# 2026-03744: FCC Unlocks 6 GHz WiFi Power with Smart Geofencing Magic

2026-03744, Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz, is a Federal Register rule from Federal Communications Commission published 2026-02-25, effective 2026-04-27 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03744
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-03744
- Title: Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Federal Communications Commission
- Citation: 91 FR 9140
- Published: 2026-02-25
- Effective: 2026-04-27
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FCC Unlocks 6 GHz WiFi Power with Smart Geofencing Magic

## Summary

The FCC is opening up more of the 6 GHz band for unlicensed devices that use smart geofencing to avoid interfering with important services like microwave links and radio telescopes. Starting April 27, 2026, these devices can operate at higher power but must stay out of restricted zones using location tech. This change helps tech companies and users get faster, more reliable wireless connections without messing up other signals.

## Abstract

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) adopts rules allowing unlicensed geofenced variable power (GVP) devices to operate in the U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 portions of the 6 GHz band (5.925-7.125 GHz) at up to 11 dBm/MHz EIRP power spectral density and 24 dBm EIRP. GVP devices must use geofencing systems to prevent harmful interference to licensed microwave links and radio astronomy observatories. The geofencing systems will calculate exclusion zones where GVP devices cannot operate on specified frequencies. Each GVP access point must have a geolocation capability to determine its location and avoid operating on prohibited frequencies within the exclusion zones. Client devices must operate 6 dB below the access point's authorized power. These rules permit the GVP devices to operate at higher power than very lower power 6 GHz band unlicensed devices.

## Effects PRIA read

- Higher‑power 6 GHz unlicensed access allowed: benefit, medium. Starting April 27, 2026, the FCC allows geofenced variable power (GVP) unlicensed access points to operate in the U-NII-5 (5.925–6.425 GHz) and U-NII-7 (6.525–6.875 GHz) bands at up to 11 dBm/MHz EIRP power spectral density and 24 dBm EIRP. The FCC says this higher power is intended to let new cons…
- Client devices limited to 6 dB lower power: mixed, medium. The FCC requires GVP client devices to operate at least 6 dB below their controlling GVP access point. The rule caps GVP client device power at 5 dBm/MHz EIRP PSD and 18 dBm EIRP while access points may be authorized up to 11 dBm/MHz EIRP PSD and 24 dBm EIRP.
- Geofencing and geolocation required for access points: cost, medium. GVP access points must use geolocation and work with geofencing systems that calculate exclusion zones (using AFC-style propagation models) to avoid interfering with microwave links and radio astronomy. Commenters warned that adding geofencing will require device makers to add new hardware and soft…
- GVP limited to U-NII-5 and U-NII-7 bands: mixed, medium. The FCC is allowing GVP operation only in the U-NII-5 (5.925–6.425 GHz) and U-NII-7 (6.525–6.875 GHz) portions of the 6 GHz band and is deferring consideration of GVP for the U-NII-6 and U-NII-8 bands used by BAS/CARS and some low power auxiliary stations. Existing BAS/CARS and related mobile broad…
- Non‑geofenced VLP rules remain unchanged: cost, low. The FCC is not increasing general (non‑geofenced) very low power (VLP) device limits; non‑geofenced VLP operations remain limited to the existing -5 dBm/MHz EIRP PSD and 14 dBm EIRP rules. The GVP rules apply only to devices operating under geofencing systems.

## Related documents

- [2026-20591](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20591): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20590](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20590): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20676](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20676): Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20607](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20607): Information Collections Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20681](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20681): Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget, 2026-10-08
- [2026-20486](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20486): Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission, 2026-10-06

## Sources
- [2026-03744 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/25/2026-03744/unlicensed-use-of-the-6-ghz-band-expanding-flexible-use-in-mid-band-spectrum-between-37-and-24-ghz)
- [2026-03744 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-25/pdf/2026-03744.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-03716, Rescinding 30-Day Notification Requirements Related to Eviction Based on Nonpay…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03716)
- [Next: 2026-03779, Managed Care](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03779)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03744 (as of 2026-06-11).