# HaLow extended-range deployment

A specialized variant for sites where running PoE or fiber is impractical: agropecuario fields, marinas, large industrial yards, dispersed event perimeters.

## What HaLow is

**802.11ah** — IEEE wireless standard operating in sub-GHz bands (902-928 MHz US, 863-868 MHz EU). Designed for IoT range and low-power use.

Key properties:

- **Range**: ~1 km line-of-sight, 200-400m through obstacles.
- **Throughput**: 150 Kbps - 32 Mbps depending on bandwidth and modulation.
- **Power**: lower than WiFi 5/6, suitable for battery + solar.
- **Penetration**: better than 2.4/5 GHz through walls and foliage.

For Blocao: HaLow lets cameras be deployed without cabling and without depending on cellular (which has SIM costs and roaming complications in agro environments).

## Deployment pattern

```
              [Operator base]
                    │
              ┌─────▼──────┐
              │   Router   │
              │ + HaLow AP │
              └─────┬──────┘
                    │ 802.11ah sub-GHz
       ┌────────────┼────────────────┐
       │            │                │
       ▼            ▼                ▼
   ┌───────┐    ┌───────┐        ┌───────┐
   │HaLow  │    │HaLow  │        │HaLow  │
   │bridge │    │camera │        │camera │
   │+ cams │    │       │        │       │
   └───────┘    └───────┘        └───────┘
   200m         500m              900m
```

Two patterns:

1. **HaLow camera direct**: native 802.11ah camera (rare today, more available 2026-2027).
2. **HaLow bridge + WiFi/PoE camera**: bridge converts HaLow ↔ Ethernet, supports any IP camera within local range.

Pattern 2 is more flexible today. Pattern 1 is the future as native HaLow cameras come to market.

## Hardware (mid-2026 availability)

- **Router HaLow extension**: M.2 module or USB dongle (e.g., Morse Micro MM6108 reference).
- **HaLow bridge**: small box with HaLow radio + Ethernet, powered by PoE on the camera side or solar.
- **Native HaLow camera**: still scarce; track Hikvision and Dahua announcements.

Cost: HaLow bridge ~€100-200. HaLow router module ~€100. Native cameras unknown until volume products ship.

## Use cases

| Vertical | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Agropecuario | Cattle ranch, 4-6 cameras at gates and feed stations, 500-1500m from main building |
| Marina | 8-10 cameras along a dock, no power for cabling, solar-friendly |
| Industrial yard | Container terminal, perimeter cameras 200-800m from operations building |
| Construction site | Temporary deployment, no time/permits for trenching |
| Municipality | Urban edge cameras at intersections, point-to-point bridge to central office |

## Limits

- **Bandwidth**: a single HaLow link can carry ~1-3 1080p H.265 streams reliably. Not for 4K.
- **Latency**: ~30-50ms typical, ~100ms under load. Good enough for surveillance, not for interactive control.
- **Regulatory**: sub-GHz bands are regional. EU 863-868 MHz allows lower power than US 902-928 MHz. Channel planning matters in dense deployments.
- **Interference**: LoRa and Sigfox share parts of the band. Generally not a problem; site survey recommended.

## Why this is a Blocao opportunity

Most VMS / security vendors don't think about cabling distance. They assume PoE 100m. HaLow extends Blocao's reach by 10× without adding cellular costs or solar-power complications.

For LATAM customers specifically (estancias, fincas, marinas, large industrial), this is **the** differentiator over Verkada and Hikvision. Verkada has no HaLow story; Hikvision will likely follow but slowly.

## Roadmap

**2026 Q3**: HaLow extension as Image Builder option. Site survey toolchain.
**2027 Q1**: HaLow bridge product packaged.
**2027 Q3**: Native HaLow camera options validated and recommended.

Until then, HaLow is positioned as "available on request" for pilot customers.

## See also

- [`argentina-targets.md`](argentina-targets.md) — verticals where HaLow is decisive.