On August 1, 2022, New Zealand RSM (Radio Spectrum Management) updated the indicative summary of the outcomes for 6 GHz WLAN, summarizing the technical requirements of Wi-Fi 6E band 5 5925 ~ 6425 MHz. At present, the Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Radio License for Short Range Devices) Notice 2022 has updated the spectrum of Wi-Fi 6E, and the Radiocommunications Regulations (Radio Standards) Notice 2020 will be updated shortly. So far, two RCM certified countries, Australia and New Zealand, have opened Wi-Fi 6E.
Here is the interpretation of relevant Australian regulations:
▲ Technical Requirements --------------------------
Summary of technical conditions for 6 GHz WLAN:
| Permitted frequency band | Category | Max. EIRP | Max. PSD (EIRP) | Conditions |
| 5925-6425 MHz | Low Power Indoor (LPI) | 24 dBm(250 mW) | 11 dBm/MHz (12.6 mW/MHz) | Indoor use only within a building or within an enclosed space having attenuation characteristics at least equivalent to those of a building |
Very Low Power (VLP) | 14 dBm(25.11 mW) | 1 dBm/MHz (1.26 mW/MHz) | No indoor restriction (i.e. Outdoor is permitted) | |
| Applicable Standard:ETSI EN 303 687 “6 GHz WAS/RLAN” | ||||
As shown in the table above, at present, Wi-Fi 6E band 5 in New Zealand is only allowed to be used in Low Power Indoor (LPI) and Very Low Power (VLP) (the same as Australia).
▲ New Zealand & Australia VS Europe & America -----------------------
Comparison of Wi-Fi 6E technical requirements between New Zealand, Australia, EU and the United States:
EC | Technical requirements | FCC § 15.407 | ETSI EN 303 687 Draft | AS/NZS 4268:2017 Amendment 1:2021 |
| SP | Frequency bands (MHz) | 5925 ~ 6425 & 6525 ~ 6875 | - | - |
| AP & Fixed Client | Power: 36 dBm EIRP & PSD: 23 dBm/MHz EIRP | |||
| Client under control of SP AP | Power: 30 dBm EIRP & PSD: 17 dBm/MHz EIRP | |||
| Special requirements | Automated Frequency Coordination | |||
| LPI | Frequency bands (MHz) | 5925 ~ 7125 | 5945 ~ 6425 | 5925 ~ 6425 |
| AP & Subordinate | Power: 30 dBm EIRP & PSD: 5 dBm/MHz EIRP | Power: 23 dBm EIRP & PSD: 10 dBm/MHz EIRP | Power: 24 dBm EIRP & PSD: 11 dBm/MHz EIRP | |
| Client under control of LPI AP | Power: 24 dBm EIRP & PSD: -1 dBm/MHz EIRP | |||
| Special requirements | Contention-based protocol | Channel access mechanism, Receiver blocking & Receiver selectivity | Contention-based protocols for multiple access (only Australia) | |
| VLP | Frequency bands (MHz) | - | 5945 ~ 6425 | 5925 ~ 6425 |
| AP & Client | Power: 14 dBm EIRP & PSD: 1 dBm/MHz EIRP | Power: 14 dBm EIRP & PSD: 1 dBm/MHz EIRP | ||
| Special requirements | Channel access mechanism, Receiver blocking & Receiver selectivity | Contention-based protocols for multiple access (only Australia) | ||
◆ Note: ○ SP: Standard Power; ○ LPI: Low Power Indoor; ○ VLP: Very Low Power; ○ AFC: Automated Frequency Coordination. | ||||
▲ Test Reference --------------------------
Since the Radiocommunications Regulations (Radio Standards) Notice has not been updated, it is not clear which standard New Zealand Wi-Fi 6E refers to. ETSI EN 303 687 is mentioned in the RSM. According to previous experience, the test should refer to CE / FCC 6E standard, and the equipment category and power & PSD in New Zealand are similar to CE 6E, so it is recommended to use CE 6E standard for testing.
New Zealand is still in a wait-and-see attitude towards the higher band of Wi Fi 6e (6425 ~ 7125 MHz), and it does not intend to open it at this stage. After the Wi-Fi 6E band in New Zealand is updated, BTL will share the latest information with you.
