President Trump Unleashes American Innovation With 6 GHz Win
FCC to Vote on Enabling Better, Faster Wi-Fi and Next-Gen Connectivity
   
WASHINGTON, January 7, 2026—Today, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the FCC will vote this month on an Order to enhance unlicensed use in the 6 GHz band.  Specifically, the FCC will vote to create a new category of unlicensed devices—GVP devices—that can operate outdoors and at higher power than previously authorized devices.  
	
As the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicks off this week in Las Vegas, the FCC’s action today in 6 GHz promises more jaw-dropping innovations and massive consumer benefits for years to come, driving growth in wireless, IoT, and related industries.  GVP devices will support high data rates suitable for AR/VR, short-range hotspots, automation, and indoor navigation.  GVP devices will overcome limitations of previous device classes by allowing higher power and outdoor mobility.  

Chairman Carr issued the following statement:

“President Trump is unleashing American innovation and leadership.  This is great news for consumers that will benefit from even better, faster, and more affordable wireless services.  By voting this month to expand unlicensed operations in the 6 GHz band, the FCC enables consumers to benefit from supercharged Wi-Fi and a new generation of wireless devices—from AR/VR and IoT to a range of innovative smart devices.  This puts America back at the forefront of technological leadership, benefiting our consumers, economy, and innovators.”

Additional Background Information:

Geofenced variable power (GVP) devices promise to overcome technical and regulatory constraints of other low power devices such as low power indoor (LPI) and very low power (VLP) devices.  GVP devices offer data rates suitable for reality/virtual reality, short-range hotspots, automation processes, and indoor location and navigation because they operate at significantly higher power than VLP devices.  At the same time, GVP devices need not be restricted indoors, as is the case with LPI.  These benefits will be made possible by restricting GVP devices from operating in exclusion zones on certain frequencies to protect incumbent licensed services from any significant risk of harmful interference. 

In addition to the proposed Order creating a new category of GVP devices, the Commission will seek comment on proposals that could provide more utility for unlicensed devices in the 6 GHz band.  Specifically, the FCC would seek comment on a proposal to allow composite standard-power and LPI access points to operate with additional power under certain circumstances, and a proposal to permit LPI access points to operate on cruise ships. 

###

Media Contact: MediaRelations@fcc.gov / (202) 418-0500
@FCC / www.fcc.gov