NAB Displeased With FCC 6GHz Use OK

0

In an unanimous vote conducted virtually during Thursday’s April Open Opening, the FCC placed its seal of approval on new rules that make some 1,200 megahertz of spectrum in the 6GHz band available for unlicensed use.


The NAB quickly responded, assailing the Commissioners for the move, which could be a game-changer for WiFi.

The spectrum being freed up for unlicensed use resides between 5.925 GHz and 7.125 GHz.

It essentially opens up the development of “Wi-FI 6,” the next generation of wireless internet, and will likely play a significant role in the development of the Internet of Things.

According to the FCC, Wi-Fi 6 will be more than two-and-a-half times faster than the current standard, offering improved performance. “Opening the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use will also increase the amount of spectrum available for Wi-Fi by nearly a factor of five and help improve rural connectivity,” the Commission says.

Bringing high-speed internet to lesser populated areas has been one of the Pai Commission’s biggest efforts, with TV white space regulation and 5G deployment some of the key efforts championed by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

The 6 GHz band is currently populated by, among others, microwave services that are used to support utilities, public safety, and wireless backhaul.

The FCC neglected to mention, the NAB pointed out, that the 6GHz band is also used by local radio and TV broadcasters for newsgathering purposes.

“Unlicensed devices will share this spectrum with incumbent licensed services under rules crafted to protect those licensed services and enable both unlicensed and licensed operations to thrive throughout the band,” the Commission declared.

NAB EVP/Communications Dennis Wharton responded that the association “is disappointed the FCC is allowing uncoordinated unlicensed use across the entire 6 GHz band.” Unlike in other recent proceedings, the Commission, Wharton noted, “did not bring stakeholders together to seek compromise.” Moreover, he said, the order represents “an inexplicable departure from existing precedent.”

How so? “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,” Wharton said. “This ‘fingers crossed’ approach is bad policy and not what is required under law. The record does not remotely justify why the full 1200 MHz in the band is needed for unlicensed use in the near or long term.”

Referencing the current COVID-19 pandemic and the heightened importance of local news, Wharton concluded, “If today’s FCC decision is wrong, it will irreparably undermine broadcast newsgathering just as it is needed most.”

The Report and Order authorizes indoor low-power operations over the full 1,200 megahertz and standard-power devices in 850 megahertz in the 6 GHz band.

“An automated frequency coordination system will prevent standard power access points from operating where they could cause interference to incumbent services,” the FCC asserts.

A Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on a proposal to permit very low-power devices to operate across the 6 GHz band to support high data rate applications including high-performance, wearable, augmented-reality and virtual-reality devices.  The notice also seeks comment on increasing the power at which low-power indoor access points may operate.


For a look at the complete 125-page NPRM and fact sheet, please click here.