Saturday, April 11, 2020

FCC Grants Internet Providers Temporary Use of 5.8-GHz Band

Responding to a surge in demand for in-home wireless internet due to work-from-home rules as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FCC has given internet service providers in rural areas temporary authority to operate wireless networks on the 5.80-5.895 GHz band. 

Amateur radio is a secondary user on this band, but the ARRL Letter reports that the FCC made clear that internet providers using this spectrum must operate on a non-interference basis and must ensure "proper protection of incumbents" in the band.