Roaming　in　wireless　mesh　networks　(WMNs)　requires　that　mobile　nodes　complete　access　authentication　fast　while　protecting　the　identities　of　mobile　nodes.　In　this　paper,　after　analyzing　some　current　authentication　protocols　for　roaming　in　wireless　mesh　networks,　we　propose　a　new　protocol　based　on　multi-signature　and　three-party　key　agreement　with　a　zone-based　hierarchical　network　topology　and　prove　the　security　properties　of　the　protocol　through　formal　analysis　that　is　based　on　the　strand　space　model.　We　also　demonstrate　the　reliability　and　performance　of　the　proposed　protocol　through　network　simulations.　©　2012　ACADEMY　PUBLISHER.