Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) expands unlicensed very low power (VLP) device operation to the entire 6 gigahertz (GHz) band (5.925-7.125 megahertz (MHz)). The VLP devices will operate with the same power levels and other technical and operational requirements that apply to VLP devices in the U-NII-5 (5.925-6.425 MHz) and U-NII-7(6.525-6.875 MHz) portions of the 6 GHz band. These technical and operational requirements are designed to prevent the licensed services that operate in the 6 GHz band from experiencing harmful interference. The Commission's actions will provide additional spectrum for high-throughput, low latency operations for these versatile portable devices.
What this rule actually says
The FCC is opening up more of the 6 GHz radio spectrum for low-power wireless devices—specifically, expanding where unlicensed "very low power" (VLP) devices can operate without a license. Think of it like adding new lanes to a highway for devices that barely whisper their signals. The rule applies the same safety limits to prevent these devices from interfering with licensed services already using that spectrum.
Who it applies to
This applies if you:
- Build hardware that transmits wireless signals in the 6 GHz band (5.925-7.125 MHz)
- Sell devices that use WiFi 6E or similar unlicensed spectrum technology
- Operate in the US (FCC jurisdiction)
This does NOT apply if you:
- Build software-only products (AI scribes, chatbots, hiring tools that run on existing devices)
- Use licensed spectrum or existing WiFi bands
- Only process data locally without wireless transmission
- Operate outside the United States
Example: If you're building an AI medical scribe that runs on a smartphone and uses standard WiFi, this doesn't affect you. If you're designing custom wireless hardware to transmit patient data, it might.
What founders need to do
- Check if you make hardware (1 day): Does your product include a physical device that transmits wirelessly in the 6 GHz band? If no, stop here—you're done.
- If yes, review your current specs (2-3 days): Confirm which 6 GHz sub-bands your device uses. The rule expands allowed areas, but your hardware still needs to meet power limits and technical requirements already established for U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands.
- Verify compliance with existing FCC rules (3-5 days): Your device should already follow these limits if it's legitimately unlicensed. If you've been operating under older rules, contact an RF engineer or compliance firm to confirm your power levels and operational parameters still fit.
- Update documentation (1-2 days): If your product qualifies for the expanded spectrum, update marketing materials and technical specs to reflect new allowed operating bands (the full 5.925-7.125 MHz range instead of the previous narrower windows).
- Monitor FCC updates (ongoing): The agency may publish implementation details. Subscribe to FCC announcements if spectrum compliance is critical to your product roadmap.
Bottom line
Ignore this unless you manufacture physical wireless hardware transmitting in 6 GHz—and if you do, your existing FCC compliance probably already covers it.