We are living in a super-connected, smart world. Today’s devices can communicate with each other, control each other, and in most challenging environments, manage each other. At the heart of the IoT functionality that powers all of this lies the good old Wi-Fi technology – which is about to get revolutionized. Wi-Fi HaLow, next-generation connectivity, is in the making and it is being developed with IoT (Internet of Things) in focus.
Wi-Fi Alliance, a global firm that certifies all Wi-Fi providers around the world, is itself pioneering the technology. They claim “It’s a more comprehensive approach to wireless connectivity,” which will have a range of “about 1 km,” providing an infallible connection in “challenging environments where the ability to penetrate walls and other barriers is an important consideration.” All these characteristics fit perfectly into the requirements of a network that IoT devices seek. Wi-Fi HaLow is a new hope for existing and upcoming IoT devices.
Speaking about the tech, Kevin Robinson, senior vice president of Marketing, at Wi-Fi Alliance, said, “A Wi-Fi HaLow network can be deployed in the presence of existing Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6 networks without interfering with their RF performance and can easily become part of the complete Wi-Fi portfolio. In this way, Wi-Fi HaLow delivers a more comprehensive approach to connectivity and broadens current Wi-Fi coverage to hard-to-reach places such as garages, basements, attics, warehouses, factories, and large outdoor areas.”
As IoT devices are seeing more advancements and the world is seeing more crises, the timing wouldn’t be better to have a connectivity technology that is low power, high performance, and more secure. Let’s discuss some other reasons that make Wi-Fi HaLow a favorite of IoT.
Works on “Lower Frequency”
Current Wi-Fi uses a 2.4-5 GHz spectrum. Wi-Fi Halow is expected to work on less than 1 GHz. This means less power consumption, longer transmission of data, and robust connectivity.
Robinson shares, “Wi-Fi HaLow is best suited for applications that require lower power, longer range, and robust connectivity, even in challenging environments—including sensors, personal wearable devices, utility meters, and streaming compressed video from security cameras.”
One interesting use case of this feature can be security cameras installed in industrial and smart home applications. Wi-Fi HaLow can offer immense benefits for industries like education, manufacturing, healthcare, smart cities, and more. Additionally, smart homeowners can use its longer range and power for their smart devices, baby monitors, and battery-powered cameras.
Follows “Current Protocols”
Connecting to this new wireless technology wouldn’t be a problem since it works on the same protocol that current Wi-Fi follows. You wouldn’t be required to install any new technology to use Wi-Fi HaLow.
Kevin shares, “Wi-Fi HaLow will broadly adopt existing Wi-Fi protocols and deliver many of the benefits that consumers have come to expect from Wi-Fi today, including multi-vendor interoperability, strong government-grade security, and easy setup.”
Slow “Data Speed”
Since the new technology works on a lower spectrum, you mustn’t expect the fast internet speeds that conventional Wi-Fi offers. While that might look like a drawback on the surface, it isn’t. IoT devices rarely need high data transfers. Any IoT device used in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and other industries is always running. High-data transfers will naturally drain more power and energy. As a result, they will incur unwanted costs. This problem is resolved with Wi-Fi HaLow.
More “Secure”
With IoT devices, security is always a concern. However, Wi-Fi Halow is expected to support WPA3 security, the latest security protocol in Wi-Fi technology.