Wi-Fi HaLow: Addressing Smart City Connectivity and Cybersecurity Issues

Wireless communication is in the limelight in supporting effortless data transfer at current time. Prior to that conventional Wi-Fi was used extensively for high-speed internet, it is bounded with limited range and power usage, rendering it inappropriate for global-scale IoT applications. It is here that Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) becomes important. It is designed to operate in the sub-1 GHz band, it gives long-range connectivity, improved probing through obstacles, and reduced power consumption making it a perfect solution for smart cities, industrial IoT, and large-scale sensor networks.

In this blog, Wi-Fi HaLow, its unique differences with conventional Wi-Fi, actual applications in smart cities, probable cybersecurity threats, and best practices for securing the networks are discussed.

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What is Wi-Fi HaLow? 

Wi-Fi HaLow is designed to overcome the range, power efficiency, and scalability limitations of Wi-Fi to support a large number of connected devices. Wi-Fi runs on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz bands, Wi-Fi Halow runs on the sub-1 GHz frequency band, which makes it travel much longer distances by using less power. 

Key features of Wi-Fi HaLow: 

Extended Range: It can provide wireless communication for up to 1 km which makes it suitable for IoT applications. 

Lower Power Consumption: Designed for battery-operated IoT devices with longer lifespan. 

Stronger Penetration: Penetrate well through walls, buildings, and heavy materials. 

Higher Device Capacity: It can support thousands of devices within a single access point, which makes it scalable. 

These characteristics make Wi-Fi HaLow a strong competitor for Wi-Fi, particularly for IoT and industrial uses.

Difference Between Wi-Fi HaLow & Wi-Fi 

Wi-Fi HaLow and Wi-Fi have similarities in technology, their application and performance differ significantly. 

Feature	Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah)	Wi-Fi (802.11ac/ax)
Frequency Band	Sub-1 GHz (900 MHz)	2.4 GHz / 5 GHz / 6 GHz
Range	Up to 1 km	~100-300 meters
Power Consumption	Low (ideal for IoT)	High
Speed	Up to 347 Mbps	Up to 9.6 Gbps
Penetration	Strong (through walls)	Weaker penetration
Applications	IoT, smart cities, industrial automation	High-speed internet, video streaming, general consumer use

In traditional Wi-Fi, which is used for high-speed data transfer, but Wi-Fi HaLow focuses on long-range, low-power communication, making it ideal for IoT devices, sensor networks, and industrial systems.

Wi-Fi Halow Application: Smart Cities 

One of the main infrastructural enablers for smart cities is Wi-Fi HaLow, providing effective long-range connection for a multitude of uses: 

Traffic Management: Smart traffic lights and sensors talk to each other regularly to manage traffic effectively. 

Surveillance Systems: Wi-Fi HaLow is used by security cameras based on Artificial Intelligence to send data back efficiently without constant battery replacement.  

Environmental Monitoring: IoT sensors monitor air quality, temperature, and humidity throughout the city. 

Smart Parking Systems: Wireless IoT sensors identify vacant parking spaces and feed information to apps for real-time updates. 

With its long range, power savings, and scalability, it helps smart city functions by minimizing infrastructure expenses and providing real-time, seamless communication.

Cybersecurity Threats in Smart Cities

It has many advantages, but its mass usage in smart cities and IoT networks also poses cybersecurity threats. Some of the threats are: 

Unauthorized Access: Unsecured IoT devices can be used by hackers to reap network access. 

Data Interception: If data has not encrypted properly hackers can be able to tamper with the network and alter the content. 

Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: Networks can be overwhelmed by attackers, causing failures in city operations. 

Device Hijacking: IoT devices that are insecurely configured can be hijacked by cybercriminals, causing system crashes. 

To counter these risks, the adoption of strong encryption protocols, device authentication mechanisms, and ongoing monitoring is necessary.

Securing Smart Cities with Wi-Fi HaLow Networks 

To provide secure and dependable Wi-Fi HaLow networks, city planners and businesses need to implement best security practices: 

End-to-End Encryption: Utilizing WPA3 encryption safeguards sensitive information in their networks. 

Device Authentication: Utilizing certificate-based authentication bars unauthorized access. 

Firmware Updates: Periodic ROTA (Regami Over-the-Air) updates keep IoT devices safe from emerging cyber threats, lowering the necessity for manual interventions. 

Network Segmentation: Isolating critical and non-critical devices reduces potential cyberattack effects. 

By making security a top priority, it can be a secure and efficient solution for IoT applications, industrial automation, and smart city ecosystems.

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Wi-Fi HaLow: The Future of Smart Connectivity 

The escalation for long-range wireless connections and expansion of low-power wireless connectivity makes Wi-Fi HaLow as unavoidable for IoT, industrial automation, and smart cities. 

With its longer range, power efficiency, and scalability, it offers an alternative to traditional Wi-Fi for large-scale, device-rich environments. But as Emerging Technologies such as AI and blockchain become closer with Wi-Fi HaLow, having strong security measures in place will be essential to protect networks from cyber-attacks and ensuring smooth, reliable connectivity.