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FCC loosens outdoor power restrictions on 60GHz spectrum
In response to industry petitioners, the FCC is easing outdoor power restrictions on the unlicensed 60GHz spectrum, which could bring faster broadband to rural areas and cost-effective backhaul solutions in urban settings. This ruling change would permit outdoor devices to deliver high-speed data over greater distances -- around a mile at 7 Gbps, all told -- and "enhance" the unlicensed utility of the 57-64GHz spectrum. While this is the same frequency WiGig uses, indoor power restrictions haven't changed any. Because this spectrum is unlicensed, it means that basically anyone can use it as long as they follow the FCC's rules; no funny business, please. [Image credit: Rennett Stowe / Flickr]
ZTE throws weight behind WiGig, because the real fun happens at 60GHz
Venture far out into the wireless spectrum, until the familiar 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands are but flecks on the horizon, and eventually you'll come across a party raging in the middle of nowhere. There are only a few geeks dancing in the 60GHz (802.11ad) tent at present, but prototype devices are already emerging and now Chinese manufacturer ZTE has joined the WiGig alliance too. With the latest standard promising a maximum throughput of 7Gbps, potentially even for smartphones, homesickness seems unlikely.[Burning Man photo via Shutterstock]
