FCC Wi-Fi Item 4-0 OKs Seen, Some Tweaks Possible
Two FCC Wi-Fi items, on rules for automated frequency control in 6 GHz and a notice of inquiry on IoT spectrum needs, likely will have smooth sailing Thursday with 4-0 votes. Neither has been particularly controversial since drafts circulated two weeks ago, though Lumen had recent calls with aides to all four commissioners, saying the AFC rules as proposed don’t go far enough. Commissioner Brendan Carr sought a few tweaks on the NOI, but otherwise both items are expected to be approved largely as-is.
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The 6 GHz order remains controversial, with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit potentially poised to send the order opening the band back to the FCC for further work (see 2109170057). But 6 GHz incumbents support AFC and believe it should be required for all unlicensed use.
No one seems to be “pushing much for nay votes or changes,” said Michael Calabrese, director of the Wireless Future Program at New America. On 6 GHz, “all eyes are on the D.C. Circuit,” he said. “Given the arguments there, an AFC is inevitable and will take a multistep process to certify” and the notice “simply replicates” what the Office of Engineering and Technology did to certify spectrum access system operators in the citizens broadband radio service band, he said.
“Require prospective AFC system operators to identify any measures they will take to ensure geographic redundancy and high availability of all aspects of the AFC system,” Lumen urged in a filing posted Friday in docket 21-352: Require the operators “describe the actions they will take when receiving reports of interference with incumbent operations, such as making certain frequencies unavailable for standard-power access points in the area where reported interference is occurring or otherwise establishing additional protection zones." AFC operators should “describe any other actions they will take to protect incumbent microwave operations in the 6 GHz band.” It’s unclear how much, if any, of the language requested by Lumen will get OK'd, FCC officials said. The company didn’t comment.
Benefits of opening 6 GHz are becoming clear, a WifiForward spokesperson emailed: “We have products on the market and countries around the world are following the U.S.’ example. … We're pleased with the continuing forward momentum by the commission and industry.”
Broadcom and Cisco representatives spoke with an aide to acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to support the AFC item. They “noted the importance of a process that would support industry presentation of multiple AFC proposals, and endorsed the [draft's] proposed timeline,” said a Friday posting.
ACT|The App Association urged aides to Commissioner Geoffrey Starks to make 6 GHz more useful for industry and consumers. “Resolve remaining issues in its 6 GHz band proceedings as soon as possible based on the well-developed record ... indicating that proposed unlicensed use will not result in harmful interference,” the group said. ACT urged further action “to support the use of new WiFi technology for mobile operations and to permit very low power devices to operate across the entire 6 GHz band.” Members including Fresco Capital were at the meeting.
NOI
Nothing has been filed in docket 21-353, set up for ex partes on the NOI. The congressionally required NOI asks broadly about the adequacy of current spectrum allocations.
“With Wi-Fi becoming increasingly integral to our lives, the commission is astutely advancing regulatory policy to expand spectrum access for unlicensed technologies,” said Alex Roytblat, Wi-Fi Alliance vice president-regulatory affairs. The alliance will weigh in on both proceedings, he said.
“These items are the logical next steps for the Commission to take up after opening up more bands for Wi-Fi during the [Ajit] Pai years,” emailed Digital Progress Institute President Joel Thayer. The AFC notice “is simply outlining OET’s authorization guidelines, which seems to be very consistent with the specifications set in the 6 GHz order,” he said: The authorization process “means that we will soon be able to see 6 GHz in action.” The NOI is “fairly exploratory” and likely an easy vote for commissioners, he said.
“The big question ... is how well the FCC will be able to work with NTIA to free up more spectrum,” said TechFreedom General Counsel Jim Dunstan. “The FCC has done just about all it can to reshuffle the commercial spectrum ‘deck’ through reallocations,” he said. “There is virtually no ‘green field’ spectrum left on the commercial side.”