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Tarana Wireless has announced that their next-generation “6GHz” capable G1 wireless (ngFWA) platform and kit is now ready to deploy in the UK with the addition of support for the UK’s Band C (5725-5850 MHz). This can be enabled via an “optional, free software upgrade to unlock the 6 GHz spectrum as it is available“.
At present a number of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) providers in the UK are known to be using Tarana’s ngFWA setup, including broadband ISP Airband (here). But this has tended to use part of the 5GHz band, and the new announcement indicates that they’ll now able to add support for “6GHz” via a software update.
However, when Ofcom talks about 6GHz, they’re usually referencing both the upper 6GHz radio spectrum band (6425 to 7125MHz) and the lower part (5925 to 6425MHz). By comparison, Tarana’s mention of 6GHz is actually more akin to 5.8GHz, since it’s referencing the bit below that – 5725-5850MHz.
This is an important distinction because the UK regulator is currently still consulting on their January 2025 proposal to exempt additional devices (equipment) from needing a wireless telegraphy licence in the 5.8GHz band, including FWA kit (here). Clearly, Tarana are anticipating that the regulator will grant approval in the near future, which does seem likely to occur but is not yet approved.
FWA providers would no doubt welcome the extra spectrum capacity within their networks, which could mean faster wireless broadband speeds to homes and businesses.