Deploying Automated Frequency Coordination System for WiFi 6E in South Korea: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

As the deployment of WiFi has been more dense than ever, WiFi 6E has been proposed for the 6 GHz band. Since the 6 GHz band has been occupied by several incumbent services - such as fixed services (FS) and television and broadcast services (TBS) - the use of the 6 GHz band by WiFi 6E must be coordinated such that the incumbent services can be protected as if WiFi 6E is not present. To this end, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) introduced the automated frequency coordination (AFC) system that provides WiFi 6E access points (AP) with a list of available channels and permissible transmit powers based on the location of the APs and the incumbent systems. This article addresses the challenges of implementing the AFC system in South Korea and the opportunities available. They include spectrum refarming of the 6 GHz bands, and construction of the protection zones for the incumbent systems. © 2024 IEEE.