Windows 11 with Intel® Wi-Fi 7 BE200 can't detect 6GHz network on Japan outdoor domain AP.

[ArunShankar]

We have the Access Point that operates in both indoor and outdoor modes inside the JP regulatory domain.I have laptops with Intel BE200 wireless cards running Ubuntu 24.04 and Windows 11, respectively.When the Access Point regulatory domain is set to indoor mode, we can view the 6GHZ network on both Windows 11 and Ubuntu 24.04 laptops.

However, the Intel BE200 wireless card running Windows 11 with driver version 23.60.1.2 was unable to detect the 6GHZ when the Access Point regulatory domain was set up in outdoor mode.

This doesn't appear like a hardware issue since my another Ubuntu 24.04 (OS) laptop (Intel BE200 wireless card) was able to see the 6GHZ network when the Access point regulatory domain was set up in outdoor mode. It seems like a software issue.

[ArunShankar]

Hi Team,

Can we get any update from your side

[ArunShankar]

Hi Team,

Can we get any update from your side

[3Fees]

I found this.

In Japan, a 6GHz access point designed for indoor use can operate at full power within the band, while an outdoor access point needs to utilize an Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system to avoid interference with other licensed users in the 6GHz band, meaning it will likely have lower power output and may only access specific channels depending on the location; essentially, indoor 6GHz APs have more flexibility in power usage compared to outdoor ones due to regulatory restrictions.

Key points about Japanese 6GHz access points:

• Indoor APs:

  Can operate at full power within the 6GHz band without needing AFC, offering better range and performance for indoor environments. 

  Outdoor APs:

  Require AFC to operate on 6GHz, which dynamically adjusts the available channels and power levels to avoid conflicts with other services like radar or satellite communications.

Reasons for the difference:

• Regulatory concerns:

  To protect existing users of the 6GHz band, like utility companies, outdoor access points need to be more cautious about potential interference. 

• Power limitations:

  Outdoor APs may have to operate at lower power levels to comply with AFC regulations, limiting their range compared to indoor APs.

  Intel's Wi-Fi 7 technology does support the 6GHz band and therefore includes the Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system necessary for managing channel usage on that band; essentially, all Wi-Fi 7 devices, including Intel's, utilize the 6GHz band with AFC capabilities. 

  Try changing to one of the other allowed " low power channels ".

  Cheers

  3Fees

[ArunShankar]

Hi 3Fees,

Thanks for your response

The problem we are encountering is related to the configuration of the Access Point (AP) regulatory domain as an outdoor domain. In this scenario, the Windows 11 operating system with driver version 23.60.1.2 is unable to detect the 6GHz network. Conversely, the Ubuntu 24.04 laptop, which utilizes an Intel BE200 wireless card, can successfully identify the 6GHz network when the AP is set to outdoor mode. It is also worth noting that the issue does not occur when the AP regulatory domain is configured as indoor, as the Windows 11 system can then detect the 6GHz network.

Note : The client is located very close to AP, there is no chance for low power causing this problem. If there were any power limitations affecting the AP, the Ubuntu 24.04 laptop would also be unable to detect the 6GHz network. However, in this scenario, the problem is isolated to the Windows laptop when the AP regulatory domain is configured as outdoor.

[ArunShankar]

Hi 3Fees,

We have upgraded our Windows 11 driver from version 23.60.1.2 to the latest release, version 23.90.0.2, provided by Intel for the Windows 11 Wi-Fi package drivers 23.90.0, applicable to Intel® Wi-Fi 7/Wi-Fi 6E/Wi-Fi 6 and Intel® 9000 series Wireless Adapters. It is important to note that in this latest version, Windows 11 with driver version 23.90.0.2 was unable to detect the 6GHz network when the regulatory domain is set to outdoor for the Japan country code.

Note : The client is located very close to AP, there is no chance for low power causing this problem. If there were any power limitations affecting the AP, then Ubuntu 24.04 laptop would also be unable to detect the 6GHz network. However, in this scenario, the problem is isolated to the Windows laptop when the AP regulatory domain is configured as outdoor.

[ArunShankar]

Hi 3Fees,

Can we get any update from your side.

[ArunShankar]

Hi 3Fees,

Can we get any update from your side.

[ArunShankar]

Hi 3Fees,

Can we get any update from your side.