FCC Unanimously Approves Use of 6GHz Band for AR and VR Devices from Tech Giants

FCC's decision to grant the 6 GHz band access to low power devices paves the way for faster and uninterrupted connectivity for future AR and VR headsets produced by Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Meta; 6GHz band promises to facilitate high-speed data transfer with minimized interference amid industry's ongoing efforts to make AR and VR technology more mainstream.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unanimously approved the use of the 6GHz band for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices, paving the way for faster and more reliable connections for headsets produced by tech giants such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Meta.
The ruling allows for the operation of very low power devices, including AR and VR headsets and other smaller Internet of Things devices, within the 6GHz band, ensuring minimal disruption to existing licensed uses of the band while promoting high-speed data transfer.
Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Meta have been lobbying for access to the 6GHz band since 2019. This new ruling is expected to facilitate an influx of advanced technological applications that would benefit from high-speed data transfer and minimal interference.
The decision also enables these tech giants to tether their AR and VR devices to smartphones, providing possibilities for more widespread adoption of the technology and stimulating development of further use cases.
This milestone also marks a significant step towards the potential reduction of wires and cables, as the 6 GHz band could replace wires for devices such as VR headsets, heightening the prospects for the technology to become more portable and versatile.