefits a wide range of markets:
Industrial IoT onboarding is particularly challenging due to complex networks and stringent security needs, making Easy Connect’s automated authentication and scalable device onboarding essential.
Adding Easy Connect results in demonstrable operational and financial wins:
Traditional OEM Onboarding Methods vs Device Provisioning Protocol for OEMs
Comparing traditional onboarding Vs Device Provisioning Protocol for OEMs
See how leading OEMs cut Wi-Fi setup failures by 40% using Easy Connect in real-world deployments. Integrating Wi-Fi Easy Connect™ in RDK-B| ThinkPalm case study
As IoT ecosystems expand, Device Provisioning Protocol for OEMs will play a central role in the following ways:
As IoT adoption accelerates, secure IoT connectivity has become a decisive factor in product success. Passwords and outdated methods like WPS can no longer meet modern expectations for security and ease of use.
For OEMs evaluating a long-term Device Provisioning Protocol strategy, DPP-enabled Wi-Fi Easy Connect offers a future-ready foundation for secure, scalable IoT growth.
The benefits extend from faster time-to-market to reduced costs and stronger customer loyalty.
In the competitive IoT era, DPP [Easy Connect] is more than a technical upgrade. It is a strategic advantage that helps OEMs future-proof their products and deliver the scalable device onboarding that users demand.
Q1: What is Wi-Fi Easy Connect™ for OEMs?
It is a secure onboarding standard that uses cryptographic keys instead of passwords, allowing OEMs to deliver simpler, safer setup for connected devices.
Q2: How does DPP improve IoT security?
DPP uses public key cryptography for mutual authentication, ensuring only authorized devices connect and eliminating risks tied to shared or default passwords.
Q3: Why should OEMs adopt Wi-Fi Easy Connect™?
It reduces onboarding failures, accelerates launches, lowers support costs, and improves customer satisfaction, delivering better ROI.
Q4: Can Easy Connect be integrated into RDK-B?
Yes. RDK-B gateways can function as configurators, securely provisioning IoT devices at scale with extended TR-181 models.
Q5: What is the difference between Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) and Wi-Fi Easy Connect™?
Device Provisioning Protocol (DPP) is the cryptographic protocol that enables secure, password-free onboarding, while Wi-Fi Easy Connect™ is the Wi-Fi Alliance–certified standard that implements DPP for interoperable, OEM-ready deployments.
Sujith Sukumaran is a Digital Marketing Analyst, where he focuses on SEO strategies and driving website growth. With a strong interest in digital marketing, he is constantly exploring new ways to enhance online visibility. Outside of work, Sujith is an avid football enthusiast.