1 April 2025
Breaking News: Internet through the water pipe
With WaterWAN, NET CHECK has developed a revolutionary technology that has the potential to fundamentally change broadband expansion: For the first time, the existing drinking water infrastructure can be used for high-speed data transmission.
Expanding broadband access in remote and underserved regions has long been one of the biggest challenges in digital infrastructure. For network providers, the economic effort to connect remote areas via fiber optics is often not viable—leaving many communities behind. WaterWAN changes that. Any household with a water connection can now enjoy stable internet speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s—without excavation, CO₂ emissions, or extensive cabling.
The editors at CHIP were the first to report on this groundbreaking concept.
Read the full article here (in German): 👉 CHIP: Breitband-Internet kommt bald aus dem Wasserhahn
HydroWire™: The Key to Data Through Water Pipes
At the core of the technology is HydroWire™, a NET CHECK-developed additive that is taste-neutral, safe for health, and compliant with drinking water regulations. When added in small amounts to tap water, it makes the water conductive enough for lossless digital signal transmission—comparable to fiber optics, but with no need for new infrastructure.
How WaterWAN works:
- Signal transmission: Data packets travel through the water using electromagnetic waves.
- Receiver device: A WaterWAN adapter, installed at the faucet or main water entry point, decodes the signal and provides it via Wi-Fi or LAN.
- Speed: Up to 10 Gbit/s in homes, up to 100 Gbit/s in industrial settings.
- Latency: Comparable to fiber, perfect for real-time applications.
A True Gamechanger for Digital Infrastructure
“Especially for municipalities, utilities, and providers looking for new solutions, WaterWAN is a real gamechanger,” explains Detlef Zernick, CEO and founder of NET CHECK. “WaterWAN leverages infrastructure that already exists everywhere: the water network. This makes broadband expansion possible even in areas where traditional investments haven’t paid off.”
Looking Ahead: Broadband from the River?
Pilot projects are already underway in several cities, with a commercial launch planned for 2026. In the future, HydroWire™ could be added directly at the water source—such as treatment plants or reservoirs. That opens up new possibilities: imagine going wild camping and casting your router into the river like a fishing rod—and getting online.
NET CHECK is working full speed to make this vision a reality.
For further information or if you are interested in participating in the field test, please contact hydrowire@netcheck.de
