The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a rule change regarding the high frequency 57-64 GHz band in a decision that could bring faster, more cost-effective broadband services to both rural and urban areas.
FCC acting chairman Mignon Clyburn and commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai unanimously approved changes to the commission’s Part 15 rules last week that will raise emission limits for 60-GHz services and equipment, including short-range, outdoor point-to-point systems.
Allowing longer communication distances for unlicensed 60-GHz point-to-point systems will create additional competition in the broadband market and lower-cost, higher-capacity commercial and consumer wireless services, Julius Knapp, chief of the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology, told Information Week.
In addition, says Knapp, other benefits, such as the ability to transfer signals between buildings without the need to install fiber optic cables, will also be made available. The new changes serve to accommodate devices compliant with the IEEE 802.11ad (WiGig) standard adopted January 2013 that are anticipated later this year.
The FCC also approved changes to Part 25 of the commission’s rules, in order to promote more rapid deployment of new satellite services to the public for use in remote locations and emergency situations.
