By Claus Hetting, WiFi NOW CEO & Chairman
What can we expect from Wi-Fi HaLow in 2026? Last week someone asked me how I would describe Wi-Fi HaLow (the truth is that many are still confused about its role in the IoT ecosystem) and the answer is simple: It is the no-brainer, low-cost Wi-Fi technology that you should be using to connect any device that needs up to a few tens of Mbps of speed within a range of a mile or less. We think this will become increasingly obvious in 2026 – and we’re doing everything we can to support it. Enjoy the report! /Claus Hetting.
Two exceptional new WiFi NOW Partners: Gateworks USA & AsiaRF
We’re excited to announce that San Luis Obispo-based Gateworks and Taiwan’s AsiaRF have joined us as WiFi HaLow partners. They both – each in their own way – represent a new breed of wireless innovators using Wi-Fi HaLow to push the envelope of what is possible in wireless communications.
Gateworks is leading the pack by enabling long-range wireless communications for industry including for example robotics and smart energy with a new breed of Wi-Fi HaLow modules released at CES while AsiaRF probably has the world’s most diverse and flexible portfolio of low-cost Wi-Fi HaLow devices for enterprise, governments, agriculture, and more. Don’t miss our feature story on Gateworks here and our presentation of Paul Lai’s AsiaRF here.
Wi-Fi HaLow goes mainstream with Edgecore & Synaptics @CES 2026
One of the most interesting Wi-Fi HaLow announcements at CES this year was wireless IoT chipset leader Synaptics (now a WiFi NOW partner) teaming up with long-time HaLow proponent Edgecore to showcase a new platform by Edgecore called the AIoT Edge Hub. The new solution employs Synaptics’ Edge AI and wireless connectivity chips to form an ‘intelligent IoT orchestration layer’ between Cloud services (provided by AWS) and edge devices, the Edgecore says in this press release.
What’s interesting here is that the platform supports the full gamut of wireless connectivity options including Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, Bluetooth – and Wi-Fi HaLow using Morse Micro’s latest chip, the MM8108. We take that as a strong indicator that HaLow is now increasingly viewed as part of the mainstream wireless IoT portfolio and important for delivering connectivity for AIoT at the Edge.
Morse Micro launches global module partner program
Modules are a critical component of the Wi-Fi HaLow ecosystem allowing device vendors to quickly design and market new HaLow products – and now Morse Micro is launching the Morse Micro Approved™ Module Partner Program. The idea is to introduce quality benchmarks and closer cooperation with module makers, accelerating adoption and ecosystem expansion, Morse Micro says. The first to be approved partners are AzureWave and Vantron. Read more about the new initiative here.
Wi-Fi HaLow Global Summit returns to Mount View, CA this April 13
It’s important for the future of IoT connectivity to bring together the entire Wi-Fi HaLow community at least once a year – and that’s why we’re once again conducting our Wi-Fi HaLow Global Summit at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, this April 13. As always the congress will be packed with great speakers, demonstrations, and excellent networking opportunities. For the first time we will also be offering a half-day hands-on technical design workshop offered by Morse Micro. Both the congress and training are exceptional opportunities to learn and connect with the top Wi-Fi HaLow experts. Don’t miss it – tickets available here and program evolving here.
CES 2026: Two new Wi-Fi HaLow long-range wireless security camera solutions
Long-range wireless security cameras is one of the most important Wi-Fi HaLow device segments and at CES, China’s Puwell Technology Inc. and Morse Micro demonstrated a record-breaking 3.5 kilometres of wireless range using Puwell’s Milecast+™ proprietary transmission technology (including a base station) and Morse Micro’s MM6108 SoC. Read more about the record-breaking demonstration here. Another remarkable new HaLow product released at CES was Changhong Group’s wireless and battery-powered camera featuring up to one kilometer of range, also powered by Morse Micro’s SoC.
CES 2026: Morse Micro releases HaLowLink™ 2
One of the easiest and least costly ways of trying out Wi-Fi HaLow while accumulating som real experience is by acquiring a Wi-Fi HaLow AP – and perhaps the best reference solution on the market today is the Morse Micro HaLowLink™ 2. The HaLowLink™ 2 – available for the ridiculously low price of US$129 here – was released at CES this year and can be used as a HaLow router, AP, or extender (meaning long-range backhaul for conventional Wi-Fi 4 networks). The device is Wi-Fi Alliance certified and here is perhaps its most important feature: Because it uses the MM8108 chip supporting sub-GHz spectrum regulations across the world, the HaLowLink 2 is certified for us in the US, EU, Japan, and Australia.
Morse Micro wins sixth consecutive WiFi NOW Award
Wi-Fi HaLow chipset leader Morse Micro won its sixth consecutive Best Wi-Fi IoT Solution Award at the tenth edition of the WiFi NOW Awards, which concluded in December. The award was won for Morse Micro’s latest Wi-Fi HaLow SoC, the MM8108. For more also read here and watch the replay of our award show here. Big congratulations to Morse Micro on the win – as always, very well deserved.
Omdia forecast 30 million Wi-Fi HaLow shipments by 2030
Omdia’s Andrew Brown – Practice Lead for IoT – forecasts that Wi-Fi HaLow shipments will reach 30 million by 2030, a number that closely resembles forecasts of other analysts in the wireless IoT space. The statement came at our bi-annual Wi-Fi HaLow Industry Update webinar on October 23 (access the webinar on demand here). “The HaLow opportunity is significant. It addresses a market gap and benefits from Wi-Fi certification and therefore standardisation. There is a good fit for the next generation of IoT connectivity that incorporates hybrid networks, AIoT and the growing edge footprint. It also benefits from no carrier fees,” Andrew Brown said during the webinar.
Miss our Wi-Fi HaLow industry update webinar? Watch it here
Probably the most informative webinar on Wi-Fi HaLow ever featuring analyst Andrew Brown of Omdia, Andy MacFarlane of Morse Micro, Paul Lai of AsiaRF, and Kelly Peralta of Gateworks. Watch it on demand here.
Vantron releases an impressive six new industrial Wi-Fi HaLow products
China’s Vantron has released six new Wi-Fi HaLow-based products (all based on Morse Micro SoCs) including three new modules and three industrial devices. The VT-SOM-AH-8108 module is designed for easy integration into legacy designs while the VT-SOM-AH-8108-M2 module includes an integrated RF front end and “provides a plug-and-play upgrade path for system designers to quickly transition from proprietary RF solutions to a standardized Wi-Fi HaLow connection,” Vantron says.
The company has also released an industrial grade dual-standard Wi-Fi HaLow / Wi-Fi 6 router dubbed RAH305 as well as an industrial-grade IP camera powered by Wi-Fi HaLow. Finally, the company now offers a ruggedised industrial Wi-Fi HaLow client or bridge (or mesh unit) called VT-BR101-R. For all the details see this news item from Vantron. Also see this excellent paper on how Wi-Fi HaLow is poised to transform wireless IoT for retail.
Catalysts for market adoption
Modules and development kits are critical catalysts for the accelerated adoption of Wi-Fi HaLow as are USB dongles. Dongles from Vantron or AsiaRF means that anyone can now retrofit their (regular) Wi-Fi network or client device with Wi-Fi HaLow technology, even if it is only initially to explore and familiarise themselves with the new technology. Also read this excellent blog on the subject by Morse Micro CEO Michael De Nil. If you simply want to test Wi-Fi HaLow capabilities without necessarily having to build anything then we also recommend Morse Micro’s HaLowLink 2 (see above).
AsiaRF expands Wi-Fi HaLow product portfolio
Finally: If you’re looking for low-cost and highly adaptable Wi-Fi HaLow equipment then AsiaRF is a front runner among vendors of HaLow APs and client devices. AsiaRF released a new Wi-Fi HaLow dongle in September. Meanwhile the company at this time probably offers the largest selection of HaLow equipment of any vendor – have a look here.
With thanks to our Wi-Fi HaLow partners:
/Claus.
