The Path to Gigabit Wi-Fi Starts with the 5.9 GHz Band
Thanks to unlicensed spectrum, Wi-Fi has become the glue that binds our digital lifestyles together. It has transformed connectivity in America in just about every way possible. Wi-Fi connects us to the internet so we can conduct business, catch up with family and friends, do homework, obtain a medical diagnosis, stream our favorite shows, and much more. And our appetite for more connectivity is only growing as the number of internet-enabled devices is expected to exceed 500 billion in 2030, according to Cisco. But the traffic lanes that allow Wi-Fi to travel have become much more congested
Meet Wi-Fi 6
Most people rarely think about the Wi-Fi they use everyday, let alone how it might change or how it works. But Wi-Fi does, in fact, change and update like any other technology. The next generation of Wi-Fi network technology, called Wi-Fi 6 (the technical name is IEEE 802.11ax), will hit the market later this year and help with network congestion, deliver faster speeds, including gigabit connections like 10G, and other improvements. This new certification includes Wi-Fi connected devices from routers to smart lightbulbs to tablets. Also, Wi-Fi 6 is backwards compatible, meaning if someone buys
A Balanced Spectrum Policy is the Way Forward
Earlier this month, in response to the President's call for the development of a National Spectrum Strategy, NCTA offered our view of how America should develop a balanced plan that seeks to increase spectrum access for all users. In comments to the NTIA, we stressed the importance of adopting a strategy that enables additional uses of spectrum and protects consumers' use of certain bands that currently enable them to receive television programming. Spectrum is a critical element for service providers to meet consumers' escalating demand for seamless connectivity to all of their devices, no
A Fresh Look at the 5.9 GHz Band
It’s time for the FCC to take a fresh look at the 5.9 GHz band. After two decades and millions of dollars in wasted government subsidies, the Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) experiment in the 5.9 GHz band has clearly failed. The growth of Wi-Fi over the last two decades and the potential of this spectrum to deliver better Wi-Fi only amplify this failure in policy. The time is now for the Commission to open all or a substantial part of the 5.9 GHz band to unlicensed innovation and consider flexible options for addressing the spectrum needs of automotive technologies. Most of us use
Getting it Right on 3.5 GHz
While predicting the future is always a tricky proposition, one area that we can foresee with absolute certainty is that consumers will continue to demand seamless connectivity to all of their devices no matter where they are. But ensuring that a wide range of providers can meet this escalating demand requires creative solutions to put underutilized spectrum to work. That is why we commend the FCC, and appreciate Commissioner O'Rielly's leadership, in nearing completion of the framework for bringing to market 150 megahertz of underutilized spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band. Given the challenges in
Charter's Trials in Wireless Technologies Will Bring More Coverage to Unserved Areas
Over the past two decades, cable broadband providers have invested over $275 billion in building robust high-speed broadband networks that power the online experiences for millions of Americans every day. As a result, more than 90 percent of U.S. homes now have hyper-fast connectivity, but there are still areas where there is not sufficient access to high-speed broadband. To continue closing this gap, ISPs are hard at work looking for innovative ways to bring fast and reliable internet to such communities. Charter Communications—which spans 41 states and has invested more than $27 billion
C-band Spectrum Plays a Critical Role in Delivering TV Content and Internet Connectivity to Millions of Consumers
Every day, more than 100 million consumers enjoy their favorite TV shows, musical acts and streaming media services delivered to them via a technology path that includes satellites that hover thousands of miles above us in the sky. These satellites are used to transmit all kinds of programming and digital content from one point to another. The key ingredient that enables these satellites to deliver this programming from a production facility to your cable operator, who sends it on to your home, is wireless spectrum called C-band. But the FCC is currently considering a proposal that has the
Connecting Rural America Through Fixed Wireless Technology
In places where there are more livestock than people and where miles of land separate one household from the next, finding an internet connection can sometimes be challenging. The length of time it would take and the amount it would cost to build a fiber network in certain remote regions can make it nearly impossible to bring high-speed fiber connections to rural areas. But America's internet service providers have been working towards innovative solutions to bridge the digital divide. Some of NCTA's members have begun to explore fixed wireless connectivity as an option to connect customers in
More Spectrum, Better Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi has transformed connectivity in America in just about every way possible. People rely on the technology to access the internet to conduct their business transactions, connect with their peers, for educational or healthcare purposes or for pure entertainment value. But the traffic lanes that allow Wi-Fi to travel have become much more congested in the last few years. In order to allow Americans to continue enjoying a rich and unhindered Wi-Fi experience, especially as high-quality video streaming becomes prevalent and new technology like VR and AR continue to rollout, the nation needs
Reaching the Last Mile: Hearing on Rural Broadband Examines Solutions to Closing the Digital Divide
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives holds an important hearing to discuss the challenges and benefits of rolling out broadband to rural regions across the country in order to reach communities that are currently affected by the digital divide. We applaud members of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for opening up a dialogue that brings to the table innovative broadband solutions and approaches to connect more Americans. As we have seen, high-speed and reliable connectivity is the key to improving a community's economic vitality, education, healthcare, and growth, and rural