The 6 GHz band has proven absolutely vital for the continued use and growth of Wi-Fi technology. In the seven years since the FCC released its first Notice of Inquiry on Wi-Fi in 6 GHz, commissioners and staff have poured their expertise into developing, defending, and publishing 6 GHz rules. WifiForward is greatly appreciative of all of the FCC’s work, which provides support for U.S. broadband policy, innovation in technology, and U.S. wireless leadership around the world.
The FCC’s groundbreaking, bipartisan and unanimous 2020 order carefully responded to an array of technical comments from incumbents, and not only survived a challenge to the D.C. Circuit, but was affirmed unanimously. In fact, the very first 6 GHz device entered the market late in 2020, based on then-new 6 GHz-specific certification rules devices developed by the FCC Lab.
One of the more innovative policies from the FCC’s 2020 decision was to implement Automated Frequency Control databases for standard-power and outdoor Wi-Fi devices – guiding standard-power and outdoor Wi-Fi devices away from frequencies that would cause harmful interference to outdoor microwave links. Just last month the FCC gave seven AFC applicants the green light to start servicing outdoor Wi-Fi. The first outdoor 6 GHz devices are already in the market!
You might wonder – after all that, what work is left to do?
Today, the FCC will take comments on proposals it made in November to provide new flexibility for designing devices in the 6 GHz band.
But aside from today’s filings, the FCC still has one important issue to address, from a 2020 Notice, that stands to significantly enhance consumers’ in-home Wi-Fi experience, reduce consumer costs, is already supported by many Wi-Fi 6E devices in the marketplace (meaning it in most cases won’t require new equipment), and that has already been proven to not pose a risk to 6 GHz incumbent links. That is adopting the FCC’s proposal to slightly raise the permitted power levels for 6 GHz Low Power Indoor (LPI) devices. With plenty of technical support already in the record, a strong D.C. Circuit affirmation of the FCC’s earlier 6 GHz analysis, which supported this slightly higher power level, and so many tunable Wi-Fi devices already in the marketplace, the FCC can further bolster U.S. Wi-Fi and technological leadership by taking this important step forward.
After nearly four years of experience operating at current indoor power levels that are well below power available in the 5 GHz band, we encourage the FCC to adopt its proposal to raise LPI power levels and further optimize 6 GHz Wi-Fi’s potential.
