Europe's 6 GHz Spectrum Decision: A Battle for Digital Supremacy
A heated debate is raging in Europe over the allocation of the 6 GHz wireless spectrum. The question at hand is whether this spectrum should be licensed for cellular networks or reserved for Wi-Fi. The stakes are high, as the decision will shape the future of digital connectivity across the continent.
The Wi-Fi Alliance and the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) have raised concerns in open letters addressed to EU digital ministers. They fear that the upper 6 GHz band (6425 to 7125 MHz) might be restricted for Wi-Fi networks in European Union countries. This is a critical issue because newer Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are designed to utilize the entire 6 GHz band for enhanced performance.
However, mobile operators are also vying for this spectrum for 5G and 6G network services. The European Commission's Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) is exploring ways to share the upper 6 GHz band between license-exempt technologies like Wi-Fi and mobile networks. The lower part of the band is already license-exempt, and Britain's telco regulator Ofcom is adopting a similar policy.
The Wi-Fi camp is concerned that the German government may have shifted its stance to favor exclusive mobile network use of the upper 6 GHz band. This shift could significantly impact the RSPG's decision. A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport stated that mobile network operators' frequency requirements in the upper 6 GHz band are deemed more critical for future 6G applications than those of Wi-Fi.
In response, the Wi-Fi Alliance and the DSA are warning that limiting Wi-Fi access to the upper 6 GHz band would severely hinder Europe's digital development. They argue that Wi-Fi is the primary means by which consumers access the internet, and restricting it would impede progress. The DSA emphasizes the spectrum's role in sustaining Wi-Fi's evolution and enabling digital innovation.
The mobile telecoms industry, however, sees things differently. Vodafone has conducted tests in the upper 6 GHz frequencies, achieving impressive download speeds of up to 5 Gbps. They argue that the spectrum should be made available to boost cellular capacity when current bandwidth becomes insufficient. Nokia and Swedish telco Telia have also conducted a pilot deployment using the upper 6 GHz spectrum, claiming it can add significant capacity in built-up areas while maintaining high throughput in suburban or rural regions.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) supports the mobile industry's stance, having designated the upper 6 GHz band for cellular services at the World Radio Conference in 2023. However, the U.S. telco regulator, the FCC, reserved the entire 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed operations in 2020. This decision does not prevent other countries from following their own path.
The outcome of this spectrum allocation battle will have far-reaching consequences for Europe's digital landscape. All eyes are on the RSPG's upcoming Plenary Meeting on November 12th, where a crucial decision (if any) will be made. The European Commission's stance is clear: a technical harmonization decision on the upper 6 GHz band is in the works, with the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) tasked with developing EU-harmonized technical conditions for a preferred usage scenario of the band. The CEPT is expected to deliver its final report in July 2027.
