CRA issues Class Licence related to Wi-Fi 6E

THE Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has issued the Class Licence for the use of Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) devices over the lower part (5925 - 25 MHz) of the GHz band (5925 - 7125 MHz), which is commercially known as Wireless Local Area Network (Wi-Fi E).

CRA published on its website the related Policy Statement. The Licence enables any person to possess, use, operate, instal and use Wireless Devices without having to apply for this Class Licence, also the Licencee is authorised to import and operate Wireless Devices within Qatar and use the frequency(s) or the frequency band(s) assigned in the Licence.

Nevertheless, the Licencee shall comply with the terms and conditions of this Class Licence and its annexures, the provisions of the Telecommunications Law, relevant legislation and any regulations decisions, orders, rules, instructions and notices issued by CRA.

Wi-Fi E is one of the world’s new and cutting-edge technologies, helping to address internet data traffic congestion issues caused by the connectivity of multiple devices to the same Wi-Fi hub.

Thus, this technology will enable consumers in Qatar to connect more devices to Wi-Fi with high-speed and high-quality internet connectivity, which includes laptops, tablets, mobile phones and smart TV.

Wi-Fi E will also enable different Internet of Things (IoT) applications and support innovative applications such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Ultra High Definition video (Ultra HD).

CRA is the responsible authority for regulating and managing all the affairs related to the use of the radio spectrum and establishing an effective approval regime for telecommunications equipment.

CRA is always keen to encourage the introduction of advanced technologies to Qatar and keep its relevant regulatory instruments up to date to cover the new technologies and radiocommunications applications, which will contribute to achieving economic development and the objectives of Qatar National Vision 20 0.

The introduction of this technology will help support many sectors in Qatar and will also support the mobile telecom market as a complementary technology to the (5G) Networks. The Licence and CRA’s regulatory instruments will empower stakeholders to effectively arrange their radio spectrum requirements related to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

It is worth mentioning that the CRA published earlier a public consultation related to CRA’s proposed policy for assigning the full frequency of the GHz band (5925 - 7125 MHz) to Wi-Fi E with an aim of receiving the views and comments from the local and international stakeholders and interested parties about CRA’s proposed decision.

According to the Policy Statement, CRA supports the allocation of the entire band for licence exempt use, but the allocation of the entire band will be pending the outcomes of the World Radiocommunication Conference 202 (WRC-2 ) organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where WRC-2 will include a discussion about the upper part ( 25 - 7125 MHz) of the GHz band.