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. Read More “The Future of Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz Band”
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today held a hearing on spectrum and national security. WifiForward Executive Director Mary Brown testified before the hearing on the importance of unlicensed spectrum and the critical roles Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum play in U.S. global leadership.
“Wi-Fi technology is a bedrock of our nation’s connectivity here at home and is pivotal to our national security and global competitiveness,” Brown testified.
Read More “WifiForward to Senate Commerce: Wi-Fi Key to Fight Against China”
Wi-Fi is the “Swiss army knife” of wireless connectivity – there when you need it, and the possibilities for what you can do with it are endless. The recent cellular outage is just one example of myriad ways Wi-Fi has become integral to how we communicate. “We encourage the use of Wi-Fi calling until service is restored,” AT&T said in a statement. Good advice!
While Wi-Fi served as a critical backup to consumers impacted by the cellular service outage, most of the time, consumers are using both Wi-Fi and mobile services or switching seamlessly between the two. For example, when you arrive at your office in the morning, your phone will likely switch from cell service to your office Wi-Fi, and then when you get back home at the end of the day, it will connect to your Wi-Fi at home. In fact, Wi-Fi networks support 90% of data traffic because Wi-Fi sits at the edge of every broadband connection whether wired or wireless.
Read More “Wi-Fi Saves the Day, Every Day”
Washington, D.C. – WifiForward today released the following statement on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)’s National Spectrum Strategy Implementation Plan:
“The National Spectrum Strategy provides a critical opportunity to supercharge Wi-Fi to align with our national broadband goals and spur U.S.-led innovation. Wi-Fi technology already allows for coexistence in the 7.125-8.4 GHz band, without the need for relocation of federal incumbent providers — we’ve already seen it in the 6 GHz band, where low power and indoor Wi-Fi successfully coexist with mission-critical public safety, utility and broadcast systems. WifiForward urges NTIA to move as quickly as possible to allow coexistence in the 7/8 GHz band.”
Read More “WifiForward Statement on National Spectrum Strategy Implementation Plan”
Washington, D.C. – Today WifiForward released the following statement on the introduction of the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2024:
“We appreciate the agreement that additional spectrum is needed for advanced Wi-Fi, but 125 MHz is inadequate to support the kind of future innovation and growth that will be required by consumers and competitive providers of wireless services. Wi-Fi is the workhorse of wireless connectivity, and we are concerned that this proposal disproportionately serves the interests of one business model within a much broader consumer wireless ecosystem. WifiForward looks forward to working with Senators Cruz and Thune and other stakeholders in Congress, NTIA and the FCC to ensure that consumers and innovators have access to the spectrum needed for faster broadband speeds, and new innovative technologies and use cases in the coming years.”
Read More “WifiForward Statement on the Spectrum Pipeline Act”
The United States has long been a leader in global innovation, particularly when it comes to spectrum. With the release of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) implementation plan, the U.S. has yet another opportunity to lead the world in spectrum policy – but only if NTIA embraces the types of innovation that have propelled the U.S. to global leadership.
Read More “Wireless Leaders Unite: Urgent Call for Unlicensed Spectrum Access Under NTIA Plan”
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”
