Expect significant consumer confusion about the two emerging Wi-Fi 7 variants -- one with 6 GHz compatibility, one without, ABI Research said Tuesday. It said some ISPs plan to deploy Wi-Fi 7 equipment that supports the legacy 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrums only because large numbers of 6 GHz-enabled devices won't be available to consumers until later in the decade. It said the emergence of the Wi-Fi 7 standard and new Wi-Fi consumer premises equipment product types should drive big growth in CPE equipment shipments in coming years -- from 266.9 million in 2022 to 397.4 million by 2028.

Electric utility representatives met virtually with staff from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology about a recent Pacific Gas & Electric study on the interference threat from unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band (see 2304260037). “Protecting existing 6 GHz networks remains a vital issue for electric companies because 6 GHz communications networks are particularly necessary for the safety of electric company personnel and to maintain the backbone of electric companies’ operations not only day-to-day, but also during emergencies and disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295. Among those on the call were representatives of the Edison Electric Institute, the Utilities Technology Council and PG&E.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is looking at unlicensed spectrum within higher bands, including 6 GHz, the group told the FCC. “We have started this effort with the intention of utilizing a low-power, narrowband frequency hopper (with channel bandwidths [less than] 20 MHz) that can use these bands effectively as possible while coexisting with other technologies using this spectrum,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-295. The SIG raised concerns about the FCC’s longstanding NPRM on very-low power (VLP) operations in 6 GHz. “Wideband regulations, as proposed in the current NPRM aren’t appropriate for Bluetooth (and other narrowband/low-power wireless) operations,” the group said. The Bluetooth proponents urged the FCC to complete work on the current NPRM then issue a second NPRM on rules for narrowband/VLP operations in the band.

The 6 GHz networks that critical infrastructure operations have relied on for years will now start facing interference from unlicensed use in the band, said Viasat Global Enterprise and Mobility Chief Commercial Officer Brendan Sullivan in a Utilities Technology Council webinar Tuesday. "This has been a good frequency for people to use" for point-to-point microwave links, but even relatively low-powered unlicensed use can create substantial interference, he said. UTC was among utility groups that unsuccessfully challenged the FCC's 6 GHz order before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (see 2007270067).

Wi-Fi Alliance President Kevin Robinson urged the FCC to act on the 6 GHz and other proceedings on unlicensed spectrum, in a meeting with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. In 6 GHz, the FCC should “promptly resolve the remand from the Court of Appeals and adopt its proposals in the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,” the alliance said, posted Friday in docket 18-295. The commission should authorize automated frequency coordination systems “once test plans and test factors are finalized,” the alliance said: It's also important for the FCC to “advocate in international fora, including the World Radiocommunication Conference, for the ability of individual administrations to designate the use of the 6425-7125 GHz band consistent with their national priorities.”

Lobbying continued up to the sunshine notice period on the FCC’s proposed draft on the lower and upper 12 GHz bands, set for an FCC commissioner vote Thursday (see 2304270077). Representatives of Intelsat, SES Americom and New Skies Satellites met with staff for all four commissioners seeking revisions. The satellite operators asked for language in the NPRM “to more accurately reflect current and immediately deployable potential future satellite use of the 12.7-13.25 GHz band.” They warned “continued erosion of access to spectrum for satellite services -- particularly when demand is increasing rapidly -- will impede the United States competitiveness in the global space economy,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 20-443. CTIA representatives met with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, also on the upper part of the band. CTIA supports “proposals to allocate flexible, exclusive-use licenses in the 13 GHz band, and enable providers to transmit at high power levels, which would be key to unlocking the benefits of the … band,” the group said. Doing so is important to a spectrum pipeline, CTIA said. CTIA also expressed support for requiring broadcast auxiliary service licensees “to certify the accuracy of their licenses and confirm whether their facilities are operating as authorized, and suggested extending this requirement to Cable Television Relay Service licensees in order to further efforts to free up the band for more efficient and intensive use.” Go Long Wireless President Tim Meyer spoke with aides to the four commissioners about “the promise of fixed wireless in the 12.2-.12.7 GHz Band.” Go Long “has been working for some time on deployment options, including the development of proprietary, two-way radio equipment” and “appreciates and looks forward to the opportunity to comment on the issues posed in the Further Notice portion,” the company said. The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance asked for tweaks, including “crisper” language on unlicensed use of the spectrum “to make it consistent” with the commission’s 2020 6 GHz order.

Tower company CEOs expect a strong 2023, with 5G driving carrier investments, and the major carriers all building out mid-band spectrum. Meanwhile, a CTIA official said Thursday the key to the U.S. leading on 6G is getting 5G policy right.

A new study by utility FirstEnergy warns of interference risks to utilities and other incumbents of the 6 GHz band as more Wi-Fi users take advantage of the spectrum, authorized by the FCC for unlicensed use three years ago (see 2004230059). The study follows a similar report FirstEnergy submitted last year (see 2210130051). “Additive interference was consistently demonstrated with the Wi-Fi 6E test devices,” the company said in the report posted to the FCC Wednesday. “Repeated tests performed over multiple days consistently found greater impact when multiple study test units were in simultaneous operation versus when a single unit was in operation.” FirstEnergy found interference is “already starting to impact licensed operations.”

Public safety, critical infrastructure and other 6 GHz incumbents said they met with staff for all four FCC commissioners to seek action on a March 31 letter asking for protection from unlicensed use of the band. The incumbents asked for “action” on a “longstanding petition for rulemaking, including cost recovery for incumbent licensees” in the band, “improvements in interference detection, identification, reporting, tracking, and elimination … including the creation of a centralized interference reporting point that is publicly available,” an opportunity to comment on a proposal to extend automated frequency coordination requirements to all uses of the band and “sufficient time provided for review and completion of real-world testing of AFC systems before implementation,” and other protections. Representatives of APCO, the Edison Electric Institute, the Enterprise Wireless Alliance, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Southern Company Services and the Utilities Technology Council were at the meetings, said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 18-295.

Pacific Gas & Electric filed at the FCC a new study, which it said raises additional concerns on the interference threat from unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band. PG&E “has repeatedly expressed concern about the impact of unlicensed use of the 6 GHz licensed band, and over the past two years, real-world testing and filings by a variety of utility companies, research institutions, and trade associations have validated that concern,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 18-295. The study's key finding is that “over 50 links were found to have impact concerns over the next 5 years due to the projected growth of unlicensed Wi-Fi 6E in its territory,” PG&E said: “Additionally, four links showed such severe risk for interference that they are already being moved to 11 GHz channels at significant cost to PG&E.”