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NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D. C.  20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

January 9, 2013
Justin Cole, 202-418-8191
Email: justin.cole@fcc.gov

FCC CHAIRMAN JULIUS GENACHOWSKI ANNOUNCES MAJOR EFFORT TO INCREASE 

WI-FI SPEEDS AND ALLEVIATE WI-FI CONGESTION AT AIRPORTS, CONVENTION 

CENTERS, AND IN HOMES WITH MULTIPLE DEVICES AND USERS

FCC Action To Free Up New Spectrum For Wi-Fi Will Kick-Off Government-Wide Effort To Expedite 

Ultra-High-Speed, High-Capacity Wi-Fi And Support U.S. Innovation Economy; Increasing “Gigabit 

Wi-Fi” Spectrum by 35% 

Will Provide For Higher Speeds and Greater Capacity At Major Wi-Fi Hubs, Allowing For Multiple 

HD Video Streams  

Washington, D.C. – While speaking at the 2013 International CES, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski 
announced today that the Commission will soon kick-off a government-wide effort to increase speeds and 
alleviate Wi-Fi congestion at major hubs, such as airports, convention centers and large conference 
gatherings.  In addition, this would also increase speed and capacity for Wi-Fi in the home where multiple 
users and devices are often on the network at the same time.  This will increase and free up the unlicensed 
spectrum available for ultra-high-speed, high-capacity Wi-Fi - known as “Gigabit Wi-Fi” - by up to 35 
percent.  This effort will enable higher data speeds and greater capacity – most notably, improved HD 
video distribution capability. 
Chairman Genachowski said that the FCC will take the first steps next month to unleash up to 195 
megahertz of spectrum in the 5 gigahertz band.  This would be the largest block of unlicensed spectrum to 
be made available for expansion of Wi-Fi since 2003. 
Chairman Genachowski said, "We all know the frustration of Wi-Fi congestion at conferences and 
airports.  Today, the FCC is moving to bring increased speed and capacity to Wi-Fi networks by 
increasing the amount of unlicensed spectrum for Wi-Fi.  As this spectrum comes on line, we expect it to 
relieve congested Wi-Fi networks at major hubs like convention centers and airports.  It will also help in 
homes as tablets and smartphones proliferate and video use rises.  
“When the FCC helped pioneer Wi-Fi nearly thirty years ago - through an innovative spectrum policy that 
relied on unlicensed use - no one knew the potential it held.  But that FCC-created platform for innovation 
gave us cordless phones, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, benefitting consumers and our economy massively.  We'll 
keep nurturing today's Wi-Fi as we also develop a next generation of spectrum policies to drive our 
mobile future for our innovators and our economy."

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Because the 5 gigahertz band is already used for other purposes by both federal and non-federal users, the 
effort will require significant collaboration with other federal agencies.  Chairman Genachowski 
committed the Commission to move expeditiously to complete the proceeding.  
In addition to efforts like today’s announcement to improve on existing Wi-Fi networks, the Commission 
has taken steps in recent years to unleash the potential of next-generation unlicensed spectrum.  Next-
generation unlicensed spectrum is in lower frequencies than existing Wi-Fi, and enables wireless 
communications to travel longer distances and better penetrate barriers like walls and provide improved 
coverage over hilly terrain. 
In 2010, the Commission provided for operation of unlicensed devices in the unused spectrum between 
broadcast TV channels, called white spaces.  Unlocking this valuable spectrum is opening the doors for 
new industries to arise, creating American jobs, and fueling new investment and innovation.  
In addition, as part of the effort to implement the world’s first incentive auction, the FCC proposed to 
ensure that a significant amount of low-band unlicensed spectrum recovered from TV broadcasters will be 
available on a consistent, nationwide basis for the first time.  
-FCC-
News about the Federal Communications Commission can also be found on the Commission’s web 
site www.fcc.gov.

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