'Super Wi-Fi' currently being tested

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A new wireless-broadband technology, which could be faster and have a longer reach than Wi-Fi networks, could be rolled out here in the near future.

Nicknamed "Super Wi-Fi", it is being tested in three projects: Singapore Island Country Club, the National University of Singapore's University Town and in the waters off Changi.

Super Wi-Fi works by turning over unused television-broadcast frequency bands - known as TV white spaces - for wireless-broadband use.

It has been tested to reach distances of up to 8km, according to Britain-based tech firm Nuel, a member of the Singapore White Spaces Pilot Group that is leading the trials.

This trumps Wi-Fi's reach of only a few hundred metres.

Super Wi-Fi is also able to penetrate more obstacles, like dense vegetation and buildings, and send data more effectively over bodies of water.

This can translate in better coverage, lower power consumption and reduced network costs, the pilot group said at a media briefing yesterday.

Super Wi-Fi could also hit access speeds of 16Mbps or more. This is faster than the 1Mbps access speeds on the free- public wireless network, Wireless@SG.

The pilot group, comprising nine members, was formed in April by Microsoft, StarHub and A*Star's Institute of Infocomm Research (I2R).

With a longer range and lower network costs, Super Wi-Fi could be used to complement or take over Wireless@SG, once the technology matures, said Dr Tan Geok Leng, I2R's acting executive director.

An Infocomm Development Authority spokesman said it is open to the possibility of using TV white spaces as part of Wireless@SG in the future.