Australian startup Morse Micro has developed Wi-Fi technology with an impressive 3-kilometer range. The technology uses a wireless protocol called Wi-Fi HaLow, which operates in the 900-megahertz frequency band and allows for narrower channel bandwidths. This results in longer ranges and better penetration of solid objects. Wi-Fi HaLow is low power and is designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Morse Micro recently conducted a test in San Francisco, demonstrating that two tablets connected over a HaLow network could communicate at distances of up to 3 km while maintaining speeds of around 1 megabit per second. Despite the impressive capabilities of this technology, it has not gained significant adoption and faces competition from other IoT connectivity options such as ZigBee and Bluetooth. The industry remains skeptical about its potential. However, Morse Micro remains optimistic, stating that its high data rates and long ranges make it suitable for a wide range of IoT applications. The launch of a certification program by the Wi-Fi Alliance may improve interoperability and support the technology’s growth.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/wi-fi-halow