OET Announces Conditional Approval for 6 GHz Band AFC System

The Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) conditionally approves thirteen entities to operate automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems to manage access to 6 GHz band spectrum by standard-power unlicensed devices: Broadcom, Google, Comsearch, Sony Group, Kyrio, Key Bridge Wireless, Nokia Innovations, Federated Wireless, Wireless Broadband Alliance, Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA), Qualcomm, Plume Design, and RED Technologies.  This conditional approval begins the next phase of the process toward full commercial operations.  As these thirteen entities continue to develop their AFC systems, the next step in the approval process will entail testing to verify that they operate in accordance with the Commission’s rules.  Testing protocols are still under development and more information will be provided in future releases.  OET will approve for commercial operations those AFC systems that successfully complete testing. 

On April 23, 2020, the Commission adopted a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (6 GHz Report and Order) that made broad swaths of the 6 GHz band (5.925–7.125 GHz) available for expanded unlicensed operations, including broadband operations.[1]  The 6 GHz Report and Order adopted rules for two different types of unlicensed operations—standard-power operations and low-power indoor operations.[2]  For standard-power operations, standard-power access points and fixed client devices operate under the control of AFC systems in two portions of the 6 GHz band—the U-NII-5 band (5.925-6.425 GHz) and the U-NII-7 band (6.525-6.875 GHz).[3]  The U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands are heavily used by licensed point-to-point microwave systems.[4]  In addition, the 6.65-6.6752 GHz portion of the U-NII-7 band is used for radio astronomy observations at a limited number of observatories.[1]  The AFC systems will manage access to spectrum by the standard-power access points and fixed client devices to prevent harmful interference from occurring to the microwave systems and radio observatories.[2]

Expanded Unlicensed Use of the 6 Gigahertz Band

The 6 GHz Report and Order specified a multi-stage process laying out the steps that OET must follow to approve AFC systems.[1]  The first requirement directed OET to issue a public notice soliciting proposals from prospective AFC system operators while providing an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposals.[2]  OET is then directed to conditionally approve applicants who demonstrate their AFC systems will comply with all AFC requirements.[3]  The conditionally approved AFC systems are then required to provide a test system that will be subject to a public trial period.[4]  The trial period will include testing, both in a controlled environment (e.g., lab testing) and through demonstration projects (e.g., field testing), to provide interested parties an opportunity to check that the AFC systems provide accurate results.[5] 

On September 28, 2021, the Commission issued a Public Notice requesting proposals from prospective AFC system operators.[6]  The Public Notice requested that applicants submit their proposals by November 30, 2021, to become part of the initial evaluation process.  AFC system operator applications received after that date would still be considered, but they may not be considered concurrently with those received by the deadline.  Members of the public were invited to comment on the proposals by December 21, 2021.  In response to the Public Notice, the Commission received fourteen applications to operate AFC systems.[1]  The Commission also received 8 comments regarding the applications.[2]  Between January 27, 2021, and February 10, 2021, OET staff held meetings with representatives of each of the fourteen applicants and requested that they provide additional information regarding their applications.[3]  Thirteen of the applicants provided supplemental information, while one applicant, Amdocs, withdrew its application.[4]

Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said, “The WBA are honored by the FCC’s conditional approval to finalize development for operating as one of 13 possible automated frequency coordination (AFC) system operators in the 6 GHz band and prepare for testing.”

He continued: “This is the latest milestone in enabling U.S. consumers and businesses to take full advantage of the 6 GHz band, including for Wi-Fi 7. We applaud the FCC’s commitment to working with the industry to develop and implement innovative ways to free up the additional spectrum necessary to meet the burgeoning demand for Wi-Fi access and enable faster and better Wi-Fi.”

Read more at: https://www.fcc.gov/document/oet-announces-conditional-approval-6-ghz-band-afc-systems