Feature Article

Free eNews Subscription>>
April 16, 2014

Super Wi-Fi Continues To Evolve

The battle in Washington over spectrum is about to take a major shift, with the emphasis placed on investing in alternative spectrum solutions.

The FCC is close to applying the TV White Space principles (frequencies allocated to a broadcasting service, but not used locally) that it set out in the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) document to other spectrum ranges. The goal is to enable innovation for solutions for IoT, the enterprise and other concerned parties.

In effect, though, they will no longer use the term “Super Wi-Fi”; the FCC wants the innovation that came about with Wi-Fi to be brought to super-coverage areas. The term “dynamic spectrum” is now in vogue, as FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler likes to make good use of the word “innovation” whenever he talks about wireless.

Our “Super Wi-Fi” rose still smells as sweet, however, when the conference focuses on the investment opportunities of using spectrum in the future. The FCC is heading to a place where new wireless network architectures are possible, and warrant companies seeking solutions to support their M2M requirements may find it possible to build it without carriers. As a result, Super Wi-Fi will be looking for case studies of people who are using spectrum to match their needs.                     

Wi-Fi has enabled the end user like no other wireless Internet solution. Before Wi-Fi was available to access the Internet, cellular solutions were gateways laden with very restrictive interfaces, the best of which was NTT DoCoMo Corp.’s i-mode. With the development of Wi-Fi, though, came more direct interfaces to computers, which led to better dongles, smartphones and tablets.  All of these options enabled direct management by the end user as an alternative, which made the experience to be had on the wireless Web as good (or at least closer) to the experience of the Web from the home and office. 

So now we have a chance to make it to the next level, which won’t be a home-enabling experience but a solution that enables capability for companies, municipals and services. And this solution is not going to require millions of dollars of licenses and capital, but one that can be developed and implemented in a cost-efficient manner and which can expand the ecosystem to enable innovators to use spectrum and deliver their own solutions. Once established, this should all make the experience viral- and growth-explosive, as policy is leading to these new opportunities. 

Not fond of the term “Super Wi-Fi”? That’s fine. Just be aware that the innovation enabling your future is based on the success of your past.
 


FOLLOW MobilityTechzone

Subscribe to MobilityTechzone eNews

MobilityTechzone eNews delivers the latest news impacting technology in the Wireless industry each week. Sign up to receive FREE breaking news today!
FREE eNewsletter