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Wireless Broadband Alliance Services (WBA Services), a subsidiary of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, announced the commercial launch of WBA Services AFC, its Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) service. The cloud-based platform is fully certified by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and enables the deployment of standard power Wi-Fi devices in the 6 GHz band (5.925–7.125 GHz), while ensuring they do not cause interference to existing incumbents, such as fixed microwave and radio astronomy links.
The launch of WBA Services AFC reflects the organization’s goal to advance global Wi-Fi innovation, delivering faster, more reliable, and more secure wireless connectivity. By enabling standard power devices in the 6 GHz band, WBA Services is unlocking a critical new spectrum resource for high-performance use cases such as enterprise networking, smart city infrastructure, industrial IoT, and immersive experiences like AR/VR. AFC looks to enable more efficient use of the spectrum, benefiting not only infrastructure providers and service providers but also end users and businesses that rely on seamless wireless broadband and low-latency access.
The WBA Services AFC is based on the OpenAFC open-source specification and provides infrastructure manufacturers, service providers, and enterprises with dynamic frequency and power management based on device location and local spectrum conditions. This ensures compliance with regulatory requirements while maximizing spectrum availability and performance.
WBA believes the AFC framework is vital for enabling standard power and outdoor Wi-Fi operations in the 6 GHz band. Devices query the WBA Services AFC to determine which frequencies and power levels are permitted at their location. This enables real-time, interference-free spectrum use for high-performance deployments in enterprise campuses, public venues, and dense urban environments, without the need for additional spectrum licenses.
WBA Services AFC Delivers:
Cloud-Based Coordination: Devices communicate directly with the WBA Services AFC to receive the latest frequency guidance.
Standards-Compliant Operations: Fully aligned with the Open AFC Specification, ensuring interoperability and regulatory compliance.
Dynamic Channel and Power Management: The service provides each device with approved frequencies and transmit power levels based on its location and surrounding environment.
How WBA Services AFC Works With Devices
Location Detection: Before transmitting, a standard-power device or proxy determines its location.
Querying WBA Services AFC: The device sends this location (and other technical data) to the WBA Services AFC.
Channel Availability Check: The WBA Services AFC system checks a database of licensed incumbents/operations and calculates which frequencies are available to use in that specific location to maximize the use of the spectrum.
Authorization To Transmit: The device receives a list of approved frequencies and power levels for operation.
Regular Updates: Devices must check in with the AFC system at least once per day to stay current.
Learn more about the market for Industrial and Outdoor Wireless LAN Infrastructure, including forecasts for 6GHz adoption.