Wi-Fi speeds are about to get a much needed speed boost according to Qualcomm.
Qualcomm announced that it has plans to triple wi-fi speeds in homes, offices and public networks by changing the way in which wi-fi networks operate.
Currently, wi-fi connections are programmed to serve only one device at a time, cycling through users as quickly as it can, which ultimately creates slower speeds.
“On a network like this, streaming or video chatting can be like sitting in the driver’s seat at rush hour: you’ll get to your destination, but it’s going to take some time,” Qualcomm said.
To change this however, the Fortune 500 company has been working on a new approach which allows networks to transmit data to multiple groups of users at the same time, stopping the network speed from slowing.
This new technology is known as multi-user, mutli-input and multi output” or “MU-MIMO” and is said to raise current US wi-fi speeds by two to three times.
“Using MU-MIMO is like using the carpool lane: the Wi-Fi Highway doesn’t change, but grouping up with other users lets you go much faster while de-congesting the other lanes,” the company said.
MU-MIMO enabled chips are soon going to be rolled out to manufacturers of wireless routers and access points as well as companies that make smartphones and tablets.