Cable group disputes Globalstar's arguments against freeing 5.1 GHz band for Wi-Fi

Efforts to open up the 5.1 GHz band for use by high-power, outdoor Wi-Fi equipment has garnered widespread support, but faces staunch opposition from one company using the band: mobile satellite service (MSS) operator Globalstar.

However, the cable industry contends that new research from CableLabs and experts at the University of Colorado refutes arguments Globalstar has made to keep the frequencies from being opened up. The research was submitted to the Federal Communications Commission by the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), which called for swift action to free up the 5150-5250 MHz portion of the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) band to enable its use for higher power (up to one watt) and outdoor Wi-Fi transmissions. Unlicensed operations in the band are currently restricted to lower wattage and indoor operations. The proposed relaxation of regulations for the 5.1 GHz band are part a broader FCC move to release more 5 GHz frequencies for gigabit Wi-Fi use.