Japan Amends Radio Equipment Regulations for WLAN Systems

On March 1, 2019, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) proposed a partial revision of the Radio Equipment Regulations.

In order to meet demands for improved efficiency of Wireless LAN (WLAN) connections and manage the currently increased traffic of the mobile communications, the Ministry amended the technical regulations for WLAN Systems to support IEEE 802.11ax.

This amendment affects Wireless LAN (WLAN) systems (2.4/5.2/5.3/5.6GHz band).

The main changes include:

1.allow WLAN systems to operate with IEEE 802.11ax support

2.allow Channel 144 for WLAN use

3.revise the Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) radar detection mechanism employed in the WLAN system operating in the 5.25-5.35 GHz band

Tentatively, the Notice will enter into force in June or July of 2019.