By Claus Hetting, Wi-Fi NOW CEO & Chairman
The global momentum for 6 GHz Wi-Fi adoption picks up pace: As of October 22 the Republic of Chile has released the entire 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi. Chile becomes the first country in South (and Latin) America to release the 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi and only the third country to release the full 1.2 GHz swath of spectrum following the FCC’s decision in April and Korea’s decision just last month.
There is no longer be any doubt that the drive towards 6 GHz Wi-Fi is a global phenomenon and that regulators all over the world are picking up the pace of new regulation. South America in particular appears to be on the fast-track to releasing the spectrum: As of October 22 the telecom regulator of the Republic of Chile – Subtel – has formally released the full 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi.
The new regulation is stated in this official government document release. The decision makes Chile the first country in South (and Latin) America to release the 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi. The details of the regulation appears to be different than what the FCC introduced in April: According to this document Chile will permit a maximum EIRP of 1 W (30 dBm) for indoor use APs. We are still verifying the details of the regulation and will update this story when we know more.
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Peru, Colombia, and Mexico prepare for 6 GHz
Chile ranks among the more affluent countries in the region with a GDP per capita of around US$15,000 for a population just below 19 million. The Chilean home broadband market is dominated by VTR (a Liberty Global company) and Telefonica.
Meanwhile the case for 6 GHz Wi-Fi is picking up elsewhere in the region. In Peru the Ministry of Transport and Communications has released a public consultation document that includes the delicensing of the 6 GHz band – the full document can be found here. Other sources indicate that some activity towards 6 GHz spectrum reallocation is also ongoing in Colombia and Mexico.
Could Brazil be next?
The Jewel in the Crown for 6 GHz regulation in the South America region – at least from a Wi-Fi industry market size point of view – remains the vast geographical area of Brazil with a population of 210 million. The Brazilian regulator Anatel has already taken the first important step towards releasing the band but has yet to proceed to the public consultation period (which is usually 60 days).
For more details on the Brazilian road to 6 GHz Wi-Fi also see below the presentation and discussion with Anatel’s Agostinho Linhares given last month at the Virtual Wi-Fi World Congress.
/Claus.
Above: Interview with Agostinho Linhares – representative from Anatel, Brazil – on 6 GHz regulation.