A new innovative Wi-Fi system is introduced by the Wi-Fi Alliance promising faster data transfer between devices with the forthcoming Wi-Fi HaLow. The new technology is expected to hit market shelves sometime in 2018.
According to a report by Science Alert, Wi-Fi Alliance recently confirmed the new Wi-Fi HaLow which features longer ranges, as well as better power efficiency. The Halow is believed to operate in 900MHz band compared to the current 2.4GHz and 5GHz in most homes.
It covers greater distances and is an extension of the 802.11ah standard. It suits perfectly on small wearable devices that are not directly connected to the main power such as smartphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, coffee machines and many others.
Generally, it is best suitable for small connected devices dubbed as the "Internet of Things". Furthermore, with its more efficient battery consumption and larger scope, it could be the next biggest innovative technology.
It is also expected to compete with existing technologies as stated by Wi-Fi Alliance marketing chief Kevin Robinson. "HaLow [could play] a large role in the [Internet of Things]," Robinson said, as reported by Digital Trends. "HaLow will provide similar characteristics in terms to [sic] battery life to technologies that are out there today", he added.
However, as reported by The Verge the device is not for internet surfing as it is slower in transferring data with its date speed at 150 kilobits per second to 18 megabits per second. It is to be utilize to transfer smaller data at infrequent number of times.
More details are expected to be unveiled about the HaLow such as its power specifications, but it should be unveiled in the next couple of years since although the Wi-Fi Alliance's Wi-Fi HaLow sounds like the next big thing in technology, the Alliance will only begin to certify HaLow products in 2018.
