US FCC votes to open additional spectrum for Wi-Fi use

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to adopt new rules to open a new chunk of spectrum for Wi-Fi use as the number of devices is expected to rapidly increase.

The FCC voted to make 1,200 megahertz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band available for unlicensed use and help usher in Wi-Fi 6, the next generation expected to be over 2-1/2 times faster than the current standard.

Wi-Fi allows people to access the internet but also connects devices like thermostats, baby monitors, refrigerators, televisions and washing machines to networks.