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Super Wi-Fi refers to IEEE 802.11g/ n/ ac/ ax Wi-Fi implementations over unlicensed 2.4 and 5
GHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one he ...
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi () is a family of wireless network protocols, based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for local area networking of devices and Internet access, allowing nearby digital devices to exchange data by radio wave ...
bands but with performance enhancements for antenna control, multiple path beam selection, advance control for best path, and applied intelligence for load balancing giving it bi-directional connectivity range for standard wifi enabled devices over distances of up to 1,700 meters. Hong Kong-based Altai Technologies (http://www.altaitechnologies.com) developed and patented Super Wi-Fi technology and manufacturers a product line of base stations and access points deployed extensively around the world beginning in 2007. Due to its extended range and advanced interference mitigation, Super Wi-Fi is primarily used for expansive outdoor and heavy industrial use cases. (https://www.altaitechnologies.com/case-studies-logistics/) Krysp Wireless, LLC (https://kryspwireless.com) is Altai Technologies' Master Distributor for North America focused on the sale and distribution of Super Wi-Fi products for large enterprises, WISPs and municipal deployments. Altai's Super Wi-Fi technology should not be confused with the FCC's use of the term relating to proposed plans announced in 2012 for using TV white space spectrum to support delivery of long range internet access.


History

Super Wi-Fi is a term originally coined by the United States
Federal Communications Commission The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains jurisdiction ...
(FCC) to describe a
wireless network A wireless network is a computer network that uses wireless data connections between network nodes. Wireless networking is a method by which homes, telecommunications networks and business installations avoid the costly process of introducing c ...
ing proposal which the FCC plans to use for the creation of longer-distance wireless
Internet access Internet access is the ability of individuals and organizations to connect to the Internet using computer terminals, computers, and other devices; and to access services such as email and the World Wide Web. Internet access is sold by Internet ...
. The use of the trademark "Wi-Fi" in the name has been criticized because it is neither based on Wi-Fi technology nor endorsed by the
Wi-Fi Alliance The Wi-Fi Alliance is a non-profit organization that owns the Wi-Fi trademark. Manufacturers may use the trademark to brand products certified for Wi-Fi interoperability. History Early 802.11 products suffered from interoperability problems be ...
. A trade show has also been called the "Super WiFi Summit" (without hyphen). Various standards such as
IEEE 802.22 IEEE 802.22, is a standard for wireless regional area network (WRAN) using white spaces in the television (TV) frequency spectrum. The development of the IEEE 802.22 WRAN standard is aimed at using cognitive radio (CR) techniques to allow sharing ...
and
IEEE 802.11af IEEE 802.11af, also referred to as White-Fi and Super Wi-Fi, is a wireless computer networking standard in the 802.11 family, that allows wireless local area network (WLAN) operation in TV White spaces (radio), white space spectrum in the VHF and U ...
have been proposed for this concept. The term "White-Fi" has also been used to indicate the use of white space for IEEE 802.11af.


Technology

Altai Technologies' Super Wi-Fi leverages a dynamic use of unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz bands to seamlessly migrate nomadic device connections from one band to the other depending on their distance from the Super Wi-Fi base station/access point. This dynamic use of both unlicensed bands combined with patented throughput optimization and interference mitigation is what supports Super Wi-Fi's extended range. Conversely, The FCC's Super Wi-Fi proposal is a network backhaul solution that uses the lower-frequency white spaces between
television channel frequencies The following tables show the frequencies assigned to broadcast television channels in various regions of the world, along with the ITU letter designator for the system used. The frequencies shown are for the analogue video and audio carriers. ...
. These lower frequencies allow the signal to travel further and penetrate walls better than the higher frequencies previously used. The FCC's plan was to allow those white space frequencies to be used for free, as happens with shorter-range Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limi ...
. However, due to concerns of interference to broadcast, Super Wi-Fi devices cannot access the TV spectrum at will. The FCC has made mandatory the utilization of a
TV white space database TV White Space database, also commonly referred to as (TV) geolocation database, is an entity that controls the TV spectrum utilization by unlicensed white spaces devices within a determined geographical area. Its sole objective is to enable unlic ...
(also referred to as a
geolocation database TV White Space database, also commonly referred to as (TV) geolocation database, is an entity that controls the TV spectrum utilization by unlicensed white spaces devices within a determined geographical area. Its sole objective is to enable unlic ...
), which must be accessed by Super Wi-Fi devices before the latter gain access to the VHF-UHF spectrum. The white space database evaluates the potential for interference to broadcast and either grants or denies access of Super Wi-Fi devices to the VHF-UHF spectrum. Continuing research exists evaluating the potential for Super Wi-Fi Networks for coverage and performance.


Deployments

Altai Technologies' Super Wi-Fi deployment use cases around the world include container ports, heavy industrial complexes, campus environments, mining operations, agriculture and airports among others (https://kryspwireless.com/resources/case-studies/). Proof of concept deployments for the FCC's Super Wi-Fi initiative leveraging TV white space include
Rice University William Marsh Rice University (Rice University) is a Private university, private research university in Houston, Houston, Texas. It is on a 300-acre campus near the Houston Museum District and adjacent to the Texas Medical Center. Rice is ranke ...
, in partnership with the nonprofit organization
Technology For All Technology For All is a nonprofit organization based in Houston, Texas. Developed in 1997 by local entrepreneurs, Technology For All services community-based organizations (such as development centers, YMCAs, and local schools) with computer technol ...
, installed the first residential deployment of Super Wi-Fi in east Houston in April 2011. The network uses white spaces for backhaul and provides access to clients using 2.4 
GHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one he ...
Wi-Fi. A month later, a public Super Wi-Fi network was deployed in
Calgary Calgary ( ) is the largest city in the western Canadian province of Alberta and the largest metro area of the three Prairie Provinces. As of 2021, the city proper had a population of 1,306,784 and a metropolitan population of 1,481,806, makin ...
,
Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...
, when Calgary-based company
WestNet Wireless WestNet Wireless is a wireless carrier operator based in Calgary, Alberta. In early 2008, WestNet Wireless submitted its application to Industry Canada's wireless auction. History WestNet Wireless initially wanted to launch custom solutions wirel ...
launched the network for free and paid subscribers. The United States' first public Super Wi-Fi network was deployed in
Wilmington, North Carolina Wilmington is a port city in and the county seat of New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina, United States. With a population of 115,451 at the 2020 census, it is the eighth most populous city in the state. Wilmington is the ...
, on January 26, 2012.
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
-based company Spectrum Bridge launched a network for public use with access at Hugh MacRae park.
West Virginia University West Virginia University (WVU) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Morgantown, West Virginia. Its other campuses are those of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley, Potomac State College ...
launched the first campus Super Wi-Fi network on July 9, 2013. Currently, Microsoft is using TV Whitespaces to provide Super Wi-Fi connectivity in select regions across Africa, Asia, North America, and South America. This is after running successful trials back in 2012 in countries such as Belgium, Kenya, Switzerland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay. As of 2021, Microsoft runs the service unde
Project Mawingu
in Microsoft 4Afrika to provide low-cost internet access within rural communities in the African continent. The countries served include the likes of Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana and Botswana.


See also

*
Li-Fi Li-Fi (also written as LiFi) is a wireless communication technology which utilizes light to transmit data and position between devices. The term was first introduced by Harald Haas during a 2011 TEDGlobal talk in Edinburgh. Li-Fi is a light comm ...


References

{{Telecommunications Wi-Fi es:Super Wi-Fi fr:Super Wi-Fi ru:Super Wi-Fi