Dynamic Spectrum Alliance Q1 2024 Newsletter
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Keeping you updated about our activities! Here we highlight our latest work and focus on areas where we are empowering the next wave of spectrum access.
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Introduction from Martha Suárez
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There is no doubt that 2024 is going to be a vitally important year as we all respond to the outcomes and key discussion from WRC-23 last year, and I would like to take the time to reflect on what was a hugely significant couple of months for the DSA. Over the course of the past quarter, we have seen some major regulatory changes worldwide leading to some huge technological advancements in dynamic spectrum sharing and the adoption of Wi-Fi connectivity.
Firstly, we would like to congratulate the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its recent decision to authorize Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems in the 6 GHz band. This landmark approval of seven 6 GHz band AFC systems will enable standard power devices to access 850 MHz of spectrum and empower a wide range of enterprise and consumer broadband services. Congratulations to Federated Wireless, Qualcomm Incorporated, Inc., Sony Group Corporation, Comsearch, the Wi-Fi Alliance Services Corporation, the Wireless Broadband Alliance, Inc., and Broadcom Inc for this approval.
As you may be aware, AFC systems allow Wi-Fi 6E and 7 devices to transmit at up to 63 times higher power than those solely limited to low-power indoor operations. They ensure the protection of incumbent user operations, delivering rapid speeds and improved capacity for unlicenced applications. Following the stringent testing phase, the FCC’s decision to leverage dynamic spectrum sharing technologies and capabilities should be applauded, and the hope is other regulators will take note and implement similar processes going forward.
I also attended my first global conference of 2024, the 10th Latin America Spectrum Management Conference, in Brazil. It was a great event, and I was invited to speak about the results of the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23). The conclusions of my presentation were that the 6425 – 7125 MHz band was identified for IMT in Region 1 (Europe, Middle East and Africa), but this does not eliminate the operation of Wi-Fi devices within the band with Europe still yet to make decision of how best to utilise the band. Five countries out of Region 1 adopted a footnote identifying the bands use for IMT, however one of them is already using the band for Wi-Fi, and the use of the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi is perfectly aligned with the results of the Conference and the Radio Regulations. Notes 5.457E and 5.457F, explicitly say that the 6 GHz frequency bands can also be used for the implementation of WAS/RLANs i.e. Wi-Fi.
About WRC: It was a delight to interact with a great number of spectrum authorities and industry professionals from across the globe at WRC-23. Most importantly, as this event takes place every four years, it was fantastic to have a presence there. The conference, as expected, was extremely hard work, but it was great to see the WRC-23’s backing of the use of WAS/RLANs in the 6 GHz band across the world. We can take this as a significant win for the long-term prosperity of Wi-Fi as the whole industry prepares for the move to Wi-Fi 7.
And what a start to the new year it has been in this direction. 2024 has already seen the Wi-Fi Alliance introduce the new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7, with the powerful features required to boost Wi-Fi performance and improve connectivity across a variety of sectors.
The announcement of the United States’ National Spectrum Strategy in November is also cause for celebration. The strategy has been developed with the aim of advancing the country’s leadership at a global level, while at the same time providing U.S citizens with best-in-class services relating to advanced wireless technologies. As a result, both consumer and business wireless networks and services used in key sectors such as aviation, manufacturing, energy, transportation and space will be enriched. We all know the benefits spectrum sharing can bring in this area, so the hope is this concept will prove pivotal to the success of this strategy.
We also welcomed the new White Paper on “How to Master Europe’s Digital Infrastructure?" It is great to see the Commission is starting to take more and more Wi-Fi technologies into account, which are crucial for the future of EU connectivity and, by extension, competitiveness. Yet, there are still some clear issues with the EU’s approach to regulating the telecoms sector. If the EU wants to actively increase competitiveness and improve the future of Europe’s connectivity landscape, then they seriously need to consider consumers, international cooperation, innovation, and sustainability. Over the coming months, you can watch this space as we engage in what will be a vibrant debate in the EU on the future of connectivity.
It was very exciting to be a global partner of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the launch of its new Digital Development Strategy (DDS). As part of the strategy, the UK will partner with developing countries around the globe so that no one is left behind in a digital world. We can't wait to see the new digital development strategy come into play to provide an inclusive, responsible, and sustainable digital future for all.
I am already excited to see the future spectrum sharing successes the new year will bring, and I would like to thank all our members and partners for the excellent work they demonstrated in 2023.
Martha Suárez
DSA President
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Martha Suárez
DSA President
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DSA Congratulates the FCC on the Authorization of AFC Systems for the 6 GHz Band
February 2024
The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) congratulates the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on its decision to authorize Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems in the 6 GHz band to enable standard power devices to access 850 MHz of spectrum and support a wide range of enterprise and consumer broadband services.
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Wi-Fi Alliance® Introduces Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™
January 2024
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™ is here, introducing powerful new features that boost Wi-Fi® performance and improve connectivity across a variety of environments. Cuttinng-edge capabilities in Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 enable innovations that rely on high throughput, deterministic latency, and greater reliability for critical traffic. New use cases – including multi-user AR/VR/XR, immersive 3-D training, electronic gaming, hybrid work, industrial IoT, and automotive – will advance as a result of the latest Wi-Fi generation. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 represents the culmination if extensive collaboration and innovation within Wi-Fi Alliance®, facilitating worldwide product interoperability and a robust, sophisticated device ecosystem.
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Industry Joint Position Paper on the New Radio Spectrum Policy Programme
December 2023
The undersigned companies and organisations today state their support for a European spectrum policy that allows European citizens, SMEs and industry at large to benefit from the boost in innovation and step-change connectivity brought by the next generations of Wi-Fi. We stand together convinced of the power of Wi-Fi in conjunction with 5G, fibre, fixed wireless access, and satellite technology to support the EU’s secure digital and green transformation.
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DSA Statement on White House National Spectrum Strategy
December 2023
The DSA is pleased to see that the National Spectrum Strategy, prepared by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and published today, will expand access to advanced wireless broadband networks and drive technological innovation, specifically with regard to innovative spectrum sharing technologies.
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Blogs
Explore our latest blogs to discover the DSA’s recent work, partnerships and successes!
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The 6GHz Band: What’s Next?
March 2024
ITU’s World Radio Congress in Dubai concluded in December 2023. It included one of the most thorny topics in wireless communications – the future of the upper part of the 6GHz band, between 6425-7125MHz and whether it should be specifically identified for IMT technologies (5G and future 6G), or left unchanged.
The outcome was complex and nuanced. At face value it seemed as though the mobile / IMT industry had championed over their fixed broadband and Wi-Fi peers, as the band indeed gained this identification. The reality is a lot more complex, and we can expect continued debate – and probably slow deployment and adoption by all – in many countries and regions, especially Europe.
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The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), the industry organization that promoted the allocation of the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi, welcomed the authorization of Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems in the 6 GHz band to enable power devices standard access to 850 MHz of spectrum by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
READ MORE
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Wi-Fi 7 is Here – Just How Fast is it?
Tech Central, 16 January 2024
Wi-Fi 7 is the next frontier in unlicensed wireless communication, promising to speed up internet connections with downloads of up to 46Gbit/s – nearly five times as fast as what’s possible with Wi-Fi 6.
READ MORE
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GSOA: Band C is Key to the Future of Satellite Systems
DPL News, 07 December 2023
Several of the agenda items that will be addressed at the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference directly concern the satellite industry, because how satellite systems will work in the long term and the investments they will make depends on their definition.
READ MORE
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Regulation Forum 2024
TeleSemana.com, 24 – 25 January 2024
10thLatin American Spectrum Management Conference
Forum Global, 20 – 21 February 2024
Huddle 2024
Wireless World Research Forum, 17-18 April 2024
10th Asia Pacific Spectrum Management Conference
Forum Global, 23 - 24 April 2024
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Regulatory Affairs Work Group (RAWG) update
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As a cross-industry organization, the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance works to engage with regulators and government officials to promote the adoption of legal and regulatory frameworks that facilitate dynamic access to radio spectrum.
The Regulatory Affairs Work Group, chaired by Jennifer McCarthy from Federated Wireless, continues to develop policy positions for ratification by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, draft documents for submission to regulatory agencies and develop high-level positions on critical issues related to dynamic spectrum sharing.
Recent filings include:
January 2024
February 2024
March 2024
April 2024
The full list of filings is available on the DSA website. |
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stc Bahrain and HPE Aruba Networking Partner to Enhance Wi-Fi and Networking Technology Offerings in Bahrain
HPE Aruba Networks, 23 April 2024
stc Bahrain singed a strategic partnership with HPE Aruba Networks, highlighting their commitment to enhancing Wi-Fi and networking technology offerings in Bahrain.
The partnership will reinforce stc Bahrain’s position as a leading telecommunications provider and a world-class digital enabler, offering supior technology solutions that cater specifically to businesses’ future needs, thereby attracting and retaining business clients. READ MORE
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Federated Wireless Announces Commercial Launch of Its Automated Frequency Coordinator (AFC) following FCC Certification
Federated Wireless, 23 February 2024
Federated Wireless, the leader in shared spectrum and private wireless solutions, today announced Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of its Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system in the 6 GHz band.
To date, Federated Wireless has announced commercial agreements with Cisco, HPE Aruba Networking, MediaTek, and Airspan/Mimosa, the leading enterprise WLAN access point manufacturers collectively responsible for more than 50% of the worldwide enterprise outdoor access point market. READ MORE
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The Future of Spectrum Sharing: Insights from the New America Foundation Panels
Federated Wireless, 1 November 2023
Yesterday, the New America Foundation held an insightful event exploring the future of spectrum sharing and how frameworks like the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) are promoting innovation.
Michael Calabrese, Director, Wireless Future/New America provided an update on CBRS adoption. There are now over 128,000 active CBRS radios and Priority Access Licences grew 17% each month in 2022. While still early, progress has been promising so far. Calabrese emphasised the CBRS rules are dynamic, not static. He encouraged stakeholders to provide feedback to the NTIA to evolve CBRS over time. READ MORE
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Upcoming Events & Partnership
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Caribbean Spectrum Management Conference
14-15 May 2024
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Across 2 days attendees will have the opportunity to be involved in discussions on the key spectrum topics for the Caribbean region and beyond, through interactive sessions, networking opportunities, an exhibition area and much more.
2024 EuCNC & 6G Summit
2-6 June 2024
Antwerp, Belgium
The 2024 EuCNC & 6G Summit brings together cutting-edge research and world-renown industries and businesses, globally attracting in the last years more than 900 delegates from more than 40 countries all over the world, to present and discuss the latest results, and an exhibition with more than 50 exhibitors, for demonstrating the technology developed in the area, namely within research projects from EU R&I programmes.
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Get in touch
If you would like more information, or if your company or organization is interested in joining the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, then please email admin@dynamicspectrumalliance.org
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