The Federal Communications Commission plans to vote later this month on an order that would expand unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band by creating a new device class known as geofenced variable power (GVP). Brendan Carr said the proposal would allow higher-power, outdoor operation than existing unlicensed categories, while using geographic restrictions to protect incumbent licensed services.
The proposal arrives as CES opens in Las Vegas and targets performance limits that have constrained current low-power options. GVP devices would operate at higher power than very low power (VLP) devices and would not be confined indoors like low power indoor (LPI) equipment. The FCC said the added capability would support high data rates and mobility for applications such as AR/VR, short-range hotspots, automation, and indoor navigation.
Beyond establishing GVP, the Commission plans to seek public comment on additional 6 GHz flexibility. The notice would ask whether composite standard-power and LPI access points should be allowed to operate at higher power under certain conditions, and whether LPI access points should be permitted on cruise ships.
- FCC vote expected later this month on an order expanding unlicensed 6 GHz use
- New GVP device class would enable higher power and outdoor mobility with geofencing
- Targets applications including AR/VR, IoT, short-range hotspots, and automation
- Exclusion zones on certain frequencies aim to protect incumbent licensed users
- Further comment sought on higher-power operation and cruise-ship use cases
“By voting this month to expand unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band, the FCC enables consumers to benefit from supercharged Wi-Fi and a new generation of wireless devices—from AR/VR and IoT to a range of innovative smart devices,” Carr said.
🌐 Analysis
The move extends the FCC’s multi-year effort to extract more capacity from the 6 GHz band as Wi-Fi traffic grows and devices proliferate. If adopted, GVP could narrow the performance gap between unlicensed Wi-Fi and licensed cellular in localized, high-throughput scenarios, while the added comment items signal continued fine-tuning of power rules to balance innovation with interference protection.
