Week in Review: Big Happenings on Multiple Wireless Fronts

Noting the importance of having available and secure spectrum for new wireless applications, the Biden administration introduced a National Spectrum Strategy and issued a Presidential Memorandum on modernizing U.S. spectrum policy. Together, the efforts “lay out a blueprint for American innovation, competition, and security in advanced wireless technologies,” according to the Whitehouse.

The Department of Commerce, through the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA), developed the National Spectrum Strategy with the goal of promoting private-sector innovation and supporting the missions of federal departments and agencies.

As we noted in our coverage, the NTIA stated carrying out the strategy will expand access to advanced wireless broadband networks and technologies. That, in turn, will help the U.S. maintain a leadership position in global markets for wireless equipment and services, as well as innovative spectrum-sharing technologies.

A large part of the strategy relates to exploring the use of five spectrum bands for new applications. Some of these bands are already being used for government purposes. The new spectrum strategy proposal would make some of these bands available to the public.

Other wireless news of the week

In wireless news of another type, the Wi-Fi market continues to grow. A DataHorizon Research Wi-Fi report released this week finds that the market for Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7 chipsets was $24.1 Billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $97.7 Billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 15.1% over that time period. The market growth for chipsets is being driven by the rise in digitization and the increased use of smart and connected devices.

Additionally, the report noted that the use of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E is growing due to the benefits and improvements the sixth-generation wireless technology offers. As we’ve reported, compared to Wi-Fi 5 technology, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E support high data rates, lower latency, and higher network density. That makes Wi-Fi 6 and 6E ideal for applications that need high throughput as well as for enterprises that need to support a large number of connected devices.

Satellite wireless news

Over the last year or so, one of the most interesting areas of wireless has centered on wireless satellite services. As we noted in recent coverage, communications services that leverage Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites promise to expand communications and network services for enterprises.  

The industry has seen a rise in satellite-based high-speed Internet access, giving enterprise managers an alternative way to connect their remote users when other broadband services are not available.

In addition to such services, a newer aspect to the satellite services market that emerged in the last year has been emergency phone service when cellular services are not available. Apple now supports Emergency SOS via satellite.

Earlier this year, Qualcomm announced "Snapdragon Satellite" for Android phones. The services would, once available, give users a way to send satellite text messages from an Android phone. Unfortunately, this week, Iridium Communications, Qualcomm’s satellite communication partner for the service, announced it was terminating its agreement with Qualcomm.

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