WhiteFI--WiFi Using Whitespaces

Microsoft is one of the players using the whitespaces to deliver wireless access. They call it WhiteFI which is similar to WiFI but has several differences. For one it uses an adaptive spectrum assignment algorithm to handle spectrum variation. They launched the KNOWS initiative which stands for Networking over White Spaces to resolve the fundamental networking issues related to setting up base stations and forming networks. They have gone from concept to deployed system on the Microsoft campus last October. You can see more details about the project here. Microsoft has even submitted an FCC license request to take WhiteFI into the field for further experimentation. They are working with Harvard on the research. You can see their paper here.

WhiteFI has a good deal of support behind it as it promises to spur innovation to the tune of $15B/year. One example of innovation is how it will bring wireless connectivity to ever smaller nodes in further distances. For example, irrigation systems could leverage WhiteFI for wireless connectivity.


Best regards,

Hall T.