State Commission on Radio Frequencies (GRFC) at a meeting in late November may consider increasing the permissible power of radio electronic devices in the 6 GHz band. The corresponding request was received from Apple Russia. The relevant departments, including the security agencies, expressed positive opinions regarding the company’s request.

The increase in power is required by Apple to use the UWB (Ultra Wideband) short-range communication technology available on iPhone 11, 12, and 13. The technology allows UWB devices to identify the location relative to each other. Apple AirTags use UWB along with Bluetooth to help find lost items. UWB is also used in Samsung smartphones, so a positive decision of the Commission will enable other manufacturers to use this technology.

Apple has been trying to get UWB frequencies in Russia since 2019. TGRFC refused because of radio locators using these frequencies, but a year later the Ministry for Digital Development reported that Apple had received a license to test UWB.

Original (in Russian)