Proposed Rule2026-03420
Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz
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Published
February 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Federal Communications Commission
Abstract
In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) issued a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to seek comment on two proposals to improve 6 GHz band (5.925-7.125 GHz) unlicensed device performance. One proposal would allow automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems to take into account building entry loss (BEL) when determining frequency and power- level availability for access points that are authorized to operate in both standard power and LPI modes--i.e., composite indoor/standard- power access points. This will provide stronger signals and better coverage inside homes and buildings, without increasing the risk of harmful interference to licensed services that share the 6 GHz band. Another proposal would allow low-power indoor access points to operate on cruise ships. These devices were previously banned on boats, but the Commission believes the risk of harmful interference occurring from this application is low because cruise ships are few in number and their thick metal walls block signals from escaping. The Commission also seeks comment broadly on any changes that could be made to the 6 GHz band unlicensed rules to reflect technological and business developments since the rules were first adopted in 2020.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8173-8177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03420]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 15
[ET Docket No. 18-295, GN Docket No. 17-183; FCC 26-1; FR ID 331554]
Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band; Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-
Band Spectrum Between 3.7 and 24 GHz
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal Communications Commission
(Commission or FCC) issued a Third Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking to seek comment on two proposals to improve 6 GHz band
(5.925-7.125 GHz) unlicensed device performance. One proposal would
allow automated frequency coordination (AFC) systems to take into
account building entry loss (BEL) when determining frequency and power-
level availability for access points that are authorized to operate in
both standard power and LPI modes--i.e., composite indoor/standard-
power access points. This will provide stronger signals and better
coverage inside homes and buildings, without increasing the risk of
harmful interference to licensed services that share the 6 GHz band.
Another proposal would allow low-power indoor access points to operate
on cruise ships. These devices were previously banned on boats, but the
Commission believes the risk of harmful interference occurring from
this application is low because cruise ships are few in number and
their thick metal walls block signals from escaping. The Commission
also seeks comment broadly on any changes that could be made to the 6
GHz band unlicensed rules to reflect technological and business
developments since the rules were first adopted in 2020.
DATES: Comments are due on or before March 23, 2026 and reply comments
are due on or before April 21, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Pursuant to Sec. Sec. 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission's
rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may file comments and
reply comments on or before the dates provided in the DATES section of
this document. Comments may be filed using the Commission's Electronic
Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic Filing of Documents in
Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998). You may submit comments,
identified by ET Docket No. 18-295 and GN Docket No. 17-183, by any of
the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically
using the internet by accessing the ECFS: <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs">https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs</a>.
<bullet> Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must
file an original and one copy of each filing.
<bullet> Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by
commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service. All filings must be
addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
<bullet> Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for
the Commission's Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
by the FCC's mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis
Junction, MD 20701. All hand deliveries must be held together with
rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of
before entering the building.
[[Page 8174]]
<bullet> Commercial courier deliveries (any deliveries not by the
U.S. Postal Service) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis
Junction, MD 20701. Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class
Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L
Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
<bullet> People with Disabilities: To request materials in
accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#385e5b5b0d080c785e5b5b165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afc9cccc9a9f9befc9cccc81c8c0d9">[email protected]</span></a> or
call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicholas Oros of the Office of
Engineering and Technology, Policy and Rules Division, at 202-418-0636
or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0b4562686364676a7825447964784b6d6868256c647d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="753b1c161d1a1914065b3a071a06351316165b121a03">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Third
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Third FNPRM), in ET Docket No.
18-295 and GN Docket No. 17-183, FCC 26-1, adopted on January 29, 2026,
and released on January 30, 2026. The full text of this document is
available for public inspection and can be downloaded at <a href="https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-1A1.pdf">https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-1A1.pdf</a>. Alternative formats are
available for people with disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format) by sending an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#63050000565357230500004d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d1b7b2b2e4e1e591b7b2b2ffb6bea7">[email protected]</span></a>
or calling the Commission's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at
(202) 418-0530 (voice).
Ex Parte Presentations. The proceeding this document initiates
shall be treated as a ``permit-but-disclose'' proceeding in accordance
with the Commission's ex parte rules. Persons making ex parte
presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a
memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days
after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the
Sunshine period applies). Persons making oral ex parte presentations
are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list
all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at
which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data
presented and arguments made during the presentation. If the
presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data
or arguments already reflected in the presenter's written comments,
memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide
citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments,
memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or
paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of
summarizing them in the memorandum. Documents shown or given to
Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex
parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b).
In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has
made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte
presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations,
and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic
comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed
in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf).
Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the
Commission's ex parte rules.
Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980,
as amended (RFA) requires that an agency prepare a regulatory
flexibility analysis for notice and comment rulemakings, unless the
agency certifies that ``the rule will not, if promulgated, have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.'' Accordingly, the Commission has prepared an Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) concerning the possible/
potential impact of rule and policy proposals on small entities in the
FCC document. The IRFA is found in Appendix D of the FCC document,
<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-votes-enable-better-faster-wi-fi-and-next-gen-connectivity-0">https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-votes-enable-better-faster-wi-fi-and-next-gen-connectivity-0</a>. The Commission invites the general public,
particularly small businesses, to comment on the IRFA. Comments must be
filed by the deadlines for comments on the Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking indicated on the first page of this document and must have a
separate and distinct heading designating them as responses to the
IRFA.
Paperwork Reduction Act. This document does not contain proposed
information collection subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
44 U.S.C. 3501-3521. In addition, therefore, it does not contain any
proposed information collection burden for small business concerns with
fewer than 25 employees, pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork
Relief Act of 2002, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4).
Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act: Consistent with
the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act, Public Law 1189-
9, a summary of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be available at
<a href="https://www.fcc.gov/proposed-rulemakings">https://www.fcc.gov/proposed-rulemakings</a>.
Synopsis
In this document, the Commission issues a Third Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (Third FNPRM) that seeks comment on proposals that
could provide more utility for unlicensed devices in the 6 GHz band.
Specifically, the Commission seeks comment on a proposal to allow
composite standard-power/low power indoor (LPI) access points that
operate under the control of an Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC)
system to operate with additional power under certain circumstances.
Because these access points are restricted to indoor operations, they
will be able to operate at higher power than what an AFC would allow
for outdoor standard-power access points at the same location without
presenting a significant risk of harmful interference. The additional
power will enable composite standard-power/LPI access points to
increase indoor coverage and provide more versatility to American
consumers. The Commission also seeks comment on a proposal to permit
LPI access points to operate on cruise ships. Although the Commission
prohibited the operation of LPI access points on boats in the 6 GHz
First Order (85 FR 31390, May 26, 2020), the Commission notes that the
risk of harmful interference to Earth Exploration Satellite Service
operations would be insignificant because of the limited number of
cruise ships and the fact that transmissions from within cruise ships
would be significantly attenuated by the thick metal walls of the ship.
The Commission also notes that cruise ships need more spectrum for
unlicensed device operation because they have thousands of passengers
within a relatively small footprint.
Use of Building Entry Loss by AFC Systems
In this document, the Commission proposes to allow AFC systems to
take into account building entry loss (BEL) when determining frequency
and power-level availability for access points that are authorized to
operate in both standard power and LPI modes--i.e., composite indoor/
standard-power access points. In a Public Notice approving conditional
operation for the first seven AFC systems, the Office of Engineering
and Technology (OET) recognized that BEL could be an input to any
predictive propagation model to determine permitted power levels for 6
GHz standard-power devices. However, OET took no position on whether to
permit AFC systems to account for BEL in their calculations. OET stated
that it may consider waiver requests by AFC
[[Page 8175]]
operators to use BEL in their calculations as long as the waiver
request provides full support for how standard power devices will be
constrained to indoor locations, how interference protection to
incumbent spectrum users will be provided, and any arrangements by the
AFC operators to ensure that indoor versus outdoor location data is
being properly transmitted, interpreted, and acted on appropriately. In
response, the Wi-Fi Alliance, Broadcom Inc., Sony, Comsearch,
C3Spectra, Federated Wireless, Qualcomm, and AXON Networks filed waiver
requests to input BEL into their AFC system propagation models when
assessing frequency availability and power constraints for composite
indoor/standard-power access points. In the waiver requests, the
companies explained that their respective AFC systems were capable of
distinguishing between indoor composite indoor/standard-power access
points and stand-alone standard power access points based on the FCC
identification number and certified equipment class information.
On March 21, 2023, OET issued a Public Notice soliciting comments
on the Wi-Fi Alliance Waiver Request. The Commission received comments
from numerous parties in favor of allowing AFC systems to adjust their
calculations to incorporate BEL, as well as from parties representing
microwave licensees' interests raising concerns about potential harmful
interference. Broadcom pointed out that including BEL in AFC system
calculations ensures indoor-only access points ``are not needlessly
constrained to much lower power or channel availability than is
necessary'' to keep the signal received from the access point from
exceeding the conservative -6 dB I/N interference protection criterion
for standard power operations. NCTA--The Internet and Television
Association (NCTA) explained that ``composite devices designed for
indoor-only use will allow consumers and businesses to experience the
benefits of enhanced 6 GHz coverage, throughput, and speed.'' Dynamic
Spectrum Alliance (DSA) emphasized that indoor-only composite devices
can help satisfy the growing demand for affordable and enhanced
broadband access by allowing efficient 6 GHz band unlicensed use.
Several commenters representing incumbent users sought additional
information on how AFC systems can ensure that composite devices would
only operate indoors and protect fixed microwave incumbents from
harmful interference. Commenters, including AT&T, the Utilities
Technology Council (UTC), Southern, the Association of Public-Safety
Communications Officials, International (APCO), and NWCC, also raised
harmful interference concerns. For example, UTC claimed that taking BEL
into consideration poses a risk because there is a ``mountain of
evidence that LPI devices are certain to cause interference.'' AT&T
also raised concerns regarding potential interference caused by
communication between standard-power client devices operating outdoors
and composite indoor/standard-power access points operating indoors.
APCO expressed interference concerns in its filing, questioning how
public safety communications will be protected from harmful
interference.
On December 5, 2024, OET granted waiver relief to the Wi-Fi
Alliance, Broadcom, Sony, Federated Wireless, and Qualcomm to include
BEL into their respective AFC systems' predictive propagation models.
Waiver relief was also granted to Comsearch and C3Spectra on May 20,
2025. To ensure that harmful interference to authorized operations and
other spectrum users would not occur, OET required that the AFC systems
be capable of identifying composite indoor/standard-power access points
based on the FCC identification number and certified Equipment Class
information provided by a standard-power access point spectrum inquiry
request. In addition, OET only permitted the AFC systems to incorporate
building entry loss up to and including 6 dB in their predictive
propagation model calculations limited to a spectrum inquiry request
initiated from a composite indoor/standard-power access point.
The Commission proposes to update its rules consistent with the
waivers OET granted to permit the AFC operators to take BEL into
consideration in their calculations. The Commission proposes to adopt
rules that will require AFC systems to be capable of identifying
composite indoor/standard-power access points based on the FCC ID
provided by the access point during registration and certified
equipment class information obtained from the Commission's Equipment
Authorization System in order to be eligible to apply BEL in their
propagation calculations. Only upon confirmation that a device is
certified as a composite indoor/standard-power access point can the AFC
system assume no more than 6 dB of BEL when it provides frequency and
power-level information to that device. Allowing the AFC systems to
consider BEL when determining frequency availability will increase the
composite indoor/standard-power access point operating power when
appropriate, thereby increasing their utility to consumers. The greater
operating power will enable the access points to provide increased
indoor coverage and/or provide higher data rates. This will expand the
use of the 6 GHz band, thereby furthering the Commission's goal to
encourage more efficient spectrum use. The Commission seeks comment on
its proposal. Are there any other factors that need to be taken into
consideration to permit the AFC systems to apply BEL in their
calculations?
The Commission seeks comment on whether 6 dB is the correct amount
of BEL attenuation to permit the AFC systems to use in their
calculation for composite indoor/standard-power access points or
whether the 6 dB accommodation the Commission made in the waiver grants
can be increased. What is the harmful interference risk, if any, to
licensed incumbents associated with increasing the amount of BEL an AFC
can use when it provides frequency and power-level information to a
composite indoor/standard-power access point? What are the advantages
and disadvantages of allowing a higher BEL attenuation? What tangible
risks, if any, would there be for harmful interference occurring if the
AFC systems use a BEL greater than 6 dB in their calculations? Should
the Commission require AFC operators to use a particular methodology to
determine the appropriate amount of BEL for a given composite indoor/
standard-power access point and, if so, what should that methodology
be? Alternatively, should AFC operators have discretion to determine
the amount of BEL to apply up to 6 dB? If AFC operators should have
such discretion, what factors should they be required to take into
consideration when determining the amount of BEL to apply?
Low Power Indoor Access Points on Cruise Ships
In the 6 GHz First Order, the Commission prohibited LPI access
point operation on boats. The Commission noted that according to the
National Academy of Science's Committee on Radio Frequency, the 6.425-
7.075 GHz and 7.075-7.250 GHz bands are used for remote sensing by the
Earth Exploration Satellite Service, including over oceans. The
Commission explained that it was prohibiting LPI access point use on
boats because of the lack of building attenuation when the access
points are used indoors and to protect Earth Exploration Satellite
Service operations over the oceans.
[[Page 8176]]
Cisco Systems (Cisco) requests that the Commission modify its
prohibition on shipborne LPI access points by creating an exception for
cruise ships. According to Cisco, ``there is insufficient spectrum
available in large congested indoor common areas of cruise ships, such
as restaurants, casinos, theaters, and promenades[,] [which] can impact
Wi-Fi performance.'' Cisco explains that the inability to access the 6
GHz band limits the available non-overlapping Wi-Fi channels leading to
increased co-channel and adjacent channel interference and that access
to the entire 6 GHz band would increase the likelihood of achieving
gigabit speeds in the dense environment. Cisco also points out that
``signals within cruise ships experience high building entry loss
(`BEL') due to the vessels' thick metal walls and thermally efficient
glass windows.'' Cisco claims that ``[c]ruise ships are also likely
have far higher BEL than traditional land-based hotels, which do not
have walls made of metal.''
The Commission proposes to amend its rules to permit LPI access
points to operate on cruise ships. As Cisco has pointed out,
transmissions made from within cruise ships are likely to experience
significant attenuation from the thick metal walls of the cruise ship,
thereby reducing the risk of harmful interference to Earth Exploration
Satellite Service operations. In addition, there are a limited number
of cruise ships. The Commission appreciates the need for additional
spectrum for unlicensed device operation on board cruise ships
considering that many of these ships have thousands of passengers
contained within a relatively small footprint. The Commission seeks
comment on this proposal. What impact will the operation of LPI access
points on cruise ships have on Earth Exploration Satellite Service
measurements made over the oceans?
The Commission proposes limiting this exception to its rules to
cruise ships for two reasons. First, smaller boats may have less
substantial construction with reduced BEL that could present a greater
interference risk to Earth Exploration Satellite Service operations.
Second, completely removing the prohibition on LPI use on boats would
greatly increase the amount of LPI use over the oceans, which would
increase the potential risk to the Earth Exploration Satellite Service.
For purposes of this rule exception, the Commission proposes to adopt
the definition of cruise ships in 33 CFR 101.105:
Cruise Ship means any vessel over 100 gross register tons, carrying
more than 12 passengers for hire which makes voyages lasting more than
24 hours, of which any part is on the high seas. Passengers from cruise
ships are embarked or disembarked in the U.S. or its territories.
Cruise ships do not include ferries that hold Coast Guard Certificates
of Inspection endorsed for ``Lakes, Bays, and Sounds'', that transit
international waters for only short periods of time on frequent
schedules.
The Commission seeks comment on limiting the exception to the
prohibition on use of LPI access points on boats to cruise ships as
defined in 33 CFR 101.105. Should the Commission's rules reflect a more
or less restrictive definition of cruise ships? Would specifying a
larger number of passengers in the cruise ship definition be
appropriate because only larger cruise ships will have a need for
increased Wi-Fi spectrum? Would it be appropriate to permit LPI access
points to be used on other types of boats?
Updating the Existing 6 GHz Band Unlicensed Rules
In the five years since the Commission adopted rules for standard
power and low power indoor devices, the 6 GHz band has become an
essential part of the unlicensed device ecosystem. More than 5000
different Wi-Fi device models that support the 6 GHz band were released
between 2021 and 2024. Now that 6 GHz band unlicensed devices have
become widely deployed, the Commission believes that it is appropriate
to consider whether any adjustments are needed to the 6 GHz band
unlicensed rules to encourage further innovation. The Commission seeks
comment broadly on any changes that could be made to the 6 GHz band
unlicensed rules to reflect technological and business developments
since the rules were first adopted in 2020. These rule modifications
could involve any of the categories of 6 GHz band unlicensed devices:
standard power access points, indoor access points, geofenced variable
power access point, or client device as well as the AFC and geofencing
systems.
Benefits and Costs
The Commission seeks comment on whether the proposed rules
discussed above would generate benefits that outweigh the associated
costs. The Commission tentatively concludes that the proposed rules
will yield modest benefits, including a one-time cost savings of $4,800
from streamlining the AFC waiver application process and a recurring
annual benefit of $35.6 million. The Commission seeks comment on these
preliminary assessments and request that commenters provide applicable
estimates with supporting data and statistics.
Benefits. The Commission anticipates that these proposed rule
changes--permitting AFC systems to account for BEL and authorizing LPI
access point operation aboard cruise ships--would result in modest
economic benefits of approximately $4,800 in one-time cost savings and
$35.6 million in annual benefit to society as a whole. Eight AFC
operators have filed waiver requests to incorporate BEL into their AFC
system propagation models, and seven of those operators have been
granted waiver relief. Because OET has authority to grant such waivers
on an individual basis, updating the Commission's rules to align with
the relief already granted would not materially alter current BEL
adjustment practices. The primary impact of the proposed rule change
would be creating regulatory certainty and reducing the time and
resources that AFC operators and the Commission are required to devote
to the waiver application and review process. To date, the Commission
has conditionally approved fifteen AFC systems. Excluding the seven AFC
operators already granted the waivers, the Commission estimates that up
to eight additional AFC operators could benefit from the time savings
associated with eliminating the need for individual waiver requests.
Further, the Commission assumes that operators will rely on outside
counsel to file waiver requests at the hourly rate of an attorney at
$300/hour. The Commission assumes that each waiver requires two hours
of work by an attorney and calculate the potential cost savings from
reduced waiver burdens as follows: 1 attorney x $300/hour x 2 hours x 8
operators = $4,800. This estimate is conservative, as it does not
account for potential cost savings resulting from reduced internal
communications, including those that may require engineering input or
consultation between operators and outside counsel. Based on this
analysis, the Commission believes that its proposals to streamline the
waiver process will result in a one-time cost savings of approximately
$4,800.
On the other hand, the Commission finds that permitting LPI
operation on cruise ships would result in higher economic benefits by
enabling cruise ship passengers to remain connected throughout their
voyages in a more cost-efficient manner. The Commission estimates that
the proposed rules would contribute approximately $35.6 million in
annual benefits. In 2025, approximately 19 million U.S. residents are
expected to take cruise vacations,
[[Page 8177]]
with an average trip duration of approximately 7.1 days. These cruise
ship vacations account for approximately 0.11% of the aggregate annual
American man-hours as calculated as follows: (19 million cruise ship
passengers x 7.1 days)/(342 million U.S. population x 365 days) =
0.11%. Based on the economic analysis cited in prior Commission orders,
authorizing LPI operation in 6 GHz is expected to contribute
approximately $32.4 billion to the U.S. economy in 2025. Assuming that
cruise ship passenger-time represents 0.11% of total U.S. consumers
time, the Commission estimates the annual benefit attributable to LPI
operation on board cruise ships as follows: $32.4 billion x 0.11% =
$35,623,500, which the Commission rounds to $35.6 million. Taken
together, the Commission expects that the proposed rules would result
in a one-time benefit of approximately $4,800 from streamlining the
consideration of BEL in AFC system applications and an annual benefits
of approximately $35.6 million from permitting LPI device operation on
board cruise ships.
Costs. For the proposed rule permitting AFC systems to account for
BEL, the Commission anticipates that the rule will impose no additional
costs on the public. While AFC operators may incur costs to reconfigure
their systems to incorporate BEL into their propagation models and
adjust coordination procedures accordingly, such costs would be
incurred voluntarily only when operators determine that the expected
benefits outweigh the associated cost. Therefore, the Commission does
not separately account for these costs, as the Commission anticipates
this proposal to be cost-neutral from a regulatory perspective.
Moreover, the Commission expects that allowing AFC systems to account
for BEL will not result in harmful interference to existing licensed
operations. As such, the Commission anticipates no additional costs
would be imposed on incumbent licensed users.
For the proposed use of LPI devices on board cruise ships, the
Commission similarly anticipates no cost to the public. While the
proposed rule may stimulate consumer demand for LPI devices to be used
on board cruise ships, any associated consumer expenditures are
expected to be captured by device manufacturers as producer surplus.
Therefore, these expenditures represent a transfer within the economy
rather than a net cost, and are not included in the Commission's cost
estimates. The Commission recognizes that cruise ship operators may
incur costs to install LPI access points indoors for use by passengers
and crew. However, such installations are entirely voluntary, and
operators are expected to proceed only when the expected benefits
(e.g., premiums they can charge for the use) exceed the associated
costs. Accordingly, the Commission considers this proposal to be cost-
neutral from a regulatory standpoint. Based on this expectation, the
Commission does not separately quantify the costs associated with
voluntary adoption of LPI access points on board cruise ships.
Meanwhile, the Commission anticipates that permitting LPI access points
to operate on board cruise ships will not result in harmful
interference to Earth Exploration Satellite Service operations. The
expectation is based on the limited number of such ships and the
substantial attenuation of indoor signals caused by the thick metal
walls and internal structures of the vessels. Therefore, the Commission
tentatively concludes that the proposed rules will not incur any
substantial costs.
Ordering Clauses
It is ordered that, pursuant to sections 2, 4(i), 302, and 303 of
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 152, 154(i),
302a, 303, and the Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is
hereby adopted.
It is ordered that the Office of the Secretary shall send a copy of
the Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analyses, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of
the Small Business Administration.
It is ordered that the Office of Managing Director, Performance
Program Management, shall send a copy of the Third Further Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking in a report to be sent to Congress and the
Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act, 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A).
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 15
Communications equipment, Radio.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary.
Proposed Rules
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal
Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 15 as follows:
PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES
0
1. The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 304, 307, 336, 544a, and
549.
0
2. Amend Sec. 15.407 by revising paragraphs (d)(1)(iii) and (d)(4) and
adding paragraphs (k)(17) and (l)(1)(iv) to read as follows:
Sec. 15.407 General technical requirements.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(iii) Boats. Operation of standard power access points, fixed
client devices, and indoor access points in the 5.925-7.125 GHz band is
prohibited on boats, except that indoor access points are permitted to
operate on cruise ships as defined in 33 CFR 101.105.
* * * * *
(4) In the 5.925-7.125 GHz band, indoor access points and
subordinate devices must bear the following statement in a conspicuous
location on the device and in the user's manual: FCC regulations
restrict operation of this device to indoor use only. The operation of
this device is prohibited on oil platforms, cars, trains, boats, and
aircraft, except that operation of this device is permitted in large
aircraft while flying above 10,000 feet and on cruise ships as defined
in 33 CFR 101.105.
* * * * *
(k) * * *
(17) An AFC system must be capable of identifying composite indoor/
standard-power access points based on the FCC ID provided by the access
point during registration and certified equipment class information
obtained from the Commission's Equipment Authorization System.
(l) * * *
(1) * * *
(iv) An AFC system may incorporate building entry loss up to and
including 6 dB in its propagation model calculations in response to a
spectrum inquiry request initiated from a composite low-power indoor/
standard-power access point.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2026-03420 Filed 2-19-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 20, 2026.
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