In a few months the wireless capabilities of mobile devices and computers will get a huge boost when a range of products featuring WiGig – which can transfer data more than 10 times faster than Wifi – hit the market. In addition to this, ground works are being laid into the establishment of 5G mobile networks that could support high demand uses such as holographic video.
WiGig uses a 60 gigahertz radio frequency to transfer data at up to seven Gbit/s which could allow displays, projectors and other products within an AV deployment to integrate wirelessly. Google, for instance, have investigated using WiGig as a way to replace some wiring in its data centres. On the plus side, as it is directional and harnessing unused airwaves, WiGig suffers less interference than Wifi. However, for the most part devices connected through WiGig will have to be in the same room as the technology does not work well though walls and ceilings.
WiGig technology has been around for several years but this year will spell a more widespread usage with several products featuring the technology due to hit the market. Qualcomm, the maker of mobile device processors, has included 60 gigahertz capability in its 64-bit Snapdragon 810 chip. Devices using this chip will be going to market in several months, with the expected ability to wirelessly transmit multi-gigabit 4K video direct to screens. The company claim this will enable peer-to-peer content sharing, networking, wireless locking, and backing up entire media libraries in seconds.
In the UK, foundations are being laid for the provision of 5G mobile networks with speeds of up to 50 Gbit/s – compared to 4G networks with an upper limit of 100 Mbit/s that are currently being rolled out across the country. British regulator Ofcom has said 5G could mean major breakthroughs in holographic and video technology. It is estimated that this network could be up and running within the next five years.