FCC Approves Use of More 5 GHz Spectrum for Wi-Fi

The order provides for “accelerated growth and expansion of new Wi-Fi technology that can offer faster speeds of at least one gigabit per second, increase overall capacity, and reduce congestion at Wi-Fi hot spots,” the FCC said in a news release. “The new rules will make 100 MHz of spectrum more accessible for use in homes and congested spaces like convention centers, parks, and airports and increase the potential for more unlicensed spectrum innovation.”

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said the order was “a big deal,” which will “create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators, and much-needed relief to the growing problem of congestion on Wi-Fi networks.” The 100 MHz provides “more usable spectrum than the 2.4 GHz band that gave birth to Wi-Fi in the first place,” he said.

The rules both remove restrictions on indoor-only use and increase the permissible power levels at which devices can operate, the FCC said. The order also requires manufacturers “to secure their devices against illegal modification which could cause interference to incumbent users in the band,” the FCC said. As expected, the order also expands the UNI-3 band by 25 MHz on the top end. The new band is 5,725-5,850 MHz.

The economic impact of unlicensed spectrum has been calculated at $140 billion every year, said Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “Critically, we take the flexible rules that have already made the 5.725-5.825 GHz band an unlicensed success story and we expand them to the 5.150-5.250 GHz band,” she said. “While that sounds technical, this change will have real impact. Because we are doubling the unlicensed bandwidth in the 5 GHz band overnight.” Good spectrum policy requires a balance of licensed and unlicensed, Rosenworcel said. “Treating them as competing is a relic from the past, because going forward they are complementary, and more and more devices and services are bound to incorporate the use of both."

The FCC’s order addresses only the “easier” of the remaining 5 GHz bands targeted for unlicensed use, said Commissioner Ajit Pai. The FCC is also examining unlicensed use of the 5,350-5,470 MHz and 5,850-5,925 MHz bands. “If we're to keep pace with consumer expectations, we need more 5 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum, not just better use of existing 5 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum. We must redouble our efforts on making an additional 195 MHz of spectrum available for unlicensed use."

"If you want to meet the true innovators and entrepreneurs in spectrum policy, talk to the men and women in the unlicensed community,” said Commissioner Mike O'Rielly. “They can literally turn trash into treasure.” O'Rielly noted that the order also harmonizes rules for the UNI-1 and UNI-3 bands. “This harmonization will allow consumers to benefit from the new Wi-Fi standard that will increase data speeds,” he said.

Economists “have different estimates, but there is a consensus that Wi-Fi offload saves wireless companies tens of billions of dollars in network costs each year,” said Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. “Demand for unlicensed services has spiked so much that the 2.4 GHz band is now congested, particularly in major cities. We have to be ambitious in finding more ways to provide licensed and unlicensed spectrum for commercial services."

The order makes more spectrum available in the 5 GHz band for Wi-Fi and “paves the way for the adoption of the next generation of Wi-Fi technology, which engineers call 802.11ac,” said Comcast Chief Technology Officer Tony Werner. “But there is more work to be done, and today’s action is just a down payment on the full potential of the 5 GHz band. Every day, Comcast customers connect millions of Wi-Fi enabled devices to our network using one of our Xfinity gateways in their homes, one of our nearly 1 million Xfinity WiFi hotspots, or a Wi-Fi router they purchased on their own. They expect the best broadband experience possible."

Globalstar also supported the order. The satellite operator had been concerned about protecting its feeder links that also use the 5.1 GHz band. “This decision was the result of hard work and a focus on good public policy by the Commission and its staff,” General Counsel Barbee Ponder said in a written statement. “Today’s decision also represents a significant victory for Cable and other unlicensed interests who have been given access to substantial additional spectrum. While we look forward to reviewing the actual order once it is released, we understand that the Commission has also properly acknowledged its obligation to protect Globalstar and its customers from any harmful interference caused by unlicensed users and established meaningful safeguards to ensure that any harmful interference is eliminated if it occur.”