News
New Zealand RSM (Radio Spectrum Management) opens Wi-Fi 6E band
On August 1, 2022, the New Zealand RSM (Radio Spectrum Management) updated the indicative summary of 6 GHz WLAN achievements, summarizing the technical requirements for the Wi-Fi 6E Band 5 frequency band 5925 ~ 6425 MHz. Currently, the Radio Communications Regulations (General User Radio License for Short-Range Devices) Notice 2022 has updated the spectrum for Wi-Fi 6E, while the Radio Communications Regulations (Radio Standards) Notice 2020 will be updated soon. So far, the two countries certified by RCM, Australia and New Zealand, have opened Wi-Fi 6E.
The New Zealand RSM summarizes the 6 GHz WLAN specifications:
allowable frequency band | category |
Max.EIRP |
Max.PSD(EIRP) |
condition |
5925-6425MHz |
low power indoor(LPI) |
24dBm |
11dBm/MHz |
Use only in buildings or in enclosed spaces with at least the same attenuation characteristics as buildings |
Ultra low power(VLP) |
14dBm |
1dBm/MHz |
No indoor restrictions (i.e. outdoor allowed) | |
Applicable Standards:ETSI EN 303 687 |
As shown in the table above, New Zealand's current Wi-Fi 6E Band 5 only allows low-power indoor (LPI) and very low-power (VLP) use (same as Australia).
Comparison of Wi-Fi 6E technical requirements between New Zealand & Australia and the European Union and the United States:
Equipment category | skills requirement |
FCC Part 15.407 |
EN 303 687 |
AS/NZS 4268 |
SP |
frequency band(MHz) |
5925-6425 6525-6875 |
-- |
-- |
AP & Fixed Client |
Power: 36dBm(EIRP) PSD: 23dBm/MHz(EIRP) |
|||
Client under control of SP AP |
Power: 30dBm(EIRP) PSD: 17dBm/MHz(EIRP) |
|||
special requirement |
AFC |
|||
LPI |
frequency band(MHz) |
5925-7125 |
5945-6525 |
5925-6425 |
AP & Subordinate |
Power: 30dBm(EIRP) PSD: 5dBm/MHz(EIRP) |
Power: 23dBm(EIRP) PSD: 10dBm/MHz(EIRP) |
Power: 24dBm(EIRP) PSD: 11dBm/MHz(EIRP) |
|
Client under control of LPI AP |
Power: 24dBm(EIRP) PSD: 1dBm/MHz(EIRP) |
|||
special requirement |
Contention based protocol |
Contention access mechanism, Receiver blocking & Receiver Selectivity |
Contention based protocol for multiple access(only Australia) |
|
VPI |
frequency band(MHz) |
-- |
5945-6525 |
5925-6425 |
AP & Client |
Power: 14dBm(EIRP) PSD: 1dBm/MHz(EIRP) |
Power: 14dBm(EIRP) PSD: 1dBm/MHz(EIRP) |
||
special requirement |
Contention access mechanism, Receiver blocking & Receiver Selectivity |
Contention based protocol for multiple access(only Australia) |
Test reference:
Because the "Radio Communications Regulations (Radio Standards) Notice" has not been updated, it is not clear which standard New Zealand Wi-Fi 6E refers to. RSM mentions ETSI EN 303 687, and based on past experience, the test should be able to refer to CE / FCC 6E Standard, and New Zealand's equipment category, Power & PSD are similar to CE 6E, so it is recommended to use CE 6E standard for testing.
New Zealand is still taking a wait-and-see attitude towards the higher frequency band (6425 ~ 7125 MHz) of Wi-Fi 6E and does not plan to open it at this stage.
If you have any other questions and learn more about testing and certification, please consult LCS specialists!