Extended-range Wi‑Fi offers another option for these environments.
Wi‑Fi HaLow, based on IEEE 802.11ah, has matured over recent years and gained greater visibility in 2026.
How does Wi‑Fi HaLow differ?
Wi‑Fi HaLow operates below 1 GHz. In Russia, this means the licensed 868–868.6 MHz and 868.7–869.2 MHz bands, requiring radio equipment registration with the State Commission for Radio Frequencies (GKRCh). Conventional Wi‑Fi, by comparison, uses 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. Moving to a lower frequency gives HaLow two fundamental advantages: range and penetration.
Wi‑Fi HaLow can maintain connections over up to 1 km in typical conditions and up to 3 km in open areas. Signals around 900 MHz penetrate concrete, metal structures, earth embankments, and tree canopies more effectively, while power use can be comparable to or below LPWAN technologies.
Numbers that are impressive
According to the analytical agency ABI Research, Wi‑Fi HaLow technology entered the six main trends of the global wireless market in 2026. The forecast is impressive: the average annual growth rate of shipments of devices with support for Wi‑Fi HaLow (CAGR) in the period 2025-2030 will be 45% – the highest rate among all wireless technologies.
At the same time:
- Global shipments of Wi‑Fi HaLow devices will grow from 19 million in 2025 to 124 million in 2030.
- According to the results of 2024, the global market of Wi‑Fi HaLow modules was estimated at $1.24 billion, and by 2031 it will almost reach $1.9 billion (CAGR 6.2%).
- Analysts predict that by 2029 more than 1 billion devices with support for Wi‑Fi HaLow will be used in the world.
Where do you need it right now?
HaLow complements conventional Wi‑Fi in locations where its range or propagation is insufficient.
Here are a few scenarios where HaLow already solves tasks that used to require expensive cabling or complex LPWAN solutions.
Industrial sites and open-pit mines. Mining operations need connectivity throughout their sites for equipment condition sensors, dust and gas monitoring, and vehicle positioning. Conventional Wi‑Fi often falls short because of distances, terrain and steel structures. A single Wi‑Fi HaLow access point covers large areas, penetrates obstacles and connects up to 8,000 devices per base station.
Warehouses and distribution centers. Racks 10–15 meters high create difficult RF conditions. Dropped handheld terminal connections disrupt WMS visibility. HaLow’s propagation can improve coverage, while mesh support under 802.11s can extend the network.
Video surveillance in large areas. At ISC West 2026 (March 25, 2026), Xthings introduced the first Wi‑Fi HaLow surveillance cameras with a range of up to 1 km from a single gateway. The cameras work on built-in AI, do not require cable laying and are connected to free cloud storage. “Every integrator knows this conversation: a client needs cameras on a distant fence or a detached warehouse, and the project stalls because the cost of laying the cable does not pay off. HaLow removes this barrier completely,” said Raj Sundar, senior director of product management at Xthings.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Agriculture (field and greenhouse monitoring), energy (remote meter collection), oil and gas (pipeline and track sensors) – in all these scenarios, HaLow offers a capacity of tens of Mbps (up to 43 Mbps in real-world conditions), which is enough for most tasks, while consuming little energy and allowing devices to run on batteries for years.
What is new in 2026?
Routers and access points. At CES 2026, Morse Micro announced HaLowLink 2 with a coverage range of up to 1 km, support for up to 1,000 IoT devices, and throughput up to 43 Mbps, priced at $130.
Modules and ecosystem. Vantron, Morse Micro, Gateworks, and AsiaRF presented compact low-power modules at CES 2026. The Morse Micro Approved™ Module Partner Program aims to accelerate device development.
Certification. In March 2026, Wi‑Fi Alliance announced new stages of Wi‑Fi CERTIFIED HaLow™ certification, including support for frequency bands in Japan (850 MHz), the EU and the USA (Sub-1 GHz). This shortens the certification process for new devices and broadens their geographical applicability.
What about compatibility?
HaLow uses IP networking and familiar management components such as controllers and RADIUS servers, with support for WPA3 security. It gives network teams an additional tool for extended-range connectivity.
How close is widespread adoption?
The technology is already available:
- Routers, modules, surveillance cameras, and IoT sensors;
- Wi‑Fi Alliance equipment certification;
- An ecosystem including Morse Micro, Newracom, Synaptics, and OEM partners;
- Applications in industry, logistics, agriculture, and surveillance.
HaLow complements Wi‑Fi 6, 7, and 8 by addressing connectivity that would otherwise be costly, complex, or impractical.
Connectum follows the technology as a potential addition to its industrial, logistics, and commercial property solutions where it meets site requirements.