Ofcom sanctions extended Wi-Fi use

Ofcom has announced its decision to extend the use of Wi-Fi to the 5.8 GHz band, allowing an additional 125MHz of spectrum.

The move follows a recent consultation - the notice of which was published in March - looking at draft regulations and proposed technical parameters for Wi-Fi in the 5.8GHz band. These included a power limitation of 200 mW per channel, a ban on fixed outdoor use, and normal WAS/RLAN channel access and occupation rules.

According to Ofcom, the proposed technical parameters were informed by the organisation’s previous, May 2016, consultation.

Speaking in the executive summary of Ofcom’s recently-published document ‘Decision to make wireless telegraphy exemption regulations 2017’, a spokesperson said: “We received 21 non-confidential responses and three confidential responses to the Notice. Some respondents commented on the policy decision to open the band to Wi-Fi, while others provided specific feedback on the proposed technical parameters.”

The spokesperson continued: “We have reviewed these comments carefully. On the basis of the responses received, we did not consider it necessary to revisit our decision to make the 5.8 GHz band available for Wi-Fi.