The unusual ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless technology is being developed by Nethercomm, a company based in the United States. This technology aims to achieve transmission speeds of 100 Mb/s, exceeding the requirements for high-speed internet connectivity along with voice and video services.
Nethercomm employs “nodes” to transmit and receive ultra-wideband radio signals, enabling wireless communication through gas pipelines while simultaneously transporting gas. If successful, this innovation could significantly impact the broadband market. Many companies have faced barriers due to the DSL classification set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which restricts independent service providers from using existing cable or telephone lines to reach broadband customers.
Gas pipelines could serve as an effective solution, as this infrastructure connects over 70% of households and more than 35% of businesses in the U.S. The cost of transmission could also be lower, with an estimated installation investment of about $500 per customer. In contrast, the investment for DSL over electrical lines is around $1,000 per customer, and connecting cables to individual homes can cost up to $2,000 initially.
Mobile and wireless technology analyst Craig Mathias commented, “Theoretically, this is feasible.” However, he expressed uncertainty about the effectiveness of wireless signal transmission through gas pipes.
EarthLink is also interested in this concept. “We are still assessing the feasibility of the technology. The gas lines connect to many households, and this is quite exciting,” stated Kevin Brand, the company’s vice president.
UWB is being implemented to enhance communication technology with high data transfer speeds and the potential to “overwhelm” other wireless signals. To date, UWB data transmission in underground pipelines has been reliable, suggesting that it could be effectively utilized in gas pipelines.
Several solutions have been tested, such as EarthLink’s UWB over power line technology and BellSouth’s WiMax, but both have limitations. Wi-Fi and WiMax networks do not provide the necessary bandwidth to support high-capacity applications like HD broadcasting, achieving speeds of only 75 Mb/s. BellSouth’s service can only deliver speeds of 1.5 Mb/s.
Thùy Hương (according to CNet)