The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to approve the expansion of the unlicensed use of certain devices that operate in the 6GHz band.
Taken in late January, the FCC’s action will create a new category of devices for geofenced variable power (GVP) devices. GVP devices can reportedly operate both indoors and outdoors at higher power levels than other previously authorized devices.
According to the Commission, the new category of GVP devices will be restricted from operating in exclusion zones on certain frequencies to protect incumbent licensed services from interference.
Broader access to GVP devices will allow consumers to benefit from the advantages of “supercharged” Wi-Fi and a new generation of wireless devices and capabilities, including augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) applications, as well as short-range hotspots and automation.
The FCC’s press release on its expansion of the unlicensed use of the 6GHz band is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418324A1.pdf.