Regulatory Compliance News

FCC Issues Major Updates to Equipment Covered List and 6 GHz Operations

On January 7, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced significant regulatory shifts impacting uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and unlicensed 6 GHz operations. Based on a new National Security Determination from the Department of War (DoW), the FCC is exempting specific classes of drones and critical components from its "Covered List". These exemptions, effective until January 1, 2027, apply to equipment listed on the DCMA's Blue UAS Cleared List and products that meet the "domestic end product" criteria under the Buy American Standard.

The update clarifies that while foreign-produced UAS generally pose national security risks, those meeting rigorous cyber and hardware assessments are cleared for U.S. markets to maintain domestic industrial resiliency. Manufacturers can also pursue "Conditional Approvals" for specific components by submitting supply chain data to drones@fcc.gov. Importantly, these new restrictions are forward-looking and do not impact the continued use of previously authorized devices.

For high-speed wireless innovation, the FCC is set to vote on creating a "Geofenced Variable Power" (GVP) device category for the 6 GHz band. These devices will overcome the limits of current Low Power Indoor (LPI) systems by allowing higher-power, outdoor mobility through geofenced exclusion zones that protect licensed incumbents. This advancement is expected to supercharge applications in AR/VR, industrial automation, and precision navigation.