Wi-Fi Alliance Expects FCC to Open 6 GHz Further NPRM

The FCC will likely move forward on a Further NPRM allowing very low-power use of the 6 GHz band outdoors without automated frequency coordination, said Alex Roytblat, Wi-Fi Alliance vice president-regulatory affairs, on an alliance webinar Thursday. Then-Chairman Ajit Pai declined to seek a vote before leaving in January (see 2012180057). Roytblat said the change in administrations slowed FCC work on the rulemaking, approved 5-0 in April (see 2004230059). Review “is ongoing,” and the agency recently asked additional questions about client-to-client devices (see 2102230056), Roytblat said. “They are moving forward,” he said. “Once the leadership at the FCC is stabilized, we hope that this would come back as a priority item.” Brazil allows such low-power operations, and the U.S. shouldn’t be “left behind,” he said. Alliance officials didn’t discuss the legal challenge to the rules (see 2102160082), which acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel mentioned last month when asked about the status (see 2102170049). Approaches on 6 GHz vary, with a few countries considering only licensed use, Roytblat said. In Europe, 500 MHz of 1,200 MHz is being offered for Wi-Fi, he said. Some countries are taking a “staged approach” waiting to make decisions beyond an initial 500 MHz, he said. Broadcom, Intel, MediaTek and Qualcomm chipsets and end-user devices are certified for Wi-Fi 6E, which uses the 6 GHz band, said Nick Sargologos, alliance senior product manager. Seven of 12 new routers premiered at January's CES use 6 GHz, he said. Smartphones, PCs and laptops with Wi-Fi 6E chips are expected to start shipping this quarter, he said, with TVs and virtual reality devices certified by midyear. The swath provides 160 MHz-wide channels, Sargologos said. Only two similarly wide channels are in 5 GHz, versus seven at 6 GHz, he said. He said all Wi-Fi 6E devices must work with earlier generations.