On January 8, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States issued a final regulation titled “Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; Expanding Flexible Use of Mid-Band Spectrum from 3.7 to 24 GHz.”
In this document, the FCC allows Very Low Power (VLP) devices to operate within the U-NII-5 frequency range (5925-6425 MHz) and U-NII-7 frequency range (6525-6875 MHz). VLP devices are restricted to operate at low power levels and must meet other relevant technical and operational requirements to avoid harmful interference to existing services operating in the 6 GHz band.
VLP devices will enable innovative uses and provide opportunities to promote emerging applications such as augmented reality/virtual reality, in-vehicle connectivity, wearable devices, healthcare monitoring, short-range mobile hotspots, high-precision positioning and navigation, and automation.
This final regulation will take effect on March 8, 2024.