On September 27, 2023 The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) proposed new rules to allow very low power devices to operate in the 6 GHz band alongside other Wi-Fi-enabled devices. If these regulations are approved at the Commission’s open meeting in October, they would encourage an ecosystem of cutting-edge applications, such as augmented and virtual reality, that will benefit companies, improve educational opportunities, increase healthcare, and introduce new entertainment options.
“Countless innovations that have made our lives easier and more convenient are dependent on unlicensed spectrum. The 6 GHz band has already improved the Wi-Fi that we rely on every day for work, school, entertainment, and innovation.” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “I hope my colleagues will join me to foster a new wave of innovation in devices that will benefit consumers in exciting ways and bolster U.S. leadership in advanced wireless technologies.”
The 6 GHz band is an important functional space for next-generation Wi-Fi. The FCC recently increased unlicensed usage in 1,200 megahertz of spectrum between 5.925 and 7.125 GHz, as long encouraged by then-Commissioner Rosenworcel and then-Commissioner Mike O’Reilly. The Internet of Things has greatly increased as a result of that FCC ruling, which also helped bring forth Wi-Fi 6, the next generation of Wi-Fi. The suggestion made today expands on this achievement by allowing for additional band operations.
The proposal sent to the Commissioners today proposes new regulations, requests more feedback, and issues a clarifying order. The regulations, or Report and Order, would permit very low power (VLP) activities in the 850 megahertz-wide U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 regions of the 6 GHz band. Anywhere, inside or out, operations at power levels up to -5 dBm/MHz might be conducted without the necessity for a frequency coordination system.
The Commission would also consider more public feedback on allowing these extremely low power unlicensed devices to operate in the remaining 6 GHz bandwidth. The Commission will also suggest allowing extremely low power devices to operate at greater power levels while adopting a geofencing scheme to safeguard certified incumbent activities in the band. The FCC would also like feedback on any other steps it may take to increase the use of unlicensed devices over the whole 6 GHz spectrum while safeguarding current users from dangerous interference. Finally, after the D.C. Circuit Court had previously authorized the agency’s 6 GHz regulations, the Commission would issue an order to resolve one specific question that had been remanded from the court.
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