A conflict is brewing in Europe over the 6 GHz portion of the wireless spectrum, between those who believe it should be allowed for use by cellular networks and others who want it reserved for Wi-Fi.
The Wi-Fi Alliance and the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) have published open letters addressed to “European digital ministers”, expressing concerns that the upper 6 GHz band (6425 to 7125 MHz) could be banned from Wi-Fi networks in European Union countries.
At the heart of the problem is the fact that new Wi-Fi standards such as Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are capable of using frequencies throughout the 6 GHz band to deliver better performance. But mobile operators are also eyeing this band for 5G and 6G network services.
The European Commission’s Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) is currently exploring ways to share the upper 6 GHz band between license-exempt technologies such as Wi-Fi and mobile networks. The lower part of the band is already license-exempt. UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom is following a similar policy, following a consultation process in 2023.
However, the Wi-Fi camp is concerned that the German government has changed its position in favor of exclusive use of the mobile network in the upper 6 GHz band, which could influence the RSPG’s decision.
A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport told German news site Heise Online: “The frequency requirements of mobile network operators in the upper 6 GHz band are assessed to be higher in the perspective of future 6G applications” than those of Wi-Fi applications.
In response, the Wi-Fi Alliance and DSA are trying to stoke fears that such a move would seriously harm Europe’s digital development, saying Wi-Fi is the primary way consumers access the internet and restricting it would impact progress.
“Blocking Wi-Fi access to the upper 6 GHz band would be devastating for the future of Wi-Fi technology in Europe. This spectrum is uniquely positioned to support the evolution of the Wi-Fi ecosystem and enable the next generation of digital innovation,” the DSA said.
The DSA presents itself as a global body advocating for regulations that enable more efficient use of spectrum, but its membership list appears to be primarily made up of US tech giants – Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Broadcom and Cisco.
The Wi-Fi Alliance complained that its members were working with RSPG proposals to try to use spectrum on a shared basis, in line with the European Commission’s mandate.
“In contrast, the mobile industry is opposed to compromise. It now demands exclusive use of the entire upper 6 GHz band for mobile services, arguing that this would strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty,” the letter said.
He says Wi-Fi has access to “much less spectrum than mobile.” These traffic patterns show that Wi-Fi needs for the upper 6 GHz band far exceed those of mobile.”
The mobile telecommunications sector of course sees things differently. Vodafone has already carried out tests in the upper 6GHz frequencies, reaching download speeds of up to 5Gbps, and saying it should be made available to increase cellular capacity when current bandwidth is exhausted.
Nokia and Swedish telecoms company Telia also carried out a pilot deployment using the higher 6GHz spectrum last year, saying it showed the ability to add “massive capacity” in built-up areas, while still enabling high throughput in suburban or rural areas.
In this regard, the mobile industry enjoys the support of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which reserved the upper 6 GHz band for cellular services at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) in 2023.
However, the US telecommunications regulator, the FCC, reserved the entire 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed operations in 2020. Other countries are not stopped from going their own way.
All eyes will be on the next RSPG plenary meeting on November 12 to see what decision (if any) it will adopt.
A spokesperson for the European Commission sent a statement to The register:
“The Commission is considering a technical harmonization decision on the upper 6 GHz band. To this end, the Commission has tasked the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) with developing harmonized technical conditions at EU level for a preferred use scenario of the band. CEPT is due to submit its final report in July 2027.” ®