The FCC ratified Wi-Fi 6E this morning

Enlarge / Expect to see an "e" tacked onto this logo somewhere in the near future, as an additional 1200MHz of spectrum is now available to Wi-Fi 6 in the USA. (credit: Wi-Fi Alliance)

During the Federal Communications Commission's monthly meeting today, it ratified unlicensed use of the 6GHz radio frequency spectrum in the USA. This decision opens the way for the proposed Wi-Fi 6E standard to move forward.

Industry giants Intel and Broadcom began planning for this move two years ago. Broadcom released its first Wi-Fi 6E chipset in February, targeted at mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Intel hasn't released any actual products using it yet, but in discussions with Ars, an Intel rep confirmed that they're on the way.

Intel's spokesperson said that the company's own working prototype devices were part of the presentations originally given to the FCC to facilitate the decision-making process and described Intel's and Broadcom's work on devices prior to the FCC's decision as a risky but rewarding two-year investment on both companies' part.

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