D-Link and Microsoft to bring "Super Wi-Fi" to developing regions

D-Link will be partnering with Microsoft in a landmark project aiming to deliver the next generation of Wi-Fi, known as "Super Wi-Fi", to rural communities across the globe, announced D-Link Chairman John Hsuan as part of D-Link’s future strategy during a press conference held at the company’s Taipei headquarters.

By aiming to tackle some of the world's greatest technology gaps, and laying down a future network in currently underdeveloped areas, the Microsoft-led mission would give communities a foundation for an enriched digital future. 

A first-phase pilot is commencing in a US state, with a further three potential countries for future stages, and is the culmination of years of research and development already invested by Microsoft and partners.

“Microsoft was founded on the idea of democratizing access to technology. Microsoft’s current mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. For that reason, Microsoft is working with public- and private-sector partners around the world to develop technologies and business models that will make it easier for billions more people to affordably get online. In furtherance of these goals, Microsoft is excited to be working with D-Link on developing Super Wi-Fi technologies and an ecosystem leveraging lower-frequency TV white spaces,” said Paul Garnett, Director of Affordable Access Initiatives, Microsoft.

Currently, the fastest commercial Wi-Fi standards are based on the 802.11ac prototype, with “11ad” announced by some manufacturers. Super Wi-Fi is set to be based on “11af”, representing a protocol with a huge leap in range.

The Super Wi-Fi campaign aims to exploit unused bandwidth in the lower-frequency white spaces between television channel frequencies, where signal travels further than at higher frequencies.