Wi-Fi rules by region
What the regulator allows in 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz: indoors, outdoors, and on a vehicle. Every rule cites its instrument and locator. Where a rule does not address an AGV or AMR, the page says so and quotes the rule instead of guessing.
- CanadaISED rules let Wi-Fi run on a plant floor in 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz, but 5150-5250 MHz is indoor-only, the DFS channels must give way to radar, and every 6 GHz class except very low power is barred from automobiles, trains and vessels in wording that never names an AGV or AMR.
- United StatesFCC rules let Wi-Fi run on a plant floor in 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz, but the DFS channels must give way to radar, and every 6 GHz device class carries location limits whose vehicle wording never names an AGV or AMR.
Radios on vehicles, side by side
The vehicle rules were written for cars, trains, boats, and aircraft. An "unclear" here means the rule does not say how it applies to a vehicle on a plant floor.
| Band segment | On a vehicle |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz ISM band2400 to 2483.5 MHz | PermittedRSS-247 section 6 sets no vehicle restriction for 2400-2483.5 MHz.RSS-247, Section 6 |
| 5150-5250 MHz5150 to 5250 MHz | UnclearUse inside trains counts as indoor operation, and OEM devices installed in vehicles by vehicle manufacturers are permitted (at most 30 mW EIRP), none on airplanes; a vehicle is a machine carrying people or cargo "on a road", and AGVs and AMRs on a plant floor are not addressed.RSS-247, 3, Vehicle; 7.3.1.1; 7.3.1.2 |
| 5250-5350 MHz (DFS)5250 to 5350 MHz | UnclearIn vehicles "only in-vehicle OEM devices installed by vehicle manufacturers are permitted", none on airplanes, and a vehicle is a machine carrying people or cargo "on a road"; AGVs and AMRs on a plant floor are not addressed.RSS-247, 3, Vehicle; 7.3.2.1 |
| 5470-5725 MHz (DFS)5470 to 5725 MHz | PermittedSection 7.3.3 sets no vehicle restriction for 5470-5725 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.3 |
| 5725-5850 MHz5725 to 5850 MHz | PermittedSection 7.3.4 sets no vehicle restriction for 5725-5850 MHz.RSS-247, 7.3.4 |
| 5850-5895 MHz5850 to 5895 MHz | UnclearSection 7.3.5 names no vehicle rule, but fixed outdoor devices may not be used while in motion and indoor access points must be wired-powered and not battery powered; AGVs and AMRs are not addressed.RSS-247, 3; 7.3.5.1 |
| 5925-6875 MHz5925 to 6875 MHz | UnclearDevices other than very low power "shall not be used on automobiles", trains or maritime vessels; AGVs and AMRs are not addressed.RSS-248, 4.8.1 |
| 6875-7125 MHz6875 to 7125 MHz | UnclearDevices other than very low power "shall not be used on automobiles", trains or maritime vessels; AGVs and AMRs are not addressed.RSS-248, 4.8.1 |
| Band segment | On a vehicle |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz ISM band2400 to 2483.5 MHz | Permitted15.247 sets no vehicle, boat or aircraft restriction for 2400-2483.5 MHz.47 CFR 15.247, 15.247 (whole section) |
| U-NII-15150 to 5250 MHz | Permitted15.407 sets no vehicle, boat or aircraft restriction for 5150-5250 MHz; its operational restrictions in paragraph (d) cover only 6 GHz.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.407(a)(1), (d) |
| U-NII-2A (DFS)5250 to 5350 MHz | Permitted15.407 sets no vehicle, boat or aircraft restriction for 5250-5350 MHz.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.407(a)(2), (d) |
| U-NII-2C (DFS)5470 to 5725 MHz | Permitted15.407 sets no vehicle, boat or aircraft restriction for 5470-5725 MHz.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.407(a)(2), (d) |
| U-NII-35725 to 5850 MHz | Permitted15.407 sets no vehicle, boat or aircraft restriction for 5725-5850 MHz.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.407(a)(3)(i), (d) |
| U-NII-45850 to 5895 MHz | Unclear15.407 sets no vehicle rule for 5850-5895 MHz, but 15.403 requires an indoor access point to be wired-powered and not battery powered; neither text addresses AGVs or AMRs.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.403, Indoor Access Point; 15.407(a)(3) |
| U-NII-55925 to 6425 MHz | UnclearThe rule bars standard power access points, fixed clients and indoor access points "on vehicles (e.g., cars, trains)"; it does not name AGVs, AMRs, other client devices, VLP or GVP devices.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.407(d)(1)(ii) |
| U-NII-66425 to 6525 MHz | UnclearThe rule bars indoor access points "on vehicles (e.g., cars, trains)"; it does not name AGVs, AMRs, other client devices or VLP devices.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.407(d)(1)(ii) |
| U-NII-76525 to 6875 MHz | UnclearThe rule bars standard power access points, fixed clients and indoor access points "on vehicles (e.g., cars, trains)"; it does not name AGVs, AMRs, other client devices, VLP or GVP devices.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.407(d)(1)(ii) |
| U-NII-86875 to 7125 MHz | UnclearThe rule bars indoor access points "on vehicles (e.g., cars, trains)"; it does not name AGVs, AMRs, other client devices or VLP devices.47 CFR part 15, subpart E, 15.407(d)(1)(ii) |
A summary of published rules for planning, not legal advice.