Comments are due May 25, replies June 9, on the one part of the agency’s 2020 6 GHz order on which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit asked the FCC for further explanation. The FCC made clear in a notice last month (see 2203110046) it wants comments only on “broadcasters’ experience in the 2.4 GHz band, how that experience relates to the kinds of contention-based protocol operations prescribed for indoor use in the 6 GHz rules, and whether the 2.4 GHz experience warrants reservation of a portion of the 6 GHz band for mobile indoor operations or any other modification to the Commission’s 6 GHz rules.” The main docket is 18-295, said a Monday Federal Register notice.

Acting on the 6 GHz automated frequency coordination system operator approval process is important to “the overall success of the ban,” a representative of Cisco and Hewlett Packard Enterprise said in a call with an aide to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “When assigning channels AFCs should consider all relevant technical parameters, including the appropriate propagation model, confidence intervals, reliability factors, building entry loss, and power,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 18-295. In December, 14 organizations sought FCC certification to be an AFC system operator in the band (see 2112010002).

The FCC approved 4-0 a notice of inquiry asking questions about standards for receivers. As expected (see 2204190053), the main change from what Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated were questions on encouraging innovation for both receivers and transmitters, added at Commissioner Geoffrey Starks' request. Commissioner Nathan Simington has made the issue one of his top focuses since he joined the FCC.

T-Mobile wants to explore the use of the 6 GHz band in its operations. The carrier sought special temporary authority to run tests to “evaluate additional Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and performance utilizing 6 GHz spectrum” in the Alexandria and Falls Church, Virginia, markets. T-Mobile said in its application it hopes to start the tests now, to run through Sept. 1.

Representatives of Broadcom, Kyrio and the Wi-Fi Alliance asked the FCC to start approving automated frequency control operators for the 6 GHz band, in a call with Office of Engineering and Technology staff. “The next steps are for OET to conditionally approve applicants that demonstrate that their proposed systems would comply with all AFC requirements and begin the trial period,” said a filing posted Friday in docket 18-295: “There’s no reason to delay granting conditional approvals.”

Market share of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E will reach 58% this year, passing Wi-Fi 5, said TrendForce Wednesday. Wi-Fi 6E, which supports 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and can also operate in the 6 GHz band, is designed to reduce network congestion and interference through more numerous, wider and non-overlapping channels, said the research firm. More automotive, IoT and AR/VR tech is expected to enter the consumer market this year, creating additional demand for high-quality Wi-Fi, while smart home and smart lighting are among the fastest growing consumer segments, it said. Shipments of Wi-Fi-based smart home gear are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18% from 2021 to 2026, driving applications including AR/VR, cloud gaming, 4K videoconferencing and 8K streaming media, it said. By 2025, the share of smartphones supporting Wi-Fi 6 and 6E is estimated to exceed 80%.

NCTA representatives urged the FCC to wrap up a 2020 Further NPRM on proposed changes to rules for the 6 GHz band (see 2204080042), increasing the power limit for low-power indoor (LPI) access points (APs), in a virtual meeting with staff from the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology and Office of the General Counsel. “The Commission can quickly deliver expanded benefits to consumers because many 6 GHz LPI APs that are already being deployed will be tunable to that higher power level,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 18-295: “A power limit of 8 dBm/MHz [power spectral density] for LPI APs will significantly increase the value and benefits of 6 GHz Wi-Fi for U.S. consumers and businesses without increasing the risk of harmful interference to incumbent users in the band.”

Almost two years after FCC commissioners approved a Further NPRM allowing more widespread use of the 6 GHz band, the agency hasn’t finalized the rules. To some industry experts, the delay has been a surprise. The agency appeared close to acting at the end of the Trump administration (see 2012180057). Later speculation was that an order would have to wait for a ruling on a challenge to the broader order before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (see 2104160053).

NCTA and CableLabs urged the FCC to follow up on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s December decision upholding the FCC’s 6 GHz order (2112280047) by finalizing rules proposed two years ago on higher power use of the band by devices operating indoors (see 2004230059). By acting on the 6 GHz Further NPRM, “the Commission can quickly deliver expanded benefits to consumers because many 6 GHz” access points “that are already being deployed will be tunable to that higher power level,” said a filing posted Monday in docket 17-183. The groups made their case in a call with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Representatives of the 5G for 12 GHz Coalition discussed changing the rules for the band so it can be used for 5G, in meetings with aides to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. The coalition “explained that its efforts to encourage the Commission to open up the 12.2-12.7 GHz band for two-way terrestrial, 5G mobile service, and opportunistic use continues to gain support from a wide array of policy thought leaders, public interest groups, and service providers,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 20-443. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s December decision upholding the FCC’s 6 GHz order (2112280047) “reaffirmed the Commission’s authority as primary spectrum regulators and leading experts to assess interference and rejected arguments that spectrum sharing should be prohibited unless zero interference is found,” the coalition said.