Microsoft partners D-link to deliver ‘Super Wi-Fi’ to remote areas

Tech behemoths - Facebook and Google - have already launched initiatives to deliver Internet to the rural and remote regions of the world. The latest tech company to join the bandwagon is Microsoft.

The Redmond-based software company has partnered with Taiwanese network equipment manufacturer D-Link to deliver ‘Super Wi-Fi’ to far-flung areas across the world.

With this partnership, Microsoft aims to address the global gap in digital technology across urban and rural areas and is also laying a solid foundation for scaling these network systems in remote and non-broadband wireless coverage areas.

The project will be leveraging the unused bandwidth in the lower-frequency broadband spectrum of white space to improve the quality, penetration, and coverage of existing Wi-Fi transmission.

Paul Garnett, director of Affordable Access Initiatives at Microsoft said, "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 affordable get online."

Instead of working in the fastest commercially available Wi-Fi standard, 802.11ad or WiGig, Microsoft is exploring the future of “802.11af” wireless technology standards, which operates at frequencies higher than the currently used wireless technologies.

"D-Link is proud to be part of the Microsoft Super Wi-Fi program and will continue to build on the spirit of “Building Networks for People” in the future with Microsoft. The future generations D-Link will also make use of its Netcom professional and global base resources to help the Super Wi-Fi technology platform continue to thrive in the future, D-Link will also make use of its own professional and global base resources," said Dave Link, chairman of D-Link.

Reportedly, Microsoft has already initiated a pilot program in an unspecified state in the U.S. Furthermore, the company plans to implement the same program in three other countries in the coming months.