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February 02, 2012

Exploring the Potential in Super WiFi

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

The demand for increased access to wireless capabilities is driving the need for additional available spectrum. To gain insight into where we are in the process, TMC (News - Alert) wanted to get closer to those at the heart of the action. To that end, Rich Tehrani sat down with Robert Wu of 6Harmonics in anticipation of the Super WiFi event, taking place with ITEXPO (News - Alert) East 2012 this week in Miami Beach. When asked where we stand on the testing of White Space Solutions, Wu offered that the solutions being testing are very promising in terms of performance and cost.



Wu also identified cellular data offload, M2M, backhaul, homeland security and emergency as mass market possibilities for Super WiFi (News - Alert) demand. Asked how the use of spectrum database will impact policy for Super WiFi / TV Whitespace and future strategies, Wu noted that the database is one practical solution identified to date. He also noted that PHY and MAC both have to be properly adjusted to database protocols for Super WiFi to be effective.

When asked about the impact millennials and new users will have in the workplace and their relevance to Super WiFi, Wu noted that younger generations will carry multiple devices, be addicted to broadband Internet and consume data such as video, gaming and music. With such a data-hungry group, Super WiFi could easily meet a need. Asked why Super WiFi is a must-attend communications event and Wu noted this is the most knowledgeable group of technology, regulatory and business.

Their entire conversation follows:

1.      Where do we stand on the testing of white space solutions?

"White Space" is the beginning of another round of wireless revolution. The solutions we are testing are very promising both in performance and in cost effectiveness. Performance is very comparable with LTE (News - Alert) but costs only a small percent of what LTE does.  

2.      What are the possibilities for demand with Super WiFi? Is this a mass market or a niche market?

Cellular data offload, backhaul, M2M, homeland security, emergency... it is a massive market. 

3.      Where and how will Super WiFi be implemented?

City wide, rural area, along the high ways and railways, indoor coverage...

4.      Much of our discussion at the event is about Internet and spectrum policy.  How does the use of a spectrum database impact policy for Super WiFi / TV WhiteSpace and future strategies?

Database is one practical solution identified so far. Super WiFi is not just WiFi that has a larger coverage. Both PHY and MAC have to be properly adjusted to adapt to database protocols. Similarly, database providers have to understand how PHY and MAC work to develop the database architecture and information provision schemes and schedules properly. 

5.      Often our lessons are generational based on our kids and the millennials now entering the work force.  What is the impact of these new users and what is their relevance to Super WiFi?

Our young generations will pocket multiple devices, will be addicted to broadband Internet and consume data such as video, gaming and music. Therefore, Super WiFi might be the practical and cost-effective solution to offload the cellular data and serve that data hungry group. 

6.      Why is Super WiFi Summit a must-attend communications event?

This is the most knowledgeable group of technology, regulatory and businesspeople. 

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO East 2012, happening NOW in Miami, FL. ITEXPO offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO registration click here.

Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO. Follow us on Twitter.


Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Rich Steeves
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