On January 21, 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was recorded in the United States, thus beginning our still ongoing struggle with a pandemic that has changed the way we live. By March of this year, the pandemic in the U.S. had spun completely out of control, leaving us to live, work and learn from home. In ways that we couldn’t have possibly predicted in years’ past, we have become dependent on staying connected with our friends, family members, classmates and colleagues virtually. Amidst this new reality, Wi-Fi has become more vital than ever in a pandemic-ravaged country.
Despite this dark backdrop, 2020 was a landmark year for Wi-Fi, with momentous steps taken to further connect a nation that needs connectivity more than ever before. As we look back on the craziness that was the past year, we wanted to highlight a few ways that Wi-Fi helped Americans weather 2020.
6 GHz Announcement
On July 27, 2020, the FCC voted—unanimously and across party lines—to open up the 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi and other unlicensed uses. This decision by the Commission will ultimately revolutionize Wi-Fi services and unleash innovation across the United States. These 1,200 MHz of spectrum include seven 160 MHz channels—wide superhighways for Wi-Fi to use. This will enable a new generation of Wi-Fi called Wi-Fi 6E and means faster speed, greater capacity and lower latency connectivity. And it’s not just for a laptop or tablet in your home. With this new spectrum, next-gen Wi-Fi 6E will connect huge enterprises like stadiums and airports, improve Wi-Fi tethering and enable immersive VR experiences.
5.9 GHz Modernization
This year, the Commission made a second move to open up more airwaves for unlicensed use. After years of bipartisan support, the FCC voted unanimously on November 18 to modernize the 5.9 GHz band to help create a brighter future for Wi-Fi and connectivity. At the FCC’s monthly Open Meeting, all four commissioners and Chairman Ajit Pai voted to make more spectrum available for Wi-Fi while also continuing to protect transportation safety services. The vote unlocked airwaves that have sat unused for years, creating the first usable 160 MHz and helping deliver next generation capacity and speed across the country. In a pandemic-ravaged world in which staying connected to high-speed internet is more important than ever, this action by the FCC to modernize the 5.9 GHz served as a monumental step for the future of connectivity.
Wi-Fi Across The Country—Deploying Hotspots and Smart Buses
Not only did we see decisive action regarding our Wi-Fi airwaves this year, but we also witnessed communities coming together and finding creative ways to address the digital divide with Wi-Fi. As schools moved to remote learning, Wi-Fi became a vital lifeline and school districts across the country deployed Wi-Fi hotspots to help those students most in need. For instance, in October, the Ohio Public Library distributed 40 hotspots to help those especially vulnerable in Appalachia and, just this past week, 1,500 hotspots were deployed to help students in Michigan’s Jackson County School District. In addition to these hotspots, “Smart Buses” began cropping up across the country to help connect underserved communities, like this “Wi-Fi on Wheels” project in Henderson County, NC.
Amidst a once-in-a-generation pandemic, all Americans had to completely reimagine how they live, work and (attempt to) relax. With this in mind, access to high quality Wi-Fi was more important than ever before. Though there is still work to be done, 2020 was a big year for Wi-Fi—both at the FCC and on a local level—and for the future of connectivity in the United States.