Electric Utility Warns FCC of Airwaves Disruption

Georgia-based electric utility Southern Company told the Federal Communications Commission  that, based on its testing, the unlicensed Wi-Fi use the agency has voted to allow in the 6 GHz band will disrupt incumbent services that utilities offer. (It also submitted a full report.) Utilities Technology Council CEO Sheryl Osiene-Riggs said she hopes the results “will convince the FCC that they should cease permitting new devices in the 6 GHz band until it can fully protect the existing public safety and utility users in the band.” This spectrum spat will be one to watch. Both Republican and Democratic commissioners were bullish on the Trump-era vote to open the whole band for Wi-Fi use, which the tech and cable industries welcomed. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals recently scheduled oral arguments in a court fight over the FCC’s decision for Sept. 17.