AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The announcement this week from FCC Chairman Genachowski regarding plans to make available up to 195 MHz of additional spectrum for license-exempt use in the United States is terrific news for end users and industry alike.  Wi-Fi^® has been an engine of social and economic benefit since 1999, and the proposed spectrum will provide an opportunity for technologies like Wi-Fi to continue to innovate, bringing further social and consumer benefits.  With 5 GHz Wi-Fi devices delivering gigabit performance entering the market now, additional contiguous spectrum in 5 GHz means that users will have an even better experience with applications such as video.

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Analyst firm ABI Research forecasts that the annual number of Wi-Fi devices shipped globally will reach 3 billion by 2016, compared to 1.5 billion shipments in 2012.  With phenomenal growth like that, it's easy to see why additional spectrum is needed. By providing additional spectrum, and thereby creating a contiguous spectrum swath for Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz band, the FCC will ensure that the most value is extracted for the greatest number of users in this spectral band.  Wi-Fi Alliance^® supports this decision and we are ready to collaborate with the Commission as it examines these issues.  We applaud the Commission's vision, leadership, and continued support for advancements in Wi-Fi.

About Wi-Fi Alliance
www.wi-fi.org
Wi-Fi Alliance is a global non-profit industry association of hundreds of leading companies devoted to seamless connectivity. With technology development, market building, and regulatory programs, Wi-Fi Alliance has enabled widespread adoption of Wi-Fi worldwide. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ program was launched in March 2000. It provides a widely-recognized designation of interoperability and quality and it helps to ensure that Wi-Fi-enabled products deliver the best user experience. Wi-Fi Alliance has completed more than 15,000 product certifications, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services in new and established markets. Wi-Fi^®, Wi-Fi Alliance^®, WMM^®, Wi-Fi Protected Access^® (WPA), the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo, the Wi-Fi logo, the Wi-Fi ZONE logo and the Wi-Fi Protected Setup logo are registered trademarks of Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, Wi-Fi Direct™, Wi-Fi Protected Setup™, Wi-Fi Multimedia™, WPA2™, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint™, Passpoint™, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Miracast™, Miracast™, Wi-Fi ZONE™ and the Wi-Fi Alliance logo are trademarks of Wi-Fi Alliance.

SOURCE Wi-Fi Alliance