New Samsung technology promises faster Wi-Fi speeds

SEOUL — Samsung Electronics said it had developed a Wi-Fi technology that could increase data transmission speeds by five times the maximum rate possible with existing consumer electronic devices.

The 60GHz Wi-Fi technology will enable a 1 gigabyte movie to be transferred between devices in less than three seconds, while allowing uncompressed high-definition videos to be streamed in real time, the South Korea-based firm said in a statement yesterday. The technology removes the gap between theoretical and actual speeds, and exhibits actual speeds more than 10 times faster than with existing Wi-Fi technology, it said.

“Samsung has successfully overcome the barriers to the commercialisation (of the 60GHz Wi-Fi technology),”said Mr Kim Chang-yong, head of a Samsung research and development centre. “New and innovative changes await Samsung’s next-generation devices, while new possibilities have been opened up for the future development of Wi-Fi technology.”

The announcement comes as the world’s largest smartphone maker rolls out new products amid growing competition. Samsung last week said its quarterly operating profit had plunged 60 per cent because of stagnating smartphone sales and has announced a 15.6 trillion won (S$18.5 billion) investment to build a plant in South Korea to meet demand for semiconductor chips.

Samsung said commercialisation of the 60GHz Wi-Fi technology is expected as early as next year. It plans to apply its new technology to a wide range of products, including audio-visual devices and telecommunication equipment. BLOOMBERG