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 more unlicensed spectrum and wider channels to free up space on America's Wi-Fi highways.
Today, in a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on "The Race to 5G: Exploring Spectrum Needs to Maintain U.S. Global Leadership," Charter's Senior Vice President of Wireless Technology, Craig Cowden, testified on the importance of a spectrum policy that balances unlicensed and licensed spectrum needs to promote innovation and healthy competition. This type of approach, he said, would allow Americans to continue benefitting from a variety of wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, fixed wireless, and mobile technologies like 5G.
Charter, whose footprint spans 41 states, has invested more than $27 billion in technology and infrastructure since 2014 to build a network that extends to communities of all sizes, and to previously unserved or underserved locations. As Charter continues to investigate wireless solutions to connect more Americans, access to certain spectrum bands will be critical.
Learn more in the video below from NCTA's Vice President & Associate General Counsel Danielle Piñeres about the 5.9 GHz band--the best near-term spectrum solution that will set Wi-Fi free and help America stay ahead of consumer demand.
The Future of Wi-Fi is 5.9 GHz from NCTA on Vimeo.