Two pending Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Wi-Fi proposals would add at least $183.44 billion to the U.S. economy over the next 5 years. This is the finding of a new study by Dr. Raul Katz, a leading scholar of economics and telecommunications policy, on the FCC’s proposals to open the 5.9 GHz band and 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi.
In the midst of this national emergency, millions of Americans are relying on high-speed internet to remain connected while staying home. And because most devices are wireless, fast and reliable Wi-Fi is more important than ever.
Read More “Fast & Reliable Wi-Fi for America through Unlicensed 6 GHz Spectrum Sharing”
Wi-Fi is working hard in our communities to keep us healthy connected, learning and working in this uncertain time. We’re tracking stories and use cases so others can learn from the ideas and to share some good news. Please explore below and check back regularly for updates:
We applaud Chairman Pai for a game-changing plan to unleash much-needed unlicensed spectrum that will support generational innovation while protecting existing users of the spectrum. From multi-gigabit Wi-Fi capabilities on our home networks to low-cost telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, from VR-based training for mining and other dangerous jobs to remote surgery, this spectrum supports the future of Wi-Fi and other innovations we cannot yet comprehend. WifiForward members have witnessed unprecedented growth in Wi-Fi usage over the last month; never has the need been more evident or pressing. We look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Pai and his colleagues on this issue and thank him for his unwavering leadership to address the unlicensed spectrum crunch and allow a diverse technological ecosystem to continue to flourish.
During this unprecedented crisis, Americans are depending on their Wi-Fi networks to work, learn and stay connected to critical information. Today, the FCC took an important step, allowing WISPs access to the lower 45 MHz of the 5.9 GHz band to connect people — safeguarding vital community functions and ensuring Americans are not left behind during this time of surging home and community broadband use. This is a great opportunity to take unused spectrum and put it to work for our communities, now. The FCC is showing leadership to expand providers’ network capacity during this time of crisis. WifiForward commends the Chairman and his colleagues for their leadership on this urgent issue.
Many of us cannot imagine a day without Wi-Fi, and since the tech came onto the scene 20 years ago, we’ve come to rely on it more and more. Connecting people to work, educational resources, news and information to stay healthy is more important than ever right now.
Last week, Cisco released its Annual Internet Report (2018–2023) and it predicted huge growth in Internet usage across the board, including in users, data traffic, and speed of connections. In particular, Cisco predicts substantial growth for Wi-Fi by 2023, particularly for next-generation Wi-Fi 6 and with the advent of 5G. Wi-Fi usage will only continue to grow substantially over the next decade.
Read More “Cisco Annual Internet Report: Wi-Fi Use Will Skyrocket”
Spectrum is a finite resource and it’s critical we use innovative policies, technologies and approaches to get the most out of our airwaves to bring the benefits of 5G to the most people. Today, the FCC took major steps forward in spectrum efficiency, putting our unused TV airwaves to good use and setting up auction rules to enable robust commercial sharing of the 3.5 GHz spectrum band with government users. These forward-leaning approaches promise to connect schools, farms, hospitals and homes in unconnected communities nationwide. We commend the Commission for its work on these issues.
Americans use Wi-Fi everywhere – when we need access to reliable, high quality data, Wi-Fi delivers. And Wi-Fi is critical to 5G success.
Licensed 5G will soon be available in large urban areas for mobile applications. But in a 5G world, Wi-Fi will play an increasingly central role in delivering speed and quality for the Internet of Things, for real-time video-rich connections, and as the most important broadband connection within homes, offices, hospitals, and schools — particularly in suburban and rural areas.
To position the U.S. for 5G success, the FCC has proposed that unlicensed services like Wi-Fi share 6 GHz spectrum while protecting existing users. Wi-Fi already has a long history of successful sharing, avoiding interference and maintaining exceptional performance. The FCC’s 6 GHz proposal will offer access to the wide bands of spectrum needed to deliver next generation Wi-Fi and a range of other technologies.
So we strongly support the FCC’s plan to open the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi sharing now, ensuring 5G-level connectivity is available on Main Street and in Manhattan, for rural families and next generation innovators.
Today, WifiForward released the following statement in response to Chairman Pai’s NPRM on TV White Spaces:
“Companies and communities around the country — and the world — are making the unused TV spectrum available on an unlicensed basis to deliver super-fast broadband connections and the U.S. can soon join them. WifiForward commends the Chairman for his move to make the most efficient use of our spectrum resources for public benefit.”