Wi-Fi is about to get bigger, better, and faster. Today, the Federal Communications Commission made an important step toward improving the wireless economy by opening up 100 MHz of spectrum for outdoor unlicensed broadband uses such as Wi-Fi. We applaud the Chairman and Commissioners, as well as leadership throughout the agency, for taking this action today. We commend the Commission for crafting a thoughtful balance between the needs of incumbents and innovators to make sharing possible.

Read More “WifiForward applauds FCC on move to unleash more spectrum for Wi-Fi”

This week both the President and the Federal Communications Commission made a big push for unlicensed spectrum that could boost capacity on our Wi-Fi networks and fuel new services for consumers that rely on the free-to-use airwaves. Unlike the licensed spectrum mobile carriers use in their 3G and 4G networks, unlicensed spectrum is open to any device with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radio — and it’s long been the subject of a caustic political debate.

Read More “The case for more Wi-Fi and unlicensed airwaves just got a lot stronger”

Read More “Fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi access point sales to speed up in 2014, grabbing 45% market share”

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said the FCC should seize a near-term opportunity to use more of the 5 GHz band for unlicensed wireless use, and also explore ways to make use of guard bands that will be produced in the 600 MHz spectrum auction for unlicensed purposes.

Read More “FCC’s Rosenworcel looks to 5 GHz band, 600 MHz guard bands for unlicensed wireless”

For over a century, wireless services using licensed spectrum have profoundly shaped our lives. It’s difficult to imagine a world without the influence of radio, television, satellite links, and mobile telephony.

However, during the last 15 years, communication using the unlicensed bands of spectrum has witnessed an explosion in usage and utility that rivals, and in many ways eclipses, the licensed experience.

Read More “Playing by the Rules: The Success of Unlicensed Spectrum”

FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Friday put in a plug for using the guard bands in repacked 600 MHz broadcast/wireless spectrum for unlicensed wireless, while focusing on a move she said could essentially double the unlicensed bandwidth in the 5 GHz band now used by cable ops for Wi-Fi.

Read More “Rosenworcel: Unlicensed Vs. Licensed is False Choice”

In Monday’s speech, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel is expected to push for expanded unlicensed use of spectrum, including as part of the upcoming broadcast incentive auction and in the 5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. Unlicensed spectrum can be used by any company for free and powers technologies such as Wi-Fi.

Read More “Rosenworcel Pushes for Unlicensed Spectrum”

FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel wants to make sure that Wi-Fi isn’t left behind in the race to grab up chunks of the country’s airwaves. Unlike wireless phone service, Wi-Fi signals operate on unlicensed bands of the spectrum, but the space is becoming increasingly crowded, she wrote in an op-ed for re/code.

Read More “Rosenworcel pushes Wi-Fi”

“As our economy increasingly relies on spectrum, this Caucus will be an important mechanism for our colleagues and congressional staff to engage on the spectrum policies, both licensed and unlicensed, facing our economy,” Matsui said in a statement.

Read More “Members launch caucus on airwaves, spectrum”

Prepared Remarks of FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler

GSMA Mobile World Congress

February 24, 2014 – Barcelona, Spain

Thank you, Dr. Dugan, for that introduction and thank you GSMA for welcoming me and Commissioner Rosenworcel. I also want to acknowledge Vice President Neelie Kroes.

This is my first international trip since becoming FCC Chairman. One lesson I’ve learned so far is that no matter where I go or how far I travel, I can’t get away from Randall Stephenson.

Read More “Chairman Wheeler’s Prepared Remarks at GSMA Mobile World Congress”