1. Upper C-Band Spectrum Expansion and Out-of-Band Emission Requirements

The FCC allocated 160 MHz of spectrum (3.98–4.14 GHz) for terrestrial wireless communications and introduced new out-of-band emission (OOBE) requirements. Although the rules are effective, equipment authorization remains subject to further FCC OET guidance.

2. Wi-Fi 8 Certification Testing Guidance and Technical Developments

Wi-Fi 8 (IEEE 802.11bn) focuses on improving wireless reliability and performance. FCC testing guidance remains under development. Manufacturers are encouraged to prepare detailed test plans and submit KDB inquiries for emerging technologies.

3. FCC Test Report Integrity and Data Traceability Requirements

The FCC emphasized test data integrity and traceability. Sharing identical test data across different FCC IDs requires valid technical justification, proper cross-referencing, and clear documentation of data sources.

4. SAR and IPD RF Exposure Assessment Methods Above 6 GHz

The FCC continues to evaluate SAR and Incident Power Density (IPD) assessment methodologies for higher-frequency devices, including hybrid SAR/IPD approaches for 6–8.5 GHz and Total Exposure Ratio (TER) evaluations.

5. Multi-Antenna SAR Assessment and Dynamic Power Control Verification

The FCC highlighted SAR distribution superposition for simultaneous multi-antenna transmissions and Time-Averaged SAR (TAS) verification, emphasizing power control algorithms, energy budgets, and time-averaged exposure compliance.

6. Regulatory Implications and Certification Recommendations for Wireless Device Manufacturers

Manufacturers should proactively evaluate new spectrum requirements, Wi-Fi 8 testing needs, and RF exposure compliance while strengthening test data management to reduce certification risks and improve time-to-market.

Conclusion

The FCC's 2026 updates reflect the growing importance of higher-frequency technologies, multi-antenna integration, and rigorous test data management. Early compliance planning and continuous monitoring of regulatory developments are essential for successful equipment certification.