Is Free Wi-Fi Under Threat in the USA?

Wi-Fi is a global staple, freely accessible to anyone with the right hardware. Unlike licensed radio spectrum—used for services like cellular networks, where providers pay for exclusive control—Wi-Fi operates on unlicensed spectrum. This enables anyone to set up an Access Point and innovate without incurring hefty fees, thereby fostering growth for small businesses and tech ecosystems.

Read CTIA article here! WI-Fi

But a new proposal in the United States, dubbed Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” could disrupt this model. The bill may impose licensing fees on spectrum bands critical for Wi-Fi’s expansion, including those earmarked for Wi-Fi 7 and future standards. While Wi-Fi doesn’t necessarily require more speed, it desperately needs additional spectrum to support growing user density and improve reliability in crowded environments, such as offices, stadiums, and urban centers.

This policy could also hinder plans to expand Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), a shared spectrum model that enables landlords and businesses to deploy private 5G networks, effectively creating Wi-Fi-like services. Licensing these bands would raise costs, stifling innovation and limiting access for smaller players.Why should the rest of the world care? Nine of the top ten Wi-Fi equipment vendors are based in the United States.

If licensing fees make it more difficult to sell advanced Wi-Fi products in the U.S., these companies may scale back their investment in research, chip design, and manufacturing. This could delay or derail global advancements in Wi-Fi technology, affecting everyone from consumers to enterprises worldwide.

Read ARS Article Wi-Fi

The ripple effects are difficult to predict, but the implications are clear: restricting unlicensed spectrum in the U.S. could hinder the innovation that drives modern connectivity. What other surprises might be in store?

Author Tony Freeth has been in the industry for years and created several successful companies. you can learn more about Tony at www.https://freeth.info/

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