Propelling innovation: 6 GHz and AFC drive advancements in outdoor Wi-Fi® deployments

Wi-Fi^®’s expansion into the 6 GHz frequency band delivers more than just faster connection speeds – it fundamentally changes how networks are deployed and managed. Utilizing this additional spectrum for Wi-Fi can support higher device densities, offer better network performance in crowded environments, and reduce congestion in the existing 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Making 6 GHz available to Wi-Fi not only offers enhanced connectivity, it also encourages investments in new technology that will drive future innovations.

The challenge of outdoor 6 GHz Wi-Fi

In the United States, the FCC has allocated 1200 MHz of unlicensed spectrum in 6 GHz for Wi-Fi, presenting an unprecedented opportunity for the Wi-Fi industry. Current regulations include guidelines for Low Power Indoor (LPI) devices and Standard Power (SP) devices and state that Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band can be deployed outdoors – but outdoor 6 GHz Wi-Fi must not interfere with other systems already utilizing the band. This dynamic regulation of transmission powers can lead to numerous challenges when deploying outdoor Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, often resulting in purchasing an unnecessary surplus of access points (APs), or worse, not having enough.

Efficient planning for outdoor 6 GHz Wi-Fi 

Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems provide the solution to these challenges by coordinating the utilization of different 6 GHz channels. AFC systems, such as our choice, Wi-Fi AFC, communicate with the wireless APs to determine acceptable transmission power limits on each of the 6 GHz channels, allowing for the optimization of 6 GHz-capable AP placement and signal propagation to ensure efficient use of the new spectrum while adhering to regulatory requirements. The limits change per location, meaning AFC limits may vary significantly between different AP locations, even within a university campus or football stadium.

Planning tools also enable optimized transmission power and data speeds for outdoor 6 GHz devices. Applications like the Hamina Network Planner, for example, integrate with AFC systems to dynamically determine 6 GHz transmit power restrictions in specific locations. Based on the transmission power limits obtained by the AFC system, planner tools offer an optimal channel plan around AFC limits and also find maximal non-interfering channel widths for the access points, allowing them to maximize throughput and data rates. This protects incumbent operations while maximizing permissible transmission power levels and data transfer speeds for outdoor Wi-Fi devices in the 6 GHz band while keeping channel interference at a minimum. Watch the video below for a demonstration of 6 GHz outdoor Wi-Fi network design to learn more.

After the network installation, the 6 GHz network can be validated through a Wi-Fi site survey or APIs. 

Boosting industry progress

Integrating planning tools into AFC systems enables quick, cost-efficient deployments of Standard Power 6 GHz Wi-Fi networks. Streamlining the deployment process is essential to lowering barriers to entry and encouraging more businesses to adopt 6 GHz technology and the advantages it offers, including lower latency, improved connectivity, and enhanced device performance for users in high density environments like campus-wide networks, sports venues, and enterprise settings. The ability to deploy these networks efficiently will likely accelerate the adoption of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, as well as future generations of Wi-Fi, further driving innovation and competition within the industry.

The widespread adoption of 6 GHz Wi-Fi is poised to deliver substantial economic benefits globally. The availability of this spectrum can significantly reduce the cost of providing wireless capacity, thereby lowering prices and increasing output. This shift can further economic growth by promoting a more efficient use of resources and fostering innovation across diverse sectors. Moreover, a globally harmonized approach to allocating 6 GHz spectrum could prevent a new digital divide between regions that fully embrace this technology and those that do not. 

6 GHz advancements optimize for future innovations 

Introducing the 6 GHz band is the most significant thing that has happened to Wi-Fi in two decades. Making this uncongested spectrum available to Wi-Fi addresses the critical challenges modern networks face while paving the way for a new era of connectivity. 

Users will benefit from widespread network capacity and reliability improvements as more countries make the band available for unlicensed use. This shift will support both mainstay devices already in use, such as the vast Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem and emerging technologies like augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) that demand high-speed, low-latency connections.

The adoption of 6 GHz Wi-Fi is set to transform digital connectivity landscapes globally. As regulatory bodies continue to harmonize spectrum usage around the world, effective collaboration with technology providers will be vital to unlocking the full potential of this new spectrum.