HaLow Wi-Fi Breakthrough: Extending Reach and Battery Life for Unprecedented Connectivity

An important milestone has been reached by Wi-Fi HaLow, an extension of Wi-Fi designed for the Internet of Things (IoT) that showcases its capabilities in a real-time application. 

Morse Micro recently showcased the world’s first live application of Wi-Fi HaLow, based on the IEEE 802.11ah standard, achieving a record-setting long-range video call covering almost two miles. 

HaLow operates in the sub-GHz range (850-950 MHz), allowing it to penetrate obstacles and connect IoT devices over much longer distances with significantly lower power consumption.

Morse Micro’s demonstration in San Francisco’s Ocean Beach neighborhood highlighted HaLow’s potential in real-world scenarios, showcasing its three-kilometer reach. The impressive performance demonstrated a 10x increase in range, 100x coverage area, and 1000x volume compared to traditional Wi-Fi technologies. 

Although there was a noticeable reduction in speed, transitioning from 17Mbps at a distance of 250 meters to 1Mbps at a distance of three kilometers, Wi-Fi HaLow’s ability to sustain a video call under challenging circumstances emphasized its reliability and robust performance.

HaLow’s Competitive Edge

Wi-Fi HaLow goes beyond its long-range capabilities; it also offers energy-efficient operations that can substantially extend the battery life of devices. This feature holds immense potential, particularly for IoT devices powered by coin batteries, enabling months of functionality without the need for frequent battery changes.

Morse Micro’s CEO, Michael De Nil, emphasized the significance of the successful Wi-Fi HaLow demonstration, praising its unparalleled range, low power consumption, and superior throughput. As a frontrunner in the IoT landscape, HaLow addresses critical connectivity challenges, opening new possibilities for IoT deployments.

Despite HaLow’s achievements, it faces competition from alternatives such as LoRa/LoraWAN, known for its low power, wide range, and cost-effective connectivity over challenging terrains. 

Moreover, NB-IoT, which stands for NarrowBand-Internet of Things, represents an extension of LTE technology, providing communication with low bandwidth capabilities specifically designed for licensed mobile networks.

The evolving landscape of IoT connectivity options ensures a dynamic environment, where each technology strives to meet specific requirements and overcome distinct challenges.