Wi-Fi Alliance Fears "Super Wi-Fi" Moniker Will Lead to Customer Confusion
Abbot confused the tar out of Costello when he tried to explain Who's on first, and while the ambiguity surrounding the 'Super Wi-Fi' moniker isn't on the same level of stupid hilarity, the Wi-Fi Alliance nonetheless feels consumers will end up equally confused. Super Wi-Fi, after all, isn't Wi-Fi at all, it's unlicensed spectrum known as Television White Spaces to expand connectivity.
"The Wi-Fi Alliance supports efforts to use the unlicensed spectrum known as Television White Spaces to expand connectivity. However, there is currently no Wi-Fi technology that operates in this spectrum," said Wi-Fi Alliance Marketing Director Kelly Davis-Felner. "It is important that users not be misled into confusing any such technology with Wi-Fi."
Abbott and Costello performing the classic "Who's on First," which might be only slightly more confusing than explaining that Super Wi-Fi isn't Wi-Fi.
There are some important distinctions to note. For starters, so-called Super Wi-Fi doesn't interoperate with the billions of Wi-Fi devices in use today. It also doesn't deliver the same user experience -- it's much slower, albeit better at penetrating objects and traveling greater distances.
With all the media attention surrounding North Carolina's rollout of the first commercial Super Wi-Fi network, the Wi-Fi alliance wants to be sure people know the difference and make it clear that it "discourages the use of Wi-Fi in a manner that could confuse consumers." Duly noted.
"The Wi-Fi Alliance supports efforts to use the unlicensed spectrum known as Television White Spaces to expand connectivity. However, there is currently no Wi-Fi technology that operates in this spectrum," said Wi-Fi Alliance Marketing Director Kelly Davis-Felner. "It is important that users not be misled into confusing any such technology with Wi-Fi."
Abbott and Costello performing the classic "Who's on First," which might be only slightly more confusing than explaining that Super Wi-Fi isn't Wi-Fi.
There are some important distinctions to note. For starters, so-called Super Wi-Fi doesn't interoperate with the billions of Wi-Fi devices in use today. It also doesn't deliver the same user experience -- it's much slower, albeit better at penetrating objects and traveling greater distances.
With all the media attention surrounding North Carolina's rollout of the first commercial Super Wi-Fi network, the Wi-Fi alliance wants to be sure people know the difference and make it clear that it "discourages the use of Wi-Fi in a manner that could confuse consumers." Duly noted.
