New–B Regulatory Domain for US Theater

Recent changes in United States FCC rules requires shifting products from -A domain to -B domain effective June 2, 2016. Access Points using -A domain can continue to operate in the US after the June deadline but all new access points being manufactured or sold after June 2 must be -B domain.

Following is a summary of new FCC rules (FCC Order 14-30) require:

  • U-NII 1 band (5150-5250 MHz) is now allowed for outdoor use. (+4 channels)

  • In the U-NII 1 band (5150-5250 MHz) the allowed TX power level is increased to 1W (for indoor, outdoor, point to point) with extreme restrictions on EIRP above 30–degree horizon when used outdoors

  • The Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) bands (channels 120, 124, 128) are re-opened with new test requirements for Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) protection. (+3 channels)

  • New power spectral density and above/below band edge emissions requirements for U-NII3 (5.725-5.85 GHz)

Figure 1. Spectrum chart depicting new channels in the -B domain



Cisco is aggressively implementing this new FCC order:

  • Cisco WLAN products will comply with new FCC rules

  • Orderability Plans for –B domain SKU’s

    • Recent new AP series already support -B and are orderable; all new AP series going forward will support –B at FCS; many AP series already have –B orderable as well

    • Sales of –A and UX SKU’s to US will start to be restricted starting May 1, 2016

  • Software upgrade is required to support –B domain AP’s

    • US customers who do not plan to deploy –B AP’s are not required to upgrade software; however, they will need to upgrade when they plan to deploy –B AP’s after the June FCC deadline

    • -A and -B domain AP’s can coexist in the same network without issues

  • RMA’s after June deadline of a –A unit will get a –A in return

General thoughts concerning compliance as it relates to the AP 2800 and AP 3800:

  • For US customers the “–B” domain is now used for AP 3800. US customers should not order the –A domain for US based customers. Other countries that use “–A” are unchanged. This change only applies to the US. This new “-B” domain supports the new channels and transmit powers allowed in the US.

  • Customers are responsible for verifying approval for use in their individual countries. To verify approval that corresponds to a particular country or the regulatory domain used in a specific country, visit http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​go/​aironet/​compliance

  • Not all regulatory domains have been approved. As they are approved, the part numbers will be available on the Global Price List.