AFC Lab Test Success: Ahead Towards Commercial Wi-Fi 6E Standard Power

Federated Wireless, Inc. is one step closer to enabling commercial Standard Power Wi-Fi 6E operations in the 6 GHz band.

Today, we submitted our Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system lab test report – which we passed with flying colors – to the FCC for its review and approval.  AFC lab testing is one of the final stages in the journey started nearly five years ago to the day when the FCC launched the rulemaking proceeding to open the 6 GHz band to unlicensed devices on a shared basis with incumbent systems.

The final stage – the public trial period – is also nearing completion.  Federated Wireless has provided responses to hundreds of inquiries regarding channel and power level availability as part of the ongoing AFC public trial.  Once Federated Wireless submits our public trial report in early November, the FCC will be poised to complete the journey by certifying Federated Wireless to become an AFC system operator, enabling us to support commercial Wi-Fi 6E Standard Power and outdoor operations while protecting incumbent systems from interference.

Over the past five years, Federated Wireless has worked with our industry partners, including Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Airspan, Mediatek, Cisco, and other Wi-Fi Alliance and WInnForum members, in addition to a diverse group of incumbents and regulatory agencies worldwide to foster an environment of trust and open communication.  This cooperation created a solid foundation for the deployment of AFC systems and Standard Power unlicensed devices in the United States as well as around the world.  By ensuring that operational requirements are met, database management tools are efficient, and security measures are robust, Federated Wireless has helped to pave the way for a smooth and reliable implementation of unlicensed Standard Power operation.

The FCC’s decision to open the 6 GHz band to unlicensed Standard Power operation marked a significant milestone in the wireless industry.  Through the unwavering commitment of an interdisciplinary team led by Federated Wireless, industry and regulators came together to establish the operational framework for AFC systems and devices.  Federated Wireless is thrilled to have been a part of this unprecedented collaboration and looks forward to supporting commercial 6 GHz Standard Power in the very near future.

Learn more about our AFC, here.

More Articles

The Future of Spectrum Sharing: Insights from the New America Panels

Yesterday, the New America Foundation held an insightful event exploring the future of spectrum sharing and how frameworks like the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) are promoting innovation. Michael Calabrese, Director, Wireless Future/New America, provided an update on CBRS adoption.…

Read blog
Federated Wireless is recognized as a Top Neutral Host Innovator by ABI Research.

Achieving Top Innovator Status for Neutral Host Providers’ Enterprise 5G Solutions

Earning recognition as a Top Innovator in enterprise 5G from respected research firms like ABI Research requires excellence across a range of criteria. ABI asks providers to demonstrate excellence on several different standards to earn Top Innovator status. Based on…

Read blog

The Unwavering Promise of America’s Wireless Future with Private Wireless

This article originally appeared in RCR Wireless.  If the White House’s $42.5B investment in Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) signals anything, it’s this: While the 5G journey may — at the moment — appear to be slowing, our nation’s…

Read blog