Washington, D.C. – WifiForward and Spectrum for the Future today joined other next-generation wireless leaders to provide input on the highly anticipated National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) Implementation Plan set to be released in March. In a letter signed by 17 commercial spectrum users, public interest stakeholders, and defense companies, the advocates urged the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to ensure access to essential spectrum resources and preserve national security through coexistence. Read More “Next-Generation Wireless Leaders Call for Action on Dynamic Sharing & Unlicensed Spectrum Under NTIA Plan”
Washington, D.C. – Today WifiForward released the following statement:
“We applaud the FCC’s continued focus on enabling innovation in the 6 GHz band with the announcement that seven Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) providers can now offer commercial services to Standard Power Wi-Fi devices, guiding devices to the best available frequencies and ensuring that they avoid harmful interference with nearby incumbent links. These databases build upon a long line of innovations that the FCC has authorized to promote coexistence of different applications, which means better, faster connectivity for consumers, economic value and greater peace of mind for incumbent operators.”
Read More “WifiForward Statement on FCC Approval of AFCs for Commercial Operations”
Last week, WifiForward advisor Mary Brown participated in a panel discussion alongside fellow spectrum experts titled “Unlicensed Innovation: The Impact of Wi-Fi and Beyond in Daily Life” at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) hosted by the Consumer Technology Association. The panel examined ongoing efforts to unlock faster Wi-Fi and how policymakers can continue to support unlicensed innovation. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:
Read More “What Happens in Vegas: Recapping CES 2024”
Last November, the White House released the National Spectrum Strategy and a Presidential Memorandum tasking NTIA with preparing a Strategy implementation plan. As a part of that process, NTIA welcomed public input on the Strategy through an opportunity to submit written comments. WifiForward was one of many groups to file comments, which you can read here.
A broad range of public interest and industry players agree: Unlicensed spectrum is the key to future innovation, and NTIA must prioritize the lower 7 GHz band for unlicensed use. Here’s what they’re saying to NTIA ahead of the implementation plan rollout…
Read More “What They’re Saying: National Spectrum Strategy Implementation Comments”
Late last year, the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) concluded after a month of discussions over the future of global spectrum regulations. The U.S. delegation’s efforts protected American interests, such as Wi-Fi and other technologies that rely on unlicensed spectrum, in the face of attacks by China and its allies. In case you didn’t make it to Dubai, we’re here to break down the major developments regarding unlicensed spectrum and what they mean for the future of Wi-Fi globally and here at home.
Read More “Smart Spectrum Policy from Dubai to your House”
Washington, D.C. – WifiForward today submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on the Implementation Plan for the National Spectrum Strategy.
In the comments, WifiForward outlines opportunities for unlicensed spectrum, specifically in the 7/8 GHz bands, and urges NTIA to provide additional spectrum resources to support Wi-Fi, arguing, “While there are many bands on the table for licensed spectrum, there is no ‘Plan B’ for heavily used Wi-Fi services that carry more than 85% of the data in our homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions. Promptly and strategically allocating more unlicensed spectrum is vital to preserving and expanding these Wi-Fi services so they keep up with increased data traffic flows and innovative technologies.”
Read More “WifiForward Comments on National Spectrum Strategy Implementation”
Washington, D.C. – Today WifiForward released the following statement on the conclusion of the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference:
“WifiForward commends the U.S. government delegation for supporting American technologies like Wi-Fi and protecting American interests at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). WRC revealed in the starkest possible terms that some global powers, led by China, see the continued growth of Wi-Fi and other unlicensed technologies as a threat to their own ambitions. While most of the world supports Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band, China continues to push aggressively for changes that would eliminate such options globally and reclaim spectrum in the 6 GHz band solely in service of technologies favored by Huawei and other Chinese vendors.
Read More “WifiForward Statement on WRC-23 Outcomes”
Last week, the White House and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a long-anticipated National Spectrum Strategy, as well as a Presidential Memorandum on modernizing U.S. spectrum policy. The strategy laid out a blueprint for American innovation and wireless competition and identified 2,700 MHz of spectrum for potential repurposing – and WifiForward is not alone in urging a spectrum reallocation path that supports technology diversity, including unlicensed and dynamically shared licensed approaches. Here’s what others are saying:
Read More “What They Are Saying on the National Spectrum Strategy”
Washington, D.C. – Today WifiForward released the following statement on the NTIA’s release of the National Spectrum Strategy:
“Unlicensed spectrum is a critical ingredient to support the high-speed broadband we enjoy in our homes, businesses, schools and on the go. Making available a steady stream of more unlicensed spectrum is vital to ensure that Wi-Fi networks remain innovative, and they are able to accommodate ever-growing broadband demands and speeds. Importantly, between 80% – 90% of mobile traffic is offloaded to Wi-Fi. We are therefore heartened to see that the National Spectrum Strategy identifies the 7 GHz band as a candidate to address the nation’s growing demand for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed technologies and we encourage an expedited process for making it available for these services as quickly as possible. The 7 GHz band is well-positioned to bolster and support the growth of Wi-Fi and the unlicensed ecosystem, and we urge the Administration to consider next-generation broadband needs when allocating this critical band.
Read More “WifiForward Statement on National Spectrum Strategy”
What is Wi-Fi 7?
Wi-Fi 7 is the latest advancement in wireless connectivity and a successor to Wi-Fi 6E, promising faster speeds, reduced latency and stronger reliability for consumers. Like Wi-Fi 6E, it will still operate in the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands; however, what sets this generation apart is the increased capacity for wireless connections.
How does it work?
We like to think of spectrum like a busy highway: if there are more lanes opened on the road, traffic can travel faster to get where they need to go. Because Wi-Fi 7 supports the wider channels enabled by the 6 GHz band – or, in other words, creates more lanes on the highway – it can accommodate more traffic and move data more efficiently.
Read More “Wi-Fi 7 and the Next Generation of Connectivity”
