Despite Continuing Concerns From Incumbents, FCC Opens 6 GHz for Wi-Fi
Commissioners approved an order 5-0 Thursday allocating 1,200 MHz for sharing with Wi-Fi and other unlicensed use in the 6 GHz band. The unanimous vote was expected (see 2004170057), as was the approval of a number of tweaks sought by FCC members. Commissioners said they had no worries that allowing very low-power (VLP) devices without automated frequency control throughout the band will be harmful to incumbents. A Further NPRM now seeks comment on the portable use of standard-power devices. NAB, AT&T and others raised concerns.
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The FCC did a “very careful calibration” of the interference risks, Chairman Ajit Pai told reporters. Pai emphasized that he spoke with broadcasters and utilities, among other users. “We have struck an appropriate balance,” he said.
“Unlike in other recent proceedings, the Commission did not bring stakeholders together to seek compromise,” NAB said. “The order represents an inexplicable departure from existing precedent. Rather than require unlicensed proponents to prove they will not cause harmful interference, the Commission shockingly forgoes any independent analysis that interference won’t be too bad or happen too often.”
“Except for one other smaller, but equally important, spectrum slice there is no greater opportunity for expanding unlicensed services, especially Wi-Fi, given its close proximity to the 5 GHz band that most of us rely on every day for our home Wi-Fi systems,” said Commissioner Mike O’Rielly. He sought action on the 5.9 GHz band and more spectrum for licensed use. O’Rielly told reporters he has discussed 5.9 GHz multiple times with Pai staff. “My timeline hasn’t changed,” he said: “It’s pretty realistic to see us take action late summer.” Asked about the objections of 6 GHz incumbents, O’Rielly said the FCC carefully weighed the risks: “There’s a lot of hyperbole in this discussion.” He was answering our question.
Among the tweaks, O’Rielly said the order now sets the allowable client device power by rule instead of based on the “actual transmittal power of an access point at any point in time” and the FNPRM now makes “the VLP section neutral so it does not steer commenters to certain conclusions.” Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said she also pressed for changes, “including clarifying power levels for client devices and seeking comment on opportunities for portable devices and the right power levels for very low power devices.”
O’Rielly disagreed with claims 1,200 MHz is more than Wi-Fi needs. “Instead of doling out unlicensed spectrum in slivers or piecemeal through some dividend mechanism, we have the chance to provide a huge, much needed infusion of wireless currency to American innovators and entrepreneurs,” he said.
People rely on Wi-Fi more than ever because of COVID-19, said Rosenworcel. “The 2.4 and 5 GHz bands are used by billions of devices in the internet of things and that number is only poised to grow,” she said: “We need to act because we need more Wi-Fi.”
The order will open the door for virtual reality and technologies still being developed, said Commissioner Brendan Carr. “We tend to underestimate the pace and nature of technological change,” he said: “We often assume that the next big thing will just be a faster version of what we have today. Our brains can understand faster Wi-Fi but struggle with the more visionary applications that are right around the corner.”
“I hope that we can quickly determine whether and how to increase the power levels for low-power indoor operations,” said Commissioner Geoffrey Starks: “Higher power levels will ensure people can connect to Wi-Fi throughout their homes without additional equipment that might be too costly or complicated.”
Hill, Industry React
The 6 GHz order got some bipartisan Capitol Hill praise, including from Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D. “As we rely on technology to do our jobs and stay connected to our family and friends” during the COVID-19 pandemic, “we’ve seen just how vital strong connectivity is to daily life,” Thune said. Making “more spectrum available for unlicensed use … will continue to help advance ... services vital to rural America.” Thune urged the FCC in December to act on 6 GHz (see 1912050062).
House Communications Subcommittee member Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., hailed “this historic investment in expanding unlicensed spectrum.” The decision “will enable countless innovations in AI, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, and use cases we can’t even imagine, for years,” she said. “Most importantly, this spectrum will be transformational for the future of telehealth.”
“While we support use of this band for Wi-Fi expansion, any new use must protect incumbent services, which in this case includes tens of thousands of microwave links critical to maintaining network infrastructure,” said Joan Marsh, AT&T executive vice president-regulatory and state external affairs: “This order does not do that.”
The FCC could have allowed for sharing while protecting licensees, the Utilities Technology Council said. “Doing so would take time, additional study, and stronger protections for incumbent systems,” UTC said: “The FCC appears to have decided on taking a much riskier approach that does not control low-power indoor operations using AFC. Nor does the FCC order provide additional testing to prevent interference from occurring or enforcement processes to resolve interference that does occur.” While the Edison Electric Institute supports "the goal of using spectrum more efficiently, today's decision by the FCC means there will be no field testing or AFC mechanism in place to protect incumbent users from interference by indoor low-power devices,” said Phil Moeller, executive vice president-regulatory.
“It is incumbent on the FCC to closely monitor new deployments to ensure unlicensed manufacturers live up to their obligations not to cause harmful interference to existing services, and take swift action when necessary to safeguard these links,” said Scott Bergmann, CTIA senior vice president-regulatory affairs.
"Our world has changed dramatically in the last few months -- think of how different life would be if we didn't have access to Wi-Fi technology,” said CTA President Gary Shapiro: “Opening the 6 GHz band means more spectrum available to power the Wi-Fi devices we rely on."
“This is the most substantive decision any commission has made on unlicensed spectrum in almost 25 years and one that will empower our wireless experiences for the next 20 years,” emailed Vijay Nagarajan, vice president-marketing for Broadcom's Wireless Communications and Connectivity Division. “This unprecedented move will provide Americans greater access to telework, telemedicine, distance learning & other critical broadband services/applications,” Microsoft President Brad Smith tweeted. The Wi-Fi Alliance and the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance supported the order.