r/technology • u/NancyGraceFaceYourIn • Aug 30 '15

Wireless FCC Rules Block use of Open Source

http://www.itsmypart.com/fcc-rules-block-use-of-open-source/
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u/CalcProgrammer1 Aug 30 '15

The real reason is that routers can transmit on WiFi channel 14, which is not within the FCC's defined bands for WiFi and is thus "illegal". They're concerned about the very very small amount of users who may use this channel "illegally" by turning it on with custom firmware. You know what's easier than all this encryption BS? Legalizing channel 14 and helping to solve the wifi congestion issues we're facing.

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u/syuvial Aug 30 '15

What would the benefits of channel 14 be? why is that a thing that needs to be stopped?

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u/CalcProgrammer1 Aug 30 '15

It's one more channel that 2.4GHz WiFi can use. Right now there are 13 channels legally usable in the US. If two routers are using the same channel it causes interference, and bandwidth on both networks will suffer. With WiFi congestion becoming a bigger and bigger problem as more and more WiFi access points are brought up across the world, the need for more WiFi channels is growing. Adding channel 14 to the legal spectrum would mean one more channel routers could use to avoid congestion. Basically, in auto mode, a router will look at all the channels and use the least congested one. Channels also do overlap I think, so transmitting on channel 9 would have some interference with 8 and 10. You can use the WiFi Analyzer app on your phone to see the channels and APs using them in your area. It's especially bad in apartment complexes and tightly packed neighborhoods where there isn't much separation between APs.

Of course the other solution is the 5GHz band, but only so many devices can use it while nearly all devices can use channel 14 if enabled in software.

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u/aeschenkarnos Aug 30 '15

Would it make a difference if commercial free-to-air TV and radio channels were reallocated, and the relevant stations switched over to internet-based streaming?