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Radio local area networks (RLANs) in the 6 GHz band - consultation 37/2021

We are proposing to update the LIPD class licence to allow the use of RLAN devices in the lower 6 GHz band, and consulting on their use in the 5 GHz and upper 6 GHz bands.

Status
Now under review
Consultation number
IFC 37/2021
Days remaining 0 of 47 days
Closed
  • 1

    Consultation opens

    18 Oct 2021
  • 2

    Consultation closed

    03 Dec 2021
  • 3

    Outcome published

    10 Mar 2022
  • 4

    Submissions published

    10 Mar 2022

Key documents

Outcome

We received 25 submissions to this consultation, which are available at the bottom of this page. After considering submissions, we decided to proceed with implementing the updates to the Low Interference Class Licence (LIPD) Class Licence as proposed. Those updates are now in place, meaning that the 5925–6425 MHz band can now be used by RLANs – including Wi-Fi 6e devices – in Australia.

Further consideration will be needed on some of the other issues we consulted on, including possible updates to the use of the 5 GHz band, higher power devices in the 6 GHz band and the future use of the upper 6 GHz band (6425–7125 MHz). We expect to deal with some of these matters when we undertake our routine update to the LIPD class licence later this year. We will also continue to monitor international developments on regulatory and standardisation approaches to inform further consideration of potential use of the upper band.

A summary of the submissions received, our response, and more details on our next steps are included in the outcomes paper in the ‘Key documents’ box.

Previous consultation: The issue

In April 2021, we consulted on the use of the 6 GHz band (5925–7125 MHz) for radio local area network (RLAN) equipment in Australia. A growing number of countries have already made, or are in the process of making, arrangements to facilitate operation of RLANs in the band, mainly to enable the use of next generation wi-fi equipment, known as ‘Wi-Fi 6e’.

We are now proposing to make changes to the Low Interference Potential Devices (LIPD) Class Licence (as set out in the draft variation available under ‘Key documents’ above) to allow RLAN equipment to operate at low power levels in the lower part of the 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz) in Australia and seek comment on the draft update to the class licence.

We are also seeking additional comments on potential future uses of the upper part of the band (6425–7125 MHz), including for higher power RLAN devices and on possible changes to existing RLAN arrangements in part of the 5 GHz band (5150–5250 MHz). The paper also asks further questions about these issues, which follow on from our April consultation.

Have your say

We invite comments on the issues set out in this discussion paper.

Submissions by post can be sent to:

The Manager

Spectrum Planning Section

Australian Communications and Media Authority

PO Box 78

Belconnen ACT 2616

Consultation enquiries can be emailed to xavier.halliwell@acma.gov.au.

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