Starlink unveils its first Wi‑Fi 7 router
Starlink has unveiled its next-generation Router 4, the company’s first home router built around a Wi-Fi 7 chipset. Starlink says the new device delivers faster peak speeds, faster client connections and increased range, with indoor coverage of up to 3,500 square feet (325 square metres). The router is expected to become available in selected markets first, although Starlink has not yet announced pricing or a detailed rollout schedule. Router 4 replaces the current Wi-Fi 6-based Router 3 as Starlink’s most capable home networking device. According to Starlink support information reported this week, Router 4 supports up to 510 connected devices, includes two Ethernet ports, and can operate as the primary node in a Starlink mesh network alongside Router 2, Router 3 and Router Mini devices.
Published specifications so far cite 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands operation only. Oddly, that means Router 4 appears to be a Wi-Fi 7 implementation without the additional 6 GHz capacity that has become a major selling point for many premium Wi-Fi 7 gateways. Starlink has also not yet detailed which Wi-Fi 7 features, such as Multi-Link Operation, will be available. More information here.
GSMA steps up battle for upper 6 GHz spectrum
The GSMA has stepped up its campaign for regulators to reserve the upper 6 GHz band at 6.425–7.125 GHz for licensed mobile services. The GSMA says that the spectrum will be critical to the evolution of 5G-Advanced and the future introduction of 6G. In a statement issued September 7, the organisation said countries accounting for more than 80% of the world’s population now support mobile use of upper 6 GHz, following decisions taken at WRC-23 and subsequent national spectrum planning.
More than 60 mobile operators, device manufacturers, chipset vendors and network-equipment suppliers have joined the GSMA in calling for governments to make the full upper 6 GHz band available for full-power macro-cell mobile operation. The GSMA argues that the band could provide the wide, contiguous channels – potentially 200 – 400 MHz – that future 6G networks are expected to require. Read more here.
Ceva & LG launch 802.15.4ab-ready UWB silicon platform
Ceva is combining its Ceva-Waves UWB baseband IP and software with UWB RF technology developed by LG Electronics’ SoC Center. The solution targets TSMC’s 22 nm process and is intended to provide semiconductor companies and OEMs with a complete UWB subsystem rather than requiring them to assemble baseband, software and RF independently. Ceva says a major US semiconductor company has already adopted the combined solution. Its next-generation UWB architecture is also designed to support IEEE 802.15.4ab. More information here.
/Claus.
