2 days Ago
Michael De Nil is the CEO and cofounder at Morse Micro —reinventing Wi-Fi for IoT. getty The vision of a truly connected smart home—secure, seamless and sustainable—is rapidly approaching reality. According to an IDC report , the global market will grow from 892.
3 million smart home devices in 2024 to an estimated 1.1 billion units by 2028. Emerging markets, the plethora of AI-powered edge devices and smart TV refresh cycles are driving much of this growth.
Security devices such as cameras, door locks and video doorbells are also rising stars in the constellation of smart home products, contributing to about a quarter of the projected growth. The smart home concept has come a long way since the meteoric rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) some 15 years ago. What began as a fragmented ecosystem of devices tethered to proprietary platforms has evolved into a battleground for seamless integration and consumer-friendly experiences.
Consumers are no longer satisfied with connected home gadgets that operate in silos or require a patchwork of apps and hubs. Instead, they want interoperability, reliability and simplicity. To address these challenges, Matter, a universal, IP-based connectivity specification championed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), has emerged to unify smart home ecosystems and eliminate the friction of device compatibility.
Backed by leading smart home platform providers such as Amazon, Apple, Google and Samsung, Matter is redefining how connected devices interact by providing a shared language for communication. This initiative addresses some of the most persistent challenges in the smart home sector: platform fragmentation, compatibility headaches and complex installations. By offering a unified framework that natively supports Wi-Fi, Thread and Ethernet while accommodating other IoT protocols through network bridging, Matter aims to simplify the consumer experience, ensuring smart home devices work regardless of the brand or platform.
Yet, even as Matter simplifies interoperability, connectivity issues persist in today’s smart home environments. One solution to ensure the potential of Matter-enabled ecosystems is amplified is through Wi-Fi HaLow, an open wireless protocol based on the IEEE 802.11ah standard and certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Wi-Fi HaLow's public specifications have it operating in the uncrowded sub-GHz spectrum, a significant departure from traditional 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz versions of Wi-Fi. This lower frequency range enables Wi-Fi HaLow devices to maintain robust connections over long distances (potentially up to 10 miles, as proven by my company in a Wi-Fi HaLow range in Joshua Tree National Park ), making it a notable choice for sprawling residences or properties with detached structures.
For example, motion sensors monitoring a distant garage or a string of smart LED lights around the perimeter of a yard can be seamlessly connected to the home's network without additional extenders or complex configurations. In essence, Wi-Fi HaLow can enhance the goal of smart home compatibility and reliability by extending the reach of Matter-supported devices across longer distances than other smart home wireless protocols. Another key advantage of Wi-Fi HaLow in Matter ecosystems is its ability to penetrate physical barriers, including walls and floors that can impede wireless connectivity.
Traditional Wi-Fi sometimes struggles in these environments, leading to spotty performance and frustration. Wi-Fi HaLow's sub-GHz signals cut through such obstacles, ensuring that smart home devices function reliably even in challenging environments. This helps expand smart home application possibilities, enabling Matter-compatible devices to thrive in spaces previously considered connectivity dead zones.
Energy efficiency is another critical consideration in smart homes. The proliferation of battery-operated devices, such as sensors, locks and switches, demands wireless protocols that minimize power consumption without sacrificing performance. Wi-Fi HaLow's low-power operation makes it a natural fit, particularly for Matter ecosystems where multidevice setups are common.
Wi-Fi HaLow extends battery life and reduces the need for frequent replacements, supporting sustainable smart home applications and reducing maintenance burdens. Moreover, Wi-Fi HaLow aligns with Matter's emphasis on native IP support. Traditional smart home setups often rely on bridges or gateways to translate communications between devices, adding complexity, cost and potential points of failure.
Wi-Fi HaLow's IP-native architecture eliminates these intermediaries, enabling Matter devices to interact directly and securely with each other and with cloud-based platforms like Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home. The convergence of Matter and Wi-Fi HaLow signifies a turning point for smart home technology. By merging Matter's interoperable framework with Wi-Fi HaLow's long-range, low-power connectivity, the smart home industry can address two of its most significant pain points: fragmented ecosystems and the need for reliable, long-range connectivity.
This synergy gives consumers greater freedom to choose devices that suit their needs while enjoying a seamless, hassle-free experience. While Wi-Fi HaLow-capable products, such as AI-powered security cameras, video doorbells, IoT gateways and dual-mode access points, are gaining market traction, the protocol is still a newcomer in the smart home market. Currently, most smart home devices connect with conventional Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave and other established IoT protocols, making adoption of Matter with Wi-Fi HaLow a new opportunity rather to smart home connectivity problems.
Security remains a key consideration, and Wi-Fi HaLow meets industry standards by leveraging WPA3 encryption, the same security protocol used in traditional ubiquitous Wi-Fi networks. Additionally, as an IEEE 802.11ah-based standard, Wi-Fi HaLow operates in the sub-1 GHz spectrum, allowing for longer-range, more reliable IoT connections.
As adoption continues to grow, the availability of Wi-Fi HaLow-enabled devices will expand, helping to bridge the gap between smart home and industrial applications while ensuring strong security and scalability. Looking ahead, the combination of Matter and Wi-Fi HaLow could redefine the smart home landscape, shifting the focus from individual device features to the value of a unified ecosystem. With both technologies gaining momentum, the vision of a smart home that adapts effortlessly to its inhabitants and environment is closer than ever.
As this vision takes hold, consumers will no longer have to choose between convenience, reliability and compatibility. Instead, they'll enjoy a seamless convergence of all three, setting a new benchmark for smart, connected living. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.
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