Microsoft and Adaptrum Hold Successful Super Wi-Fi Demonstration

Super Wi-Fi is a relatively new term that was coined by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to describe a new networking program the FCC plans to implement. The FCC has developed a wireless networking proposal, which the FCC plans to use for the creation of long-distance wireless Internet connections. Most smart device users know that to connect to a Wi-Fi network, the device needs to be in the vicinity of the base station. The closer you are, the more powerful the connection.

The FCC plans on using lower-frequency white spaces between television channel frequencies instead of the traditional 2.4 GHz radio frequencies that Wi-Fi currently uses to connect to devices. According to the FCC, the lower frequencies allow the signal to travel further than ever before.

Microsoft and Adaptrum came together to power a demonstration which showed how “Super Wi-Fi” works at the American Development Bank Annual Meeting last week. In a press release, it described ‘Super Wi-Fi’ is an “innovative and potentially disruptive wireless broadband technology pioneered by the FCC and leading U.S. companies like Microsoft and Google and U.S.-based startups.”

Almost a year ago, Rice University, partnered up with a nonprofit organization called Technology For All. Together, the two groups were able to install the first residential deployment of the new Super Wi-Fi. The network was successful in using the white spaces for backhaul and was able to still provide connection to clients using the 2.4 GHz.

Both companies have long been involved in making significant contributions to the FCC’s Super Wi-Fi process. In fact, the showcase sponsored by the team was highly successful. “The base station is connected to the Internet and a whitespace connection was established between the base station and client station using the assigned channels, allowing the client side devices to stream live HD moves from Netflix, perform Skype calls, and browse the Internet all through TV whitespace connection.”

The companies plan on making more products with Super Wi-Fi capabilities available to the public by the end of the year, projecting major revenues by 2013.