The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote next month on a plan that will allow companies and wireless carriers to share airwaves with the government. The FCC has been working to increase the spectrum for many years and has set aside frequencies for new Wi-Fi networks.
This sharing plan was designed to make more airwaves available for future wireless devices.
“The proposal provides an opportunity to try new innovations in spectrum licensing and access schemes to meet the needs of a multiplicity of users, simultaneously,” Tom Wheeler, FCC chairman, said.
“Essentially, the government has developed an airwaves-sharing plan that would protect radar systems near military bases and the coastline while auctioning off access to the airwaves in other parts of the country. A portion of the airwaves would also be reserved for free use by anyone with an FCC-certified device that doesn’t create interference,” according to the report.
Not all companies are happy about the proposal and some are disagreeing over technicalities, such as the size of protected zones around military bases or possible Wi-Fi blocking.
“Some wireless carriers are interested in using an “LTE-U” standard, allowing them to use 4G LTE equipment on unlicensed airwaves, which can be used by anyone. Other parties are more interested in using Wi-Fi technologies on unlicensed airwaves.”
Certain companies believe the FCC should set rules to prevent Wi-Fi blocking.
The FCC will hopes to approve the plan next month.
