The Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) filed reply comments today urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to refine its 6 GHz rules to better protect licensed operations, which often support critical infrastructure, while still enabling expanded unlicensed use of the band.
To achieve these objectives, EWA urged the Commission to re-evaluate and revise its Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) propagation model. A recent U.S. Department of Energy study revealed licensed 6 GHz microwave links are severely under-protected from interference when unlicensed devices have a line-of-sight to the centerline of a microwave path.
EWA also supported more narrowly defined requirements for cruise ships. Recommendations include limiting 6 GHz low-power indoor (LPI) access points to vessels carrying at least 500 passengers and prohibiting use within the Gulf of America Energy Operations Area (GOAEOA) where offshore oil and gas facilities rely on intensive use of 6 GHz links for the safety of crews and highly technical production activities.
EWA is an FCC-certified frequency advisory committee that provides license preparation, spectrum management and associated services to business enterprises, private carriers, public safety entities and wireless sales and service organizations. Membership within EWA is open to users of wireless communications systems, vendors, system operators and service organizations. Additional information about membership and services is available at www.enterprisewireless.org.