The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released a discussion paper seeking industry feedback on the potential deployment of an Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) system to enable the rollout of standard-power Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band — offering higher power than currently permitted under existing low-power Wi-Fi use.
ACMA encourages all stakeholders — including manufacturers, network operators, spectrum users, and industry groups — to share their perspectives on the proposed AFC framework.
💬 To participate:
Click on the “Upload submission” button on the official ACMA webpage to send your views directly to ACMA.
🕒 Submission deadline: 5 pm (AEDT) on Friday, 30 January 2026
Submissions can address any aspect of the discussion paper, including regulatory design, technical implementation, coexistence measures, or potential industry roles in deploying AFC systems.
About the Consultation
The paper explores how an AFC system could be implemented to manage coexistence between Wi-Fi and existing licensed services operating in the 6 GHz band.
Key topics open for comment include:
Licensing and authorisation frameworks for AFC operation
Technical and operational considerations for system management
Benefits and risks for both new users and incumbent services
Planning aspects, including geographic and frequency coordination arrangements
ACMA’s Preliminary Position
ACMA has indicated a preliminary preference for an industry-led approach — where the private sector would play a central role in deploying and managing the AFC system — within a prescriptive, ACMA-defined regulatory framework. However, the Authority remains open to alternative views on the roles of government and industry in establishing and maintaining AFC operations in Australia.
The introduction of AFC has the potential to enhance Wi-Fi performance, expand broadband capacity, and support advanced connectivity applications — while ensuring fair spectrum access and interference protection for existing users in the 6 GHz band. This consultation marks a key step toward modernising Australia’s wireless spectrum management and aligning with international best practices in next-generation Wi-Fi deployment.
C-PRAV supports manufacturers and organisations in achieving regulatory compliance for wireless devices across Australia and New Zealand, including testing, certification, and advisory services in line with ACMA standards.