FCC Looking at Making 6 GHz Next Band for Wi-Fi, Other Unlicensed Use; Next Stop 5.9 GHz

During a news conference, Chairman Ajit Pai didn’t commit to a new NPRM on the 5.9 GHz band beyond ongoing sharing tests. The FCC is “still studying the issue” and will soon release the first tests' results and a request for comment, Pai said,

Officials said after the meeting that the 6 GHz band raises tricky issues because different types of incumbents are spread across a large amount of spectrum. “As we try to pack more and more things into spectrum, it is more challenging, but we think what we propose is going to protect those services and we’re looking forward to comments and a robust record to make sure that happens,” said Julius Knapp, chief of the Office of Engineering and Technology.

“Everything is more complicated these days,” O’Rielly said. “The easy work and the easy lifting has already been done. We’re at the medium- and the hard-lifting” stage.

“The proposed rules are designed to allow unlicensed devices to operate in the 6 GHz band without interfering with the operation of the licensed services that will continue to use this spectrum,” said a news release. “In those portions of the 6 GHz band that are heavily used by point-to-point microwave links, the Commission proposes to allow unlicensed devices to operate where permitted by an automated frequency coordination system and invites comment as to whether this is necessary for devices operated only indoors.”

The 6 GHz band is “prime” territory for unlicensed, O’Rielly said during the meeting. Now, the agency should zero in on the 5.9 GHz band (see 1810160061), he said. Last week, NCTA and others sought a record refresh there. O’Rielly predicted all commissioners would vote yes on a 5.9 GHz NPRM. The band is the “missing link” between the 5 and 6 GHz bands, he said.

Wi-Fi airwaves “are getting crowded,” Rosenworcel said. Wi-Fi bands “are used by more than 9 billion devices, with “as many as 50 billion new devices connecting to our networks” through the IoT by decade's end. “We’re going to need a significant swath of new unlicensed spectrum to keep up with demand. Now is the time to do something.” The 5.9 GHz band was set aside in 1999 for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), “designed to let cars talk to each other in real time to help reduce accidents,” Rosenworcel said. “That has not happened,” she said. “Testing on DSRC continues, but only a few thousand vehicles have DSRC on board out of the more than 260 million cars on the road.” It's time for the FCC to wrap up those tests, Rosenworcel said.

“It’s surprising that so much is done with so little,” said Commissioner Brendan Carr. “As we move towards 5G, demand on our unlicensed bands will only increase.” Carr noted the main bands for unlicensed provide only 83 MHz of spectrum now in that 2.4 GHz band and 150 MHz in the 5 GHz band. “I’m optimistic about the band,” Carr said. “We’ll find a path forward.”

O’Rielly, who had urged launching the NPRM, also told reporters he's also optimistic. “We’re working with multiple parties in terms of is there going to be harmful interference … and then potential remedies,” he said. “You’ve seen a ton of stuff already submitted to the record and that’s what the NPRM will do.”

Utilities Technology Council President Joy Ditto raised concerns. “The 6 GHz band is already heavily used by utilities and other [critical infrastructure companies] and is uniquely suited for these vital communications systems,” Ditto said. “There appear to be no other reasonable alternative bands for utilities to use. By contrast, there are many other bands that could be used for unlicensed, non-critical commercial operations; indeed, the Commission has already opened up additional spectrum for unlicensed operations in other bands that have yet to be used to their full potential.”

“We are encouraged by the progress being made by industry to develop a sharing proposal with the unlicensed community that ultimately could allow coexistence of Wi-Fi-type devices and microwave links,” said Joan Marsh, AT&T executive vice president-regulatory and state external affairs. “Any unlicensed use must be responsible for avoiding interference with the existing, mission-critical uses.”

"Since the last mid-band designation for unlicensed use over 20 years ago our demand for Wi-Fi has exploded,” emailed Chris Szymanski, Broadcom director-product marketing & government affairs. “Time remains of the essence and we hope the FCC proceeds to a report and order quickly, featuring simple and flexible rules that will enable the industry to meet the American public’s pent-up Wi-Fi demand as soon as possible."

At their meeting Tuesday: commissioners OK'd along party lines rules for the 3.5 GHz band: 1810230037; and unanimously tweaked RLEC business data service rules: 1810230032. Also OK'ed were two media items and a Lifeline enforcement action, while Pai announced a review of wireless network resiliency: see Notebook section at end of 1810230037.