On October 4, 2024, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a press release with new rulemaking recommendations to expand the operating frequency bands for 6 GHz ultra-low-power devices (VLP devices). The proposed reports and orders will allow VLP devices to operate in the U-NII-6 (6.425-6.525 GHz) and U-NII-6 (6.875-7.125 GHz) bands in the 6 GHz band, opening up more possibilities for innovation in these technologies. VLP is allowed to operate in the U–NII–5 (5925–6425 MHz) and U–NII–7 (6525–6875 MHz) bands in the final regulation for FCC 23-86 published January,8th 2024. Therefore the fcc's proposal will open up full Wi-Fi 6e band to VLP devices.

Click this link to view the original FCC press release.

On September 6, 2024, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a Proposed Rule Making Notice (NPRM) on the Federal Release website to facilitate investments in the 3550-3700 MHz band. The NPRM contains an overview of the federal protection regime implemented by the United States National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the FCC, and seeks comments on updates to technology and services rules. The NPRM updates the original definition of exclusion zone, giving the definition of dynamic protected areas (DPAs) and adjacent areas of dynamic protected areas, and clearly requiring that the spectrum management system (SAS) cannot authorize CBSDs to work in exclusion zones, dynamic protected areas and adjacent areas of dynamic protected areas.

Click this link to view the original announcement. Comments are open until 7 October 2024.

On July 5, 2024, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to promote the integrity and security of certification programs for telecommunications certification bodies, measurement facilities, and equipment authorization. The proposed rule is essentially the same as FCC 24-58 document issued by the FCC on May 24.

Click this link to view the original proposed rule, the comment period is valid until 3 September 2024.

On May 2, 2024, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a draft proposal numbered DOC-402325A1, which was sent to nine partners in the FCC for comments. The draft would prohibit any testing laboratory or certification body (TCB) directly or indirectly owned or controlled by an entity on the Covered List from participating in any work related to the certification of equipment. The proposed rules in the draft would ensure that wireless device authorizations are not affected by any entity that is considered a national security issue. The FCC will discuss this at its May 23 meeting, and if it is approved, it will be posted to the federalregister website for further public comment.

Click this link to view the original draft proposal DOC-402325A1.

On April 30, 2024, the FCC officially published on the Federal Register website the final rule of Supplemental Space Coverage (SCS) regulations numbered 2024-06669, which allows satellite operators to use terrestrial mobile communications spectrum to operate satellites to facilitate the convergence of satellites and terrestrial networks. The new regulations will come into force on May 30, 2024. The new regulations will allow satellite operators to use spectrum such as:

• 600 MHz: 614-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz;
• 700 MHz: 698-769 MHz, 775 MHz-799 MHz, and 805-806 MHz;
• 800 MHz: 824-849 MHz and 869-894 MHz;
• Wideband PCS: 1850-1915 MHz and 1930-1995 MHz;
• AWS-H spectrum block: 1915-1920 MHz and 1995-2000 MHz.

The spectrum allocation above and has some essential changes compared with the draft regulation published in April 2023.

The regulatory announcement also mentions that 911 services will be enhanced through SCS. The FCC simultaneously posted a separate public consultation on April 30 for the way SCS facilitates 911 services, click this link to check the original public consultation.

Click this link to check the original final rule 2024-06669.

On April 4, 2024, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released draft KDB update for U-NII 6 GHz devices for VLP devices that are already permitted. This update involves the following KDBs:

• KDB 987594 D01: "987594 D01 U-NII 6 GHz General Requirement v03" replaces the previous v02r02;
• KDB 987594 D02: "987594 D02 U-NII 6 GHz EMC Survey v03" replaces the previous v02r01;
• KDB 987594 D03: "987594 D03 U-NII 6 GHz QA v03" replaces the previous v02;
• KDB 987594 D04: "987594 D04 UN6GHz PAG Inventory v03" replaces previous v02.

Click on this link to view the original KDB update.

This follows the announcement of the start of testing of the 6 GHz band Automatic Frequency Coordination System on August 24, 2023. A number of applicants conducted laboratory tests and live network trial tests in accordance with the requirements set by the Wi-Fi Alliance. On February 23, 2024, the FCC announced that the applications of Qualcomm, Federated Wireless, Sony, Comsearch, Wi-Fi Alliance, Wireless Broadband Alliance, and Broadcom have been approved for official use in spectrum management at 6 GHz. The commercial use of these systems will facilitate the use of 6GHz standard power devices and fixed terminal equipment.

Click this link to view the original FCC announcement.

On February 21, 2024, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it will vote on the plan to create cybersecurity labels for wireless consumer Internet of Things (IoT) devices at a public meeting of the FCC on March 14, 2024. The proposed plan will include a new U.S. "Cyber Trust Mark" certification and is expected to have the following key requirements:

• Marks/labels are used only if they meet the baseline network security standards;
• The label will be accompanied by a QR code that consumers can scan to get detailed information about the product's safety, such as guaranteeing the minimum support period for the product, whether there are software patches, and that security updates are automatic;
• The voluntary certification program will rely on public-private partnerships, with a third-party label management agency supervised and approved by the FCC managing activities such as evaluating product applications, authorizing the use of labels, and guiding/educating consumers;
• Compliance testing will be carried out by accredited laboratories.

Click link to view the original FCC announcement regarding the cybersecurity label vote.

On January 8, 2024, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued certification rules for "Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; and Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz". On February 6, 2024, the FCC issued additional amendments to the rule. The amendment to 15.407(d)(6) states that "all U-NII transmitters must use CBP except for standard power access points and fixed client devices operating in the 5.925-7.125 GHz band". The fixed client device was not previously included in the above description.

Click this link to view the FCC's Notice of Amendment.

On December 22, 2023, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a proposed rule numbered FCC 23-114, which was published on the Federal Register website on January 29, 2024. The proposal proposes to modify the unwanted emission limits for the 24 GHz band to better protect passive sensors in the 23.6-24 GHz band for weather forecasting and scientific research, and to allow for more commercial flexibility in the use of the 24 GHz band (specifically the 24.25-24.45 GHz and 24.75-25.25 GHz bands). For end equipment operating at 24.25–24.45 GHz or 24.75–25.25 GHz, the proposed amendment to Part 30 would limit the total spurious emissions in any 200 MHz bandwidth in the 23.6-24 GHz band to no more than -29 dBW (1 dBm), which will be further tightened to -35 dBW (-5 dBm) after September 1, 2027.

Click this link to check the original proposed rule and the public consultation is open until Feb. 28 2024.