FCC Widens Wi-Fi Airwaves Access in Win for Facebook, Google
- Vote by FCC opens 6 GHz spectrum to use by Wi-Fi devices
- Utilities say FCC move risks interference with grid controls
Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg
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Regulators voted to let fast Wi-Fi devices use a broad swath of airwaves, delivering a win for tech companies such as Google and Facebook Inc. and a setback to utilities that use the frequencies to control pipelines and electric grids.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission decided to let the airwaves band known as 6 gigahertz be used by phones, tablets, wearables and other consumer electronics as well as industrial sensors for manufacturing. The agency said it anticipates new, high-speed uses will emerge that will help secure U.S. leadership in advanced 5G services.