There's nothing super about it. Old Wi-Fi uses 20 MHz channels and the newer versions sometimes use 40 or 80 MHz. The white space channels are 6 MHz wide, so that's roughly 1/3 the throughput.
It's true that the TV band can give longer range which is only useful in rural areas. In places with population density, longer range means that each AP covers quadratically more clients, giving each client a smaller share of the already-low throughput.
Between this and the memristor nonsense, today is a sad day for HN.
Super Wi-Fi is not really Wi-Fi because it uses a different frequency and requires specially designed equipment, but it offers some of Wi-Fi’s advantages, and more.
Uhh, no. Wifi already uses two somewhat-incompatible frequency bands and is going to add a third at 60MHz. And you always have to replace the equipment to upgrade. That's not the reason it's not wifi. It's not wifi because it communicates over its frequencies in a completely different way from wifi.
In an unlicensed spectrum range, with a much greater range than WiFi, will this have a much greater potential for signal interference? Already, the WiFi network in my apartment is very limited in range because of interference from a large number of neighboring WiFi networks.
In many densely-populated US urban areas, Wi-Fi is already completely- (often over-) occupied with contending users. This is to be expected considering the trickle of "public airwaves" which the public can currently access.
Alternative frequencies are already sorely needed. None of this stuff (and plenty of it) can happen fast enough.
If you work with a wireless company you already have a working infrastructure on an existing technology for which hardware can actually be purchased. e.g. the wireless ISP I use does bidirectional 10mbps to me over 9 miles. Maybe in the future, with channel bonding added, 802.22 would beat that.
I think where this makes sense is for a new company that wants to "bring broadband to rural america".
It's true that the TV band can give longer range which is only useful in rural areas. In places with population density, longer range means that each AP covers quadratically more clients, giving each client a smaller share of the already-low throughput.
Between this and the memristor nonsense, today is a sad day for HN.