According to Wedoany.com, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to vote on strengthening unlicensed use of the 6GHz band and introducing a new device category called Geofenced Variable Power (GVP), covering connected wearable devices such as AR and VR gear. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced at the CES in Las Vegas that this move will improve Wi-Fi performance, enhance outdoor operational capabilities, and support the development of a new generation of wireless devices.

The proposed GVP devices are designed to operate outdoors at higher power levels than existing authorized devices, aiming to overcome the limitations of low-power technologies. They will support AR/VR devices, short-range hotspots, automation applications, and indoor navigation, among others. While GVP devices are not restricted to indoor use, they must limit their operation within specific frequency exclusion zones to protect existing licensed services from interference. Chairman Carr stated that this initiative will allow consumers to enjoy faster and more affordable wireless services, driving the development of innovative smart devices from AR/VR to the Internet of Things.