FCC frees up 100MHz of spectrum for Wi-Fi

On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission took a big step toward reducing congestion and improving the speed on Wi-Fi networks with a vote that will free up an additional 100MHz in the lower part of the 5GHz spectrum for unlicensed use. Previously, these airwaves were reserved for satellite phone companies. According to the FCC, these unlicensed airwaves will now help Wi-Fi networks handle more traffic at higher speeds in congested areas like convention centers, parks, and airports.

"But Wi-Fi has become a victim of its own popularity, and now faces congestion issues of its own," FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said today. "That's why the Commission is hard at work providing spectrum for both licensed and unlicensed use. Both are critically important to our mobile ecosystem. In this order, the Commission is taking 100 MHz of unlicensed spectrum at 5 GHz that was barely usable - and not usable at all outdoors - and transforming it into spectrum that is fully usable for Wi-Fi."

According to the FCC, the new rules won't just help Internet users get higher Wi-Fi speeds and ease congestion in crowded areas, but it will encourage innovation.

"The power of unlicensed goes beyond on-ramps to the Internet and off-loading for licensed [mobile] services," Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said. "It is the power of setting aside more of our airwaves for experiment and innovation without license. It is bound to yield new and exciting developments. It is also bound to be an economic boon."

The FCC has been working on the rules for this spectrum for more than a year. The order was first introduced in February 2013. Earlier this month, Commissioner Rosenworcel encouraged the commission to finally vote on the rules.

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