fcc

FCC Proposed Rules for 1.2 GHz of Spectrum

January 7, 2019 Rowell News 0 Comments

The next evolution of Wi-Fi is one step closer to being reality. The FCC has proposed rules for 1200 megahertz of unlicensed frequency in 6 GHz band. The whole band we need to pay attention to is 5.925 – 7.125 GHz. Why make unlicensed frequency available? Unprecedented demand for it. FCC made unlicensed frequency available back in 1985. We will see this complementing 5G services. The growth of Wi-Fi has created a large demand in unlicensed frequency. But by opening up 6 GHz, the FCC is proposing some rules.

The rules are to support compatibility of unlicensed operation and licensed incumbent services.

Sub-bands are:

  • 5.925 – 6.425 GHz (coordination method AFC) (U-NII-5)
  • 6.425 – 6.525 GHz (lower powered indoor) (U-NII-6)
  • 6.525 – 6.875 GHz (coordination method AFC) (U-NII-7)
  • 6.875 – 7.125 GHz (lower powered indoor) (U-NII-8)

Why the coordination method?

6 GHz hosts many incumbent services such as fixed point-to-point services, fixed-satellite service, broadcast auxiliary service, and Cable Television Relay Service. Some of those services support public safety.

For the UNII 5 and 7 the power levels for will be similar to UNII 1 and 3.

Automated Frequency Control (AFC) would be a way for an AP to receive a list of channels it can operate in so it is to not interfere with incumbents. AFC System still needs to be ironed out. Will it be like CBRS? Problem would be identifying which channels are in use by incumbents in a specific area.

Even with rules in place, the amount of channels available for Wi-Fi increases. The amount of channels available:

59 x 20 MHz channels
29 x 40 MHz channels
14 x 80 MHz channels
7 x 160 MHz channels

Aruba Networks Presentation slide from CWNP WiFi Trek 2018

If you would like to read more about 6 GHz please check out the following documents:

FCC Proposes More Unlicensed Spectrum

October 23, 2018 Rowell News 0 Comments

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) just proposed up to 1200 MHz of spectrum for Wi-Fi use by unlicensed devices. These devices would operate in the 6 GHz band, more specifically 5.925-7.125 GHz.

There are incumbent users of the frequency space but Wi-Fi devices utilizing that frequency, used by Broadcast Auxilary Service and Cable Television Relay Service, would only be used indoor at low power.

Having up to 1200 MHz available for Wi-Fi is great news! It provides more spectrum to a finite resource that we’re beginning to see in the 5 GHz spectrum. With 5 GHz, we are now seeing congestion. We’re limited with the amount of non-overlapping channels. And we’re unable to fully utilize 80 MHz and 160 MHz channel widths.

If Wi-Fi received 1200 MHz worth of spectrum, there would be 59 x 20 MHz channels to select from! Even at wider channels, there will be 14 x 80 MHz channels and 7 x 160 MHz channels.

The industry may be able to see the increase in throughput with more non-overlapping channels at the network operators disposal.

This is a big step forward in the right direction. Wi-Fi needs the frequency space for unlicensed devices and for the industry to innovate further.

From Aruba Networks' Chuck Lukaszewski WiFi Trek presentation

Aruba Networks CWNP WiFi Trek Conference – Chuck Lukaszewski

CTS 001: We Be Wifi Jammin’

August 25, 2015 Rowell Podcast 00:17:07 0 Comments

To the tune of $750k. That’s how much the FCC fined Smart City for jamming wifi hotspots at Smart City operated convention centers.

I’m not talking about jamming to some wifi waves.

It appears that some wireless operators don’t understand the consequences of containing wifi networks. In this episode, I talk about the subject of sending de-auth packets to hotspots, what this means for the wireless industry, and whether or not you should care.

In this episode:

  • Wifi jamming
  • FCC
  • Smart City
  • Wireless Field Day 8
  • Guest post on Cisco blog

Links and resources mentioned:

Thanks for listening!

Thank you for joining me on the 2nd episode of the Clear To Send Podcast. I actually made it past the first one!

Let me know what you think about jamming and de-auths. Do you think they are one in the same? Let me know in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it on Twitter, Facebook, Email, tell your mom, tell your friends, just share it!

See you on the next episode!

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