On January 30, 2026, the FCC issued a Fourth Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (FCC 26-1) regarding the unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band. In this Report and Order the FCC sets the rules for a new category of unlicensed devices that can operate outdoors and at higher power levels than previously authorized devices. The new category of devices, called geofenced variable power (GVP) devices are expected to overcome the technical and regulatory constraints of other low power devices such as low power indoor (LPI) and very low power (VLP) devices previously authorized.
The GVP devices will be allowed to operate outdoors by restricting these devices from operating in exclusion zones on certain frequencies to protect incumbent licensed services from any significant risk of harmful interference. The new rules for GVP devices will use the same criterion by existing AFC devices.
At paragraph 63 of the R&O the FCC states; Specifically, the geofencing systems will calculate frequency-based exclusion zones using the same propagation models used by the AFC systems to avoid causing an I/N greater than the –6 dB interference protection criterion established for the AFC systems. The – 6 dB criterion was established as an appropriate threshold to protect fixed microwave receivers. Individual GVP devices will use these exclusion zones to determine where they are prohibited from transmitting on particular frequencies to prevent harmful interference from occurring.
At paragraph 78 the FCC states; We also expect the vast majority of outdoor GVP device use will occur at ground level—that is, people will use the portable devices outdoors at ground level. For such use, we find that 1.5 meters above ground level is an appropriate approximate height.
Within the 121-page document there is much reporting of the comments received during this proceeding including the protection criteria and the assumptions used to set that criteria. Anyone responsible for 6 GHz systems for their agencies is encouraged to review this document, especially Section III, Subsection E, Protection of Fixed Microwave Systems, paragraphs 63 through 98.
The full FCC document can be found here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-1A1.pdf or by searching for FCC 26-1.