FCC Considers 6 GHz Band Critical to Future of Wi-Fi, Pai Tells MWC

A proposal for sharing the band faced substantial pushback from incumbents when the FCC took comment earlier this year. Conventional wisdom is Pai has the votes for opening the swath for Wi-Fi (see 1902250054). The C band for licensed use grabbed most recent spectrum headlines, and Pai has been relatively quiet on 6 GHz in recent months.

“There is always going to be a demand” for spectrum “and that demand is only going to ramp up as we see some of these high bandwidth applications come online,” Pai said, listing virtual reality, augmented reality and high-speed video. “We want to try to stay ahead of the curve to the extent that we can,” he said. “Some people might think, ‘Well, what’s the big deal?’” Pai said: “The same was said of Wi-Fi just a generation ago. Look at all the economic growth, job creation, and applications and services that have resulted from that.” Wi-Fi 6 will mean similar growth, he said.

Pai said protecting the 5G supply chain is critical and the U.S. government is “united” in that view. Pai said he stressed the importance of security in meetings with government officials globally: “That message has been very well-received. To the extent that 5G networks are going to be largely software-defined networks, there is a broader attack service, so to speak, and we need to make sure that we mitigate the risks.” Other countries are willing to share information and work with America, Pai said.

Pai said there's broad bipartisan support for an FCC proposal to bar use of USF money to buy equipment or services from companies that “pose a national security threat” to U.S. communications networks or the communications supply chain (see 1804170038). It’s an important issue for policymakers, “here and abroad, to think about,” he said.

U.S. carriers are building 5G networks using only trusted vendors, Baker told Pai. “That we can do it is showing Europe it can be done." Pai said no nation has to choose between security and leadership in 5G. “Look at the U.S. experience,” he said. “That’s a message that … has resonated largely around the world.”

Pai isn't backing down from a demand major carriers implement secure handling of asserted information using tokens and secure telephone identity revisited (Shaken/Stir) technology by year's end (see 1906060056). “We’re making a lot of progress,” he said. Consumers mightn't immediately notice, but unwanted robocalls will decrease “substantially,” he said.

The 6 GHz comments were seen as good news by Wi-Fi advocates.

Wi-Fi Needs Spectrum

"While technology companies are ready with a new generation of Wi-Fi … absent additional radio spectrum our unlicensed bands are going to become crowded, threatening to impair the next generation of Wi-Fi before it can make its mark,” emailed Jeff Campbell, Cisco vice president-government affairs and technology policy. “It’s very encouraging to see Chairman Pai’s leadership on this issue, understanding the technological potential and societal benefits that can be unlocked from the allocation of 6 GHz unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi use,” he said. “With the careful and detailed proposals made by unlicensed proponents, unlicensed use can successfully coexist with the services already present in the 6 GHz band, and we know that can be of great benefit to everyone.”

“Pai has put together an ambitious next-generation wireless playbook,” said Chris Szymanski, Broadcom director-product marketing and government affairs: “This rulemaking could unleash crucial spectrum for critical low latency Wi-Fi, immersive AR/VR experiences and the connected factories and cities of the future. The tech industry and American consumers have been waiting for new spectrum and it looks like this chairman gets it.”

“It would be impractical and counter-productive to license low-power, indoor uses of the 6 GHz band,” said High Tech Forum founder Richard Bennett. “Where signals are largely confined to small footprints, unlicensed regimes provide significant benefits to innovators and consumers," he said: “Not only will unlicensed 6 GHz be good for Wi-Fi, it will promote successors to current Wi-Fi standards with greater efficiency and security.”

Baker highlighted how quickly 5G has moved. Two years ago, Baker saw a 5G prototype on the show floor. “It was the size of a small car,” she said: “Now, 5G is in my pocket.” The U.S. has the first and the fastest 5G, she said. Labs are looking at 5G across the U.S. and “industries are starting to respond,” she said. “These innovations will move from the lab to our lives in no time.”

US Cellular is rolling out 5G in Wisconsin and Iowa, using 600 MHz, along with possibly some of the high band spectrum it bought in recent auctions, said CEO Kenneth Meyers, also CTIA chairman. “We are beginning the 5G race with everyone else.” The smaller and mid-sized cities US Cellular serves have college campuses and industrial bases, Meyers said. “Some of them have real forward-leaning leaders that, already in smaller towns, want to know about smart cities.”

US Cellular won licenses in two high-band auctions but remains skeptical, Meyers said. “That’s what was for sale, so we bought it,” he said: “We’ll be able to use it judiciously, in certain spots, to deliver the service.” Industry really needs more mid-band spectrum quickly, he said. “We’ll just never get the coverage out of [high band] that we need.”

Meyers predicted 5G will be deployed faster than earlier generations: “This industry has been phenomenally successful every time it made a technology change.” No one expected what would happen in the move from 3 to 4G, he said. The wireless industry also created a huge “ecosystem” around it, he said: The MWC includes innovators waiting for new capabilities. Competition is a driver, Meyers said. “This is about the most competitive industry I’ve ever seen,” he said: “We are all running to put 5G out there."