IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vubiq Networks, Inc., the leading innovator in V-Band wireless broadband solutions, today announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Report and Order on July 14, 2016, officially adopting new rules for wireless broadband operations at frequencies above 24 GHz. Of particular interest for the millimeter wave backhaul market are the new rules affecting the 60 GHz spectrum, also known as V-Band. Previously, the 60 GHz band in the U.S. was allocated for unlicensed operation covering from 57 to 64 GHz, a total of 7 GHz of bandwidth. With the adoption of the new rules, the band has been expanded to cover 57 to 71 GHz, a total of 14 GHz of contiguous unlicensed spectrum.
“The importance of this ruling cannot be overstated,” said Mike Pettus, Founder and CTO of Vubiq Networks. “The FCC has shown overwhelming support for unlicensed millimeter wave operation. This action validates our company’s focus on V-Band, which has now been greatly expanded.”
The new portion of the band that has been added, from 64 to 71 GHz, has another bonus feature: no more oxygen absorption. “This means that the distance that can be achieved by a link operating in the upper portion of the new band will be on par with links using the licensed E-Band spectrum in the 70/80 GHz range, but with less rain fade due to the lower operating frequencies,” explained Mr. Pettus.
The history of making 60 GHz a reality started in early 1996 when Mr. Pettus joined the newly formed industry advisory committee to the FCC called the Millimeter Wave Communications Working Group, the result of which finally became the 60 GHz unlicensed rules under Part 15 in 1998. It has been this consistent drive and focus in understanding the innovative value of unlicensed operation, combined with the natural high capacity of millimeter wave spectrum that has shaped Vubiq Networks’ strategy.
“I knew that ultimately bandwidth was the key that would motivate our future in wireless performance, and bandwidth is the real value of the millimeter wave frequencies,” said Mr. Pettus. “We were especially keen to participate in this FCC proceeding, and are delighted with the positive response from the commission.”
“We will now be able to build millimeter wave systems performing with the range of E-Band but with the operational ease of unlicensed V-Band,” said John Dilworth, CEO of Vubiq Networks. “The FCC has clearly shown the vision that unlicensed millimeter wave has a big future for wireless broadband.”
In an accompanying statement to the Report and Order from FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, he states that, “On my first day as Chairman, I described the FCC as the nation’s ‘Optimism Agency.’ Today’s Spectrum Frontiers Order is exactly what I had in mind when I made that statement.”
As Vubiq Networks moves forward on multi-gigabit link designs, having the new rules allowing operation in an unprecedented 14 GHz of unlicensed spectrum will allow technical innovation that has not been seen before. Transitioning from Software-Defined Radios to a new era of Software-Defined Spectrum will provide unparalleled performance and features that have simply not been possible in the past.
“Coupling new technology with the new V-Band allocation will be the key – and Vubiq Networks will be at the nexus,” concluded Mr. Pettus. “Our tenure and proven expertise in V-Band have us poised to leverage this important ruling.”
For further information on the Report and Order, see FCC GN Docket No. 14-177; IB Docket No. 15-256; RM-11664; WT Docket No. 10-112; IB Docket No. 97-95. Also known as the Spectrum Frontiers Order.
About Vubiq Networks
Vubiq Networks, Inc. is a privately held wireless networking technology company headquartered in Irvine, California. The company’s focus is on high-bandwidth, 60 GHz V-Band wireless link transmission products that enable gigabit speed transport for broadband wireless fiber extensions, wireless metropolitan area networks, and mobile backhaul applications. For more information, call 949-226-7185 or visit www.vubiqnetworks.com.
