United States: The FCC proposes to expand the 6 GHz operating band for VLP devices
Officially published at:2024-10-04On 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.
United States: FCC releases NPRM for the 3550-3700 MHz band
Officially published at:2024-09-06On 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.
United States: FCC announces the compliance date of the IoT Cybersecurity Labeling Rule
Officially published at:2024-08-09On August 9, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued another announcement on the Federal Register website announcing that the Internet of Things (IoT) cybersecurity labeling rule will become effective on August 29, 2024, with a compliance date of September 9, 2024, following the release of the final rule of the IoT cybersecurity labeling rule on the federal publication website on July 30, 2024.
Click this link to view the original announcement on the Federal Register website.
United States: The FCC officially released final rule for the IoT Labeling Program
Officially published at:2024-07-30On July 30, 2024 United States, the FCC published a final rule on the Federal Publication website, following the release of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) report and order number FCC 24-26 on March 15, 2024. In terms of final regulatory amendments, the document and the report published on March 15, 2024 are editorial revisions and have no substantive changes compared to the proposed regulatory amendments in the Order. The final rule will come into effect on August 29, 2024.
Click this link to view the original text of the final rule.
United States: FCC publishes proposed rules for TCBs, test labs, and equipment certification programs
Officially published at:2024-07-05On 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.
United States: The FCC is soliciting comments on the accreditation rules for TCBs and testing laboratories
Officially published at:2024-05-02On 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.
United States: The FCC has officially released the final rule related to supplemental space coverage
Officially published at:2024-04-30On 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.
United States: The FCC has issued draft KDBs for U-NII 6 GHz VLP devices
Officially published at:2024-04-04On 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.
United States: The FCC has approved the CyberTust Mark certification program for IoT devices
Officially published at:2024-03-15On March 14, 2024, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a report and order on the CyberTrust Mark Program for Wireless Consumer Internet of Things (IoT) Devices. Pursuant to a further notice on rulemaking issued on March 15, 2024, numbered FCC 24-26, the FCC will designate a number of Cybersecurity Label Administrator(CLAs) as certification bodies, with the lead certification body authorizing some CyberLabs to conduct testing. Regulations will be updated to CFR 47 Part 8, and the NISTIR 8425 report "Profile of the IoT Core Baseline for Consumer IoT Products" will be an important reference for subsequent testing standards.
Click this link to view the original FCC 24-26 notice.
United States: FCC approves automatic frequency coordination system for Wi-Fi 6 GHz band
Officially published at:2024-02-23This 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.