The Federal Communications Commission said it has opened the 6 GHz band to a new class of very low power devices (VLP), which would include advanced augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) wearable technologies and Internet of Things devices.
Alphabet’s unit Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) received approval from U.S. regulators to deploy the new set of mobile AR/VR devices, including goggles and in-car connections, according to a report from Bloomberg News.
Apple, Meta and Google are all developing AR eyeglasses and may use the 6 GHz band to connect with a smartphone, for example. Other uses may include, exchanging navigation data between smartphones and a vehicle, the report added.
“The rules will spur an eco-system of cutting-edge applications, including wearable technologies and augmented and virtual reality, that will help businesses, enhance learning opportunities, advance healthcare opportunities, and bring new entertainment experiences,” the FCC said in a press release on Thursday.
The FCC opened the 6 GHz band to the new class of VLP devices which will operate alongside other WiFi-enabled devices. However, the FCC noted that, the new rules would limit these devices to very low power levels and subject them to technical and operational requirements which will allow these devices to operate in the U.S. while protecting incumbent licensed services that operate in the 6 GHz band.
The new rules authorize VLP operations in the U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 portions of the 6 GHz band totaling 850 megahertz of spectrum. Operations at power levels lower than other unlicensed 6 GHz devices could occur anywhere, indoors or outdoors, without any need for a frequency coordination system, according to the FCC.
The Commission also proposed expanding operation of these VLP unlicensed devices to the remainder of the 6 GHz band and allowing VLP devices more operational flexibility through higher power levels subject to a geofencing system.