Today, June 20, we celebrate World Wi-Fi Day, a day promoted since 2016 by the Wireless Broadband Alliance to recognize the central role this technology has played in driving inclusive policies and fostering projects that bring wireless connectivity to disadvantaged communities. From our homes to classrooms, hospitals, industries and public spaces, Wi-Fi has been a driver of change, a tool for access and a gateway to information and progress.
This day is also an opportunity to highlight what remains to be done: although more than half of the world’s population is connected, more than 4 billion people still lack internet access and, in developing countries, 80% of households lack home connectivity [1]. During the pandemic, when Wi-Fi became essential for education and remote work, 75% of rural students were disconnected [1]. These figures show that connectivity is still a privilege in many areas of the world and that Wi-Fi remains a key part of bridging this gap.
Therefore, talking about Wi-Fi also implies asking how this technology will evolve to meet new demands: more connected devices, more energy efficiency, more security and more range. In other words, more and better connectivity for everyone. This is what Wi-Fi HaLow advocates.
Wi-Fi HaLow: a new generation of Wi-Fi
As connectivity demands grow, especially with the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), traditional Wi-Fi networks are becoming insufficient. The Wi-Fi we use every day has been optimized for speed and coverage of PCs, mobiles and tablets indoors, but it was not designed for volume and for the variety of devices that characterize the IoT and its needs. From agricultural sensors, industrial security cameras and portable medical devices to automation systems, they require more than just a good connection: stability, efficiency, scalability, low power consumption and long range.
In response to these challenges, Wi-Fi HaLow was born, based on the IEEE 802.11ah standard. This technology uses the sub-GHz spectrum, which allows it to cover much greater distances and better penetrate walls and obstacles. To date, distances of 16 km have been achieved in the US [2].
Its bandwidth, which can reach 86 Mbps, makes it the ideal choice for a wide range of real-time applications [3]. Crucially, however, it achieves this performance with optimized power consumption. By enabling devices to send data quickly and return to sleep, it significantly improves battery life, even when compared to technologies designed specifically for low power.
In addition, Wi-Fi HaLow enables up to 8,191 devices to be connected per access point, facilitating mass deployments in urban, industrial or rural environments [4]. As part of the Wi-Fi ecosystem, it maintains compatibility with IP networks, WPA3 security, and an architecture that favors interoperability.
Real connectivity for the rise of IoT
The growth of IoT is already a palpable reality. Millions of connected devices operate in city management systems, industrial processes, healthcare environments, agricultural networks, or energy infrastructures. Each one needs a reliable, secure, long-range, low-power network.
In this sense, Wi-Fi HaLow represents a unique solution. It combines the best of the Wi-Fi ecosystem with the technical features demanded by new IoT applications. And the market knows it: according to a report by ABI Research, it is estimated that by 2029 there will be more than 100 million Wi-Fi HaLow devices deployed globally [3]. This rapid adoption responds to the need for technology that is scalable, efficient, and open.
Compared to alternatives that prioritize energy savings but sacrifice bandwidth, such as LoRaWAN, or those that offer speed but have limitations in coverage or autonomy, Wi-Fi HaLow achieves a great balance. Its interoperability, direct integration with the Internet and support for OTA updates position it as a key tool for large-scale IoT deployment.
MYNA: Wi-Fi HaLow made reality
At TEKHNĒ we not only see the future of connectivity, we are actively working to build it. With this commitment as our banner, MYNA, our Wi-Fi HaLow module, was born, developed to make all these possibilities a reality in environments requiring high penetration.
MYNA is not just a module: it is a gateway to the Wi-Fi of the future, being internationally the only all-in-one HaLow Wi-Fi module. Its compact design includes integrated tunable antenna, embedded microcontroller, IP compatibility, high speed and energy efficiency. It is an efficient and powerful module that integrates all the functionality of HaLow Wi-Fi, ready to be incorporated into IoT devices, prototypes and solutions that require range, autonomy, and reliability.
This module is particularly suited to development, engineering and innovation teams that need to connect sensors, cameras, meters or controllers in places where conventional technologies do not reach or do not work well. Among them, we can mention demanding applications such as connecting factories with intelligent actuators in Industry 4.0, optimizing consumption within the Smart Grid in the energy sector or controlling lighting and parking in smart cities.
It connects directly to servers, cloud platforms or internal systems, and does so with the robustness of WPA3 encryption and the flexibility of an open standard, without the need for proprietary gateways. This simplifies both development and maintenance and offers a scalable solution for large projects.
If you are thinking of developing a connected solution that needs autonomy, reach, and security, MYNA is your ideal ally. Learn more about the module here: MYNA Wi-Fi HaLow Module – TEKHNĒ
Conclusion
This World Wi-Fi Day is not only a celebration of what this technology has achieved, but also an invitation to imagine what is yet to come. Wi-Fi has evolved and, today more than ever, it can be the basis for economic, social, and educational development.
With innovations such as Wi-Fi HaLow and solutions such as MYNA, a new horizon is opening up for IoT: more accessible, more robust and ready to meet today’s challenges. This evolution presents the opportunity to build a world where information and opportunities are available to everyone.
At TEKHNĒ, we remain committed to open, sustainable and people-centric technologies.
REFERENCES:
[1] World Wi-Fi Day – Wireless Broadband Alliance
[2] Wi-Fi HaLow delivers throughput at 16km range
