Automatic Frequency Coordination Trial

One of the most exciting developments for the WISP sector is the progress of Automatic Frequency Coordination, or AFC, in the 6 GHz spectrum band.

AFC in 6Ghz represents a major leap forward in how we manage radio frequencies in shared spectrum environments.

In simple terms, AFC is the system that allows outdoor standard power unlicensed radio devices to operate in the same 6 GHz band as licensed incumbents — such as point-to-point microwave links — without causing interference.

It achieves this by using geolocation and database coordination to automatically determine which specific channels and power levels a device can use at a given location.

The outcome is both protection and efficiency: incumbents are not interfered, and new operators can access much-needed spectrum capacity.

The significance of AFC for fixed wireless broadband providers cannot be overstated.

It opens the door to wider channels, faster throughput, and improved reliability — all while maintaining the integrity of existing services that rely on this band. For WISPs, AFC can mean the difference between incremental improvement and transformative performance.

In countries like the United States and Canada, AFC systems are already in operation and proving effective.

They have shown that the combination of coordination and spectrum management can enable both innovation and protection.

WISPAU, Cambium Networks and Qualcomm have been working for over a year discussing what a potential trial would look like in Australia with the ACMA. An AFC trial has now been approved by the ACMA under a Scientific License with the trial to last 12 months. During this time reports will be provided to the ACMA on the AFC trial.

Further details on the trial including locations are available on the WISPAU website here.

The AFC system in the trial requires Qualcomm to import data from the ACMA Register of Radiocommunications Licences database every 24hrs.

It completes this via an API to the data and can determine every licensed 6ghz link located in Australia using this data.

This, along with GPS location details on both the radio access points and the customer radio unit allow the AFC system to determine available frequencies and the required maximum power levels that can be used by the radio’s.

The trial is currently utilising Cambium Networks PMP450v and ePMP4600 and is limited to this equipment for this trial.

The great thing AFC does is give WISPs a path to use that spectrum responsibly — balancing innovation with protection.

It ensures that WISPs can expand access to bandwidth without compromising the systems already in place.

It can (and hopefully will be), a model of how technology and regulation can work hand-in-hand to create better outcomes for everyone.

At WISPAU, we see AFC not as a distant possibility but as an immediate opportunity.

The technology is proven, the policy groundwork is being laid, and our industry is keen to demonstrate that fixed wireless providers can use this spectrum safely, efficiently, and for the public good.

Whilst there is no guarantee that AFC will be implemented by the ACMA in the future, we are hopeful that the results of this AFC trial will show that an AFC can be successfully run in Australia benefiting WISPs and protecting incumbent licenced operators.

Its an exciting opportunity to be involved in developing new ways to deliver better connectivity and fixed wireless broadband services to Australians