27th February 2024: The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) congratulates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its decision to authorize Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems in the 6 GHz band to enable standard power devices to access 850 MHz of spectrum and support a wide range of enterprise and consumer broadband services.
AFC systems maximize spectrum availability for unlicensed technologies such as Wi-Fi. By determining channel and transmit power availability at specific locations, AFC systems allow Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6E devices to transmit at up to 63 times higher power than those limited to low-power indoor operation, while ensuring protection of incumbent user operation in the 6 GHz band. The FCC’s decision to leverage dynamic spectrum sharing technology and capabilities to manage access to the 6 GHz band by standard power devices will ensure increased range, faster speeds and improved capacity of unlicensed operations. As a result, digital transformation across a range of enterprise and consumer use cases within the United States will be achieved.
“The FCC’s decision ensures full deployment of standard power 6 GHz Wi-Fi in the United States will become a reality,” said President of the DSA, Martha Suarez. “As a result, US citizens can benefit from faster, reliable broadband connectivity, no matter where they are located in the country. It has been a long process, but the DSA is delighted with the outcome and applauds the FCC for making this crucial step”.
The decision follows the public notice that was published by the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology in August 2023. This laid out the lab testing and the required public trials for AFC systems in the 6 GHz band. Now these AFC systems have successfully passed the testing phase, they have been approved for full commercial operations.
The approval of the AFC systems aligns with the United States’ National Spectrum Strategy, which was announced in November 2023. The strategy aims to advance the country’s leadership globally, while ensuring its citizens benefit from enhanced services relating to advanced wireless technologies. As a result, the FCC’s decision will improve both consumer wireless networks and services found in critical industries such as aviation, transportation, manufacturing, energy and space.
About the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance
The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) is a global, cross-industry, not for profit organization advocating for laws, regulations, and economic best practices that will lead to more efficient utilization of spectrum, fostering innovation and affordable connectivity for all. Our membership spans multinationals, small-and medium-sized enterprises, as well as academic, research and other organizations from around the world all working to create innovative solutions that will benefit consumers and businesses alike by making spectrum abundant through dynamic spectrum sharing.
For more information, visit: http://www.dynamicspectrumalliance.org/.
