Wi-Fi HaLow Emerges as a Powerful Alternative to LoRaWAN

As the number of connected devices across Europe skyrockets, Think WIoT—Europe’s leading platform for Wireless IoT—spotlights a pivotal shift in the IoT landscape: Wi-Fi HaLow is quickly outpacing LoRaWAN as the wireless standard of choice for long-range, low-power, and high-capacity IoT deployments.

By 2030, the number of IoT devices worldwide is expected to exceed 29 billion, with some estimates placing the figure closer to 129 billion. Regardless of the exact number, one thing is certain: IoT is growing fast—and so are the expectations for wireless networks that can deliver more range, more security, and more data, all with less power.

Both Wi-Fi HaLow and LoRaWAN use the unlicensed sub-1-GHz band, ranging from 850 to 950 MHz.

First released in 2015, LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN) protocol that served an early wave of IoT deployments—mostly simple sensor devices sending very small data packets. With data rates ranging from 0.3 to 50 kbps, and relying on an inefficient Aloha MAC protocol, LoRaWAN is beginning to show limitations:

• Insufficient for OTA (over-the-air) firmware updates
• Challenged by dense environments and interference
• Limited scalability—typically supports <150 devices per gateway
• Potential security risks from key mismanagement and inconsistent external auditing across LoRaWAN deployments

Though LoRaWAN remains useful for certain low-throughput rural scenarios, it's increasingly unsuitable for modern IoT demands in Europe—especially where security, reliability, and bandwidth are non-negotiable.

Developed under the IEEE 802.11ah standard and championed by the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi HaLow was purpose-built for IoT. It combines Wi-Fi-grade security, kilometer-scale range, IP-native communication, and excellent power efficiency, making it uniquely suited to Europe’s growing smart infrastructure. 

Wi-Fi HaLow offers flexible data rates ideal for diverse IoT needs. A single spatial stream operating on a 1 MHz channel supports data rates from 150 kbps (MCS10, BPSK) up to 4.4 Mbps (MCS9, 256-QAM). On an 8 MHz channel, throughput can scale up to 43 Mbps—sufficient for video, OTA updates, and dense sensor networks. 

This far exceeds LoRaWAN’s typical 0.3–50 kbps range, which is best suited for low-frequency, small-payload transmissions. 

Wi-Fi HaLow is not a theory—it’s real, field-tested, and already scaling:

• Morse Micro’s MM8102: A Europe-optimized SoC with 8.7 Mbps throughput and regulatory compliance
• 16 km Range Test: Real-world testing in Joshua Tree National Park shows 2 Mbps video throughput at 10 miles using off-the-shelf hardware
• CE & FCC Certified Modules: Quectel + Morse Micro bring HaLow to European device makers
• Smart City Trials: From Switzerland (ZHAW) to Spain and the Netherlands, HaLow is in field evaluation stages

Unlike LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi HaLow inherits the full security stack of mainstream Wi-Fi:

• WPA3 authentication with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE)
• AES encryption over IP
• Support for secure OTA firmware upgrades
• Third-party audited protocols under the Wi-Fi Alliance

This security level is critical for compliance with the EU Cybersecurity Act and upcoming digital trust frameworks under the EU Data Act.

Wi-Fi HaLow delivers higher energy efficiency per bit than LoRaWAN, making it more sustainable at scale. It supports smart buildings, agritech, logistics, and remote asset monitoring—without the need for external gateways or proprietary stacks.