Following the meeting held on October 19th, 2023, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken a significant step to promote the use of unlicensed spectrum by opening the 6 GHz band to a new class of ultra-low-power devices. These devices will operate alongside existing Wi-Fi enabled equipment, paving the way for a wave of innovative applications in a variety of fields, including wearable technologies, augmented and virtual reality, business enhancement, improved learning opportunities, advanced healthcare, and new entertainment experiences.
This move is expected to bring innovation to various fields, including wearable technologies, augmented and virtual reality, business enhancement, improved learning opportunities, advanced healthcare, and new entertainment experiences.
The 6 GHz band is crucial for the future of Wi-Fi technology, especially for the next generation of Wi-Fi. In recent years, the FCC expanded the unlicensed spectrum in the 5.925 to 7.125 GHz range, which led to the introduction of Wi-Fi 6E and set the stage for Wi-Fi 7. It also played a significant role in the growth of the Internet of Things.
Specifically, the new rules authorize VLP operations in the U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 portions of the 6 GHz band totaling 850 megahertz of spectrum.
Operations at power levels significantly lower than other unlicensed 6 GHz devices could occur anywhere, indoors or outdoors, without any need for a frequency coordination system.
The Commission also proposed expanding operation of these very low power unlicensed devices to the remainder of the 6 GHz band and permitting VLP devices more operational flexibility through higher power levels subject to a geofencing system that provides interference protection to licensed incumbent operations in the band.
Overall, the FCC’s new rules and proposed rule changes are a positive development for VLP devices. They will make it easier for developers to create new and innovative products and services, and they will help to accelerate the adoption of VLP devices in a variety of industries.
Type Approval Impacted? No
Spectrum Impacted? No
Imports Impacted? Yes
Standards: N/A
Product Impacted? Low Power Devices, WiFi enabled devices, Wearables
