Rosenworcel Proposes Allowing VLP Across More Parts of 6 GHz Band

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated on Friday for a commissioner vote rules that would expand parts of the 6 GHz band where new very-low power (VLP) devices can operate without coordination, beyond the initial 850 MHz commissioners approved last year (see 2310190054). When the FCC took comment earlier this year, Wi-Fi advocates and 6 GHz incumbents disagreed sharply on whether to expand VLP use of the band (see 2404290035).

The order would let devices operate across 350 MHz in the U-NII-6 and U-NII-8 portions of the 6 GHz band “at the same power levels and technical/operational protections” approved last year for the U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands “while protecting incumbent licensed services that operate in the 6 GHz band,” the FCC said.

Commissioners approved the VLP order and Further NPRM 5-0 a year ago, though Commissioner Nathan Simington questioned at the time whether the FCC was adequately considering concerns of 6 GHz incumbents. Commissioner Brendan Carr said he would have taken other steps then, including allowing VLP in the U-NII-6 and U-NII-8 portions of the band.

“Opening up access to the airwaves without licenses makes it possible to innovate without permission and to develop low-power wireless technologies that change the way we live and work,” Rosenworcel said. “We are making more spectrum available to bolster this growing ecosystem of cutting-edge applications.”

The order, which CTA has advocated for at the FCC, “will support the advancement of innovative applications, including wearables and augmented and virtual reality,” emailed David Grossman, CTA vice president-policy and regulatory affairs. “CTA urges the Commission to act quickly to approve these final rules to help businesses, enhance learning opportunities, promote healthcare opportunities, and bring new entertainment experiences to consumers.”

Some of the biggest proponents of expanding the amount of spectrum available for VLP have been Apple, Broadcom, Google, Intel, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Qualcomm, which have continued a lobbying push at the FCC. Most recently, the companies met with Office of Engineering and Technology staff on a study that concluded VLP devices pose little risk to mobile electronic newsgathering (ENG) receivers (see 2409060036).

“Wi-Fi is the workhorse technology for American consumers, and this FCC action in 6 GHz will make it even stronger,” Christopher Szymanski, director-product marketing for Broadcom’s Wireless Communications and Connectivity Division, said Friday. VLP devices operating in wide channels “will enable next generation wireless services at the network edge,” he said: “Without this expansion, providing such services would be very challenging.”

The order, if adopted, emailed John Kuzin, Qualcomm vice president-spectrum policy and regulatory counsel, “would enable highly reliable personal area communications networks that support improved augmented and extended reality applications, medical monitoring applications and many other important uses.”

The Wi-Fi Alliance said the changes would benefit Wi-Fi and the economy. “The proposal builds on proven interference mitigation techniques which already have been successfully implemented,” the alliance said.

Resistance has come from groups representing incumbents. In an April filing, NAB warned of the potential threat to ENG. “Allowing unrestrained VLP operation by millions -- or even billions -- of unlicensed devices amounts to letting the metaphorical ‘genie out of the bottle,’ potentially creating a radio frequency interference environment that cannot be controlled.”

“While we have not seen the draft item on circulation, it would be extremely disappointing if the commission were engaged in yet another spectrum giveaway to Big Tech without adequately protecting the spectrum broadcasters are currently using to provide breaking news coverage," a NAB spokesperson said in an email: "As broadcasters’ extraordinary efforts to help the many communities impacted by Hurricane Helene demonstrate, it is critical for the commission to ensure that broadcasters have access to spectrum that will allow them to provide these essential services in times of crisis and without interference.”