by Claus Hetting, WiFi NOW CEO & Chairman
Ofcom opens another 160 MHz of upper half 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi
UK communications regulator Ofcom has formally approved an additional 160 MHz of 6 GHz spectrum to Wi-Fi, extending the available frequency range from 5925–6425 MHz to 5925–6585 MHz. The new regulations – announced October 30 – take effect November 10, 2026, Ofcom said in its official statement here. Importantly, the additional spectrum will be available for low-power indoor Wi-Fi and very-low-power devices without requiring Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC).
This increases the UK’s licence-exempt 6 GHz Wi-Fi allocation by 32%, providing additional capacity for Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8 – and future Wi-Fi generations. The decision implements part of Ofcom’s broader Upper 6 GHz spectrum-sharing strategy, which prioritises Wi-Fi in the 6425–6585 MHz range while assigning priority to mobile services in the remaining 540 MHz up to 7125 MHz. Under Ofcom’s framework, standard power and outdoor Wi-Fi operation will require AFC, which can also enable controlled Wi-Fi access to mobile-priority spectrum. The UK is thus moving ahead with a pragmatic spectrum-sharing model that accommodates both Wi-Fi and mobile services, thereby offering an alternative to the more restrictive approaches currently being considered by the EU.
FCC bans Chinese testing labs from US wireless device certification
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted new rules restricting wireless device testing and certification to laboratories in the United States and countries offering reciprocal recognition of US testing facilities. The restrictions take effect December 1, 2028. The details of the decision can be found here. The decision effectively excludes China-based laboratories from certifying Wi-Fi routers, access points, smartphones, and other wireless equipment for the US market.
According to the FCC, approximately 82% of electronic devices were previously tested in China. The changes could significantly reshape the global wireless testing industry, creating new opportunities for testing equipment suppliers and accredited laboratories outside China.
Cisco launches world’s first quantum-resilient Wi-Fi 7 access point
Cisco has introduced what it calls the industry’s first ‘quantum-resilient Wi-Fi 7 access point’, designed to protect enterprise wireless networks against future threats from quantum computing. Announced October 26, the Cisco Wireless CW9176ISEC Wi-Fi 7 access point now incorporates quantum-safe security capabilities aligned with emerging government security requirements, including the US National Security Agency’s CNSA 2.0 standards.
For secure end-to-end security, Cisco is also collaborating with Qualcomm, Intel, and Microsoft to enable post-quantum cryptography (PQC) over wireless connections. The solution combines Qualcomm-powered access points with Intel Wi-Fi chipsets and drivers and Microsoft Windows software. Availability is planned for January 2027.
The announcement marks an important step toward protecting enterprise wireless infrastructure against future quantum-enabled cyberattacks. Cisco is also expanding its security capabilities across wireless controllers and campus gateways, bringing quantum resilience to a broader range of enterprise networking products. HPE brings Mist, Aruba Central and EdgeConnect together in major step towards self-driving networks
HPE brings Mist and Aruba Central closer together, accelerating self-driving
HPE has announced a major integration of its enterprise networking platforms, bringing HPE Mist, HPE Aruba Central, and HPE Networking EdgeConnect together under a common agentic AI framework. Announced October 27, the integration combines wireless LAN, wired networking, WAN, and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) capabilities to deliver unified network visibility, automated troubleshooting, and improved application performance.
At the centre of the strategy is HPE Marvis, the company’s AI networking engine, which uses predictive analytics and agentic AI to identify and potentially resolve network problems before users are affected. The announcement represents another important step in HPE’s integration of the former Juniper Networks portfolio with Aruba Networking, accelerating its ambition to deliver self-driving enterprise networks. EdgeConnect integration with HPE Mist is planned for 2026, while integration with HPE Aruba Central is expected during the first half of 2027. The move further intensifies competition in AI-driven enterprise networking.
India’s mobile operators push for higher-power outdoor 6 GHz Wi-Fi
India’s leading mobile operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea are urging the government to permit higher-power outdoor Wi-Fi operation in the Lower 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz). The operators, represented by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), want the government to implement recommendations allowing standard-power outdoor transmissions at up to 36 dBm.
India already permits licence-exempt low-power indoor and very-low-power outdoor Wi-Fi operation in the band. Higher-power operation could extend wireless broadband coverage, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where fibre deployment is expensive or impractical. COAI argues that standard-power Wi-Fi could enable cost-effective Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and point-to-multipoint broadband services. However, India’s space agency ISRO has raised concerns about potential interference with satellite communications. The proposal remains subject to government approval and could significantly expand the role of Wi-Fi in India’s broadband infrastructure.
/Claus.
