Conditional Approval of 13 AFC System Operators
On November 2, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) released Public Notice DA 22-1146 in ET Docket No. 21-352, granting conditional approval to thirteen entities proposing to operate Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems. These systems will manage frequency access for standard-power unlicensed devices and fixed client devices operating in portions of the 6 GHz spectrum band.
The conditional approval marks the progression from initial application reviews to the technical testing phase necessary prior to full commercial operations. Fourteen entities originally submitted proposals following a September 2021 solicitation. Following meetings and supplemental filings with OET staff, one applicant, Amdocs, withdrew its proposal, leaving thirteen approved entities.
- Broadcom
- Comsearch
- Sony Group
- Kyrio
- Key Bridge Wireless
- Nokia Innovations
- Federated Wireless
- Wireless Broadband Alliance
- Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA)
- Qualcomm
- Plume Design
- RED Technologies
Spectrum Framework and Operating Parameters
Under the rules established in the Commission's 6 GHz Report and Order (ET Docket No. 18-295), AFC systems are mandated to prevent harmful interference to incumbent licensed point-to-point microwave systems and radio astronomy observatories. Standard-power access points and fixed client devices are permitted to operate outdoors or at power levels exceeding low-power indoor limits exclusively under the control of an AFC system in two specific segments: U-NII-5 (5.925–6.425 GHz) and U-NII-7 (6.525–6.875 GHz).
- Standard-Power Access Point (AFC Controlled): Maximum EIRP of 36 dBm; Maximum EIRP Power Spectral Density of 23 dBm/MHz across U-NII-5 and U-NII-7.
- Fixed Client (AFC Controlled): Maximum EIRP of 36 dBm; Maximum EIRP Power Spectral Density of 23 dBm/MHz across U-NII-5 and U-NII-7.
- Client Connected to Standard-Power Access Point: Maximum EIRP of 30 dBm; Maximum EIRP Power Spectral Density of 17 dBm/MHz across U-NII-5 and U-NII-7.
- Low-Power Access Point (Indoor Only): Maximum EIRP of 30 dBm; Maximum EIRP Power Spectral Density of 5 dBm/MHz across U-NII-5, U-NII-6 (6.425–6.525 GHz), U-NII-7, and U-NII-8 (6.875–7.125 GHz).
- Client Connected to Low-Power Access Point: Maximum EIRP of 24 dBm; Maximum EIRP Power Spectral Density of -1 dBm/MHz across U-NII-5, U-NII-6, U-NII-7, and U-NII-8.
Conditions for AFC System Operators
The conditional authorization granted by OET subjects all thirteen AFC operators to explicit operational, technical, and regulatory requirements before they can receive final commercial certification.
- Compliance with all current and future Commission rules, instructions, and OET directives issued under 47 CFR § 0.241(k).
- Mandatory participation in workshops and technical meetings convened by the Commission or OET covering system operations, development, and testing procedures.
- Ensuring any third-party or proprietary specifications (such as Wi-Fi Alliance or WinnForum standards) comply fully with FCC rules and submitting them to OET for review.
- Completion of lab testing and demonstration projects pursuant to guidance to be issued in forthcoming Public Notices.
- Prompt response to all OET inquiries during test data evaluation and implementation of requested technical modifications.
- Strict prohibition on making AFC systems available for commercial operation prior to final written authorization from OET.
- Immediate response to information requests or operational directions issued by the Commission, including the Enforcement Bureau, such as discontinuing device access in designated geographic areas.
Technical Determinations and Resolution of Commenter Issues
Addressing concerns submitted by incumbent microwave operators and trade groups including AT&T, Verizon, UTC/EEI, APCO, and FWCC, OET concluded that applicants submitted sufficient information to proceed to the testing stage. OET clarified that device-specific verification (such as internal geolocation security and firmware integrity) remains governed by the Commission's equipment authorization process handled by Telecommunication Certification Bodies rather than by the AFC system itself.
Regarding security, OET confirmed that operators adequately demonstrated protections by hosting platforms within commercial cloud environments with controlled access or secure data centers. AFC-to-device communications are required to implement the Wi-Fi Alliance AFC System to AFC Device Interface Specification using Transport Layer Security (TLS) version 1.2 or higher.
For propagation modeling, the rules require free-space path loss for distances up to 30 meters, the WINNER II model with site-specific or probabilistic path evaluation between 30 meters and 1 kilometer, and the Irregular Terrain Model (ITM) with 1 arc-second terrain data and ITU clutter models (ITU-R P.2108 for urban/suburban and ITU-R P.452-16 for rural) for distances beyond 1 kilometer. OET specified that a minimum baseline parameter of 50% confidence and 50% reliability will apply, though operators may voluntarily implement more stringent protection levels.
On the issue of building entry loss for standard-power devices located indoors, OET declined to adopt a blanket adjustment at this stage due to the lack of professional installation requirements and the current maturity of indoor-location verification methods. However, the Commission noted it will consider waiver requests that demonstrate adequate containment, incumbent protection, and coordination mechanisms.
Testing Phase and Public Demonstration Trials
Before receiving final commercial operational authority, conditionally approved systems must undergo both controlled laboratory evaluations and public demonstration trials.
Lab testing will assess AFC compliance against test vectors covering diverse fixed microwave locations, separation distances, international border protections with Canada and Mexico, and radio astronomy protection zones. FCC-recognized accredited test laboratories that have CBSD certification approval under the WinnForum Citizens Broadband Radio Service framework are authorized to perform AFC system lab testing without requiring separate OET approval.
Following lab testing, each AFC operator must conduct a public trial lasting for a designated period (such as 30 days) by hosting a public-access website. The interface will permit users and incumbent licensees to input device coordinates, elevation, and location uncertainty to verify channel availability and maximum power computations, submit technical inquiries, and receive operator responses before final reports are reviewed by OET.