"In opening this new proceeding, the FCC will conduct a rigorous and technical examination of whether Wi-Fi technologies can successfully use spectrum that is not in use today without causing harmful interference to existing, or future, radio systems that operate in the same frequency block.  This is of critical importance to U.S. consumers and businesses because Wi-Fi usage is simply exploding due to the widespread adoption of smartphones, tablets and laptops. Cisco data reveals that, by 2016, more than half of all IP-based traffic will traverse a Wi-Fi network.  Wi-Fi at the edge of fixed and mobile networks has become a critical broadband access technology.

"Cisco is grateful for the opportunity to engage in a process that elevates the technical examination to the forefront, ahead of any final determinations on the use of the spectrum.  If the technical issues can be satisfactorily resolved, it could lay the foundation for innovative new applications and technology by making available  up to 200 MHz of spectrum for Wi-Fi networks and devices, as well as improving existing access to 5 GHz."