With over 5 billion products shipping each year, Bluetooth technology is the most widely deployed wireless standard in the world. A core reason for its unmatched adoption and success is the continual evolution of the technology, low power and convenience for use with portable and wearable devices.
"Over the last twenty years, Bluetooth technology has made our lives more productive, safer, healthier, and joyful," says Mark Powell, CEO of the Bluetooth SIG. "The Bluetooth SIG community is constantly evolving the technology to meet ever expanding market demands for wireless communications. Expanding into the 6 GHz spectrum band will ensure the community can continue to make the enhancements necessary to pave the way for the next twenty years of Bluetooth innovation."
Wi-Fi Alliance and 6GHz Band
The 6GHz band is satisfying growing demand for higher-bandwidth services. Since its introduction, Wi-Fi 6E has gained traction as the de-facto industry standard in products, and with healthcare, education, and sports and entertainment environments. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, "There is immense market opportunity for Wi-Fi 6E, and decisions by regulators and policymakers around the world to open the entire 1200 MHz of spectrum in 6GHz for Wi-Fi will have a significant impact on user experiences for students, employees, healthcare workers, researchers, and entrepreneurs in those countries. Enterprises deploying Wi-Fi 6E will also see a competitive advantage.
More than 660 Wi-Fi 6E devices have been Wi-Fi Certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance, and the diverse and rapidly growing Wi-Fi 6E ecosystem includes a wide variety of smart TVs, smartphones, enterprise and residential access points (APs), and laptops. A series of large-scale deployments coupled with strong global service provider momentum demonstrate Wi-Fi 6E’s readiness in various environments.
Making the full 1200 MHz of spectrum available, rather than only opening the lower portion (500 MHz) of the band to Wi-Fi, is critical to giving people the most opportunity to experience the full Wi-Fi 6E benefits from new products or large-scale deployments. In the US, the FCC recently authorized 6GHz standard power unlicensed operations, which will unlock the full potential of Wi-Fi 6E and future Wi-Fi generations.
"The global allocation of additional spectrum for unlicensed use is vital to ensuring that wireless technologies can continue to meet growing connectivity demands," says Kevin Robinson, President and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. "Designating 6 GHz for unlicensed use creates a valuable spectrum resource that is recognized globally for its ability to bring tremendous socioeconomic benefits. Wi-Fi Alliance looks forward to collaborating with the Bluetooth SIG to ensure our successful co-existence in the band."
Visit bluetooth.com/specifications-in-development for additional information on this new specification project. Employees of all Bluetooth SIG member companies are welcome to join the Higher Bands for Low Energy Subgroup within the Core Specification Working Group to participate.
Since its formation in 1998, the Bluetooth SIG community has continued to expand the capabilities of Bluetooth technology. Today, Bluetooth is the wireless technology of choice for developers in many solution areas, including audio streaming. Formed in 1998, the Bluetooth SIG is the not-for-profit trade association that oversees Bluetooth technology. In support of more than 38,000 member companies, the Bluetooth SIG facilitates the collaboration of its members to create new and enhanced specifications that expand the technology, drives global interoperability via a world-class product qualification program, and grows the brand by increasing the awareness, understanding, and adoption of Bluetooth technology.
www.bluetooth.com
