The FCC has voted to adopt a Report and Order that will open up a new class of devices, very low power devices, to operate alongside other Wi-Fi-enabled devices in the U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 portions of the 6 GHz band. In recent years, the FCC has opened up the 6 GHz spectrum band to expanded unlicensed uses, including Wi-Fi operations. The Commission hopes that permitting very low power devices to operate in the 6 GHz band will enable high-data rate cutting-edge applications to enrich consumer experiences and bolster the economy.
The Commission also voted to adopt a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes and seeks comment on expanding the operation of these very low power devices to the entire 6 GHz band and whether it should permit increased power levels for these devices subject to a geofencing system that provides interference protection.
