FCC permits consumer products to utilize more of the 6GHz band, benefiting Apple

Apple Vision Pro

Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, and other companies petitioned the FCC in 2019 to gain unlicensed access to the full 1,200 megahertz spectrum of the 6GHz band. Rules to allow unlicensed devices to use 6GHz were drafted in 2020 and have finally passed on October 19, 2023.

According to a document published by the FCC, more of the 6GHz band is available for unlicensed use for very low power device operations. The distinction for very low power devices provides protections against interference to licensed uses, like what is used for telecom.

Devices can take advantage of high speed data transfers across short distances, as long as they operate in the U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 portions of the 6GHz band totaling 850 megahertz. While this information isn't actionable for consumers, it is useful for product development that will enhance what devices are capable of going forward.

The FCC previously opened up a range of the 1,200 megahertz of spectrum between 5.925 and 7.125 GHz. That FCC decision led to the implementation of Wi-Fi 6E and will lead to Wi-Fi 7.

For example, low power device operation at a close range could apply to CarPlay systems, future AirTag models, Apple HomeKit devices, and Apple Vision Pro. Expect the 6GHz bandwidth to become more important as devices run more data hungry operations.