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FCC Moves to Boost Wi-Fi Speed


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Seal of the Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission plans to vote later this month on a proposal to expand the portion of the radiofrequency spectrum available for Wi-Fi.

Credit: FCC

]The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote April 23 on whether to permit Wi-Fi devices to access a greater portion of the radiofrequency (RF) spectrum, which would enable superfast Wi-Fi for consumers later this year.

Silicon Valley supports the use of additional RF spectrum for Wi-Fi, claiming it would clear a path for faster home or office Internet, and expand opportunities for virtual reality and other technologies.

Access to the 6-gigahertz band could increase demand for software and connected devices, benefiting technology giants like Facebook and Apple, and manufacturers of chips and semiconductors.

Broadcasters, utilities, and other firms that use the airwaves to transmit video signals or monitor electric grids oppose the measure, warning that allowing Wi-Fi signals into that part of the RF spectrum could interfere with their operations.

From The Wall Street Journal
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Abstracts Copyright © 2020 SmithBucklin, Washington, DC, USA


 

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