The 6 GHz spectrum sharing proposal outlines a Wi-Fi-first, mobile-later strategy
In sum – what to know:
Wi-Fi first, cell later – The split-priority strategy provides Wi-Fi early and broader entry to the higher 6 GHz band — beneath AFC management — whereas reserving spectrum for cell companies to be launched later in high-demand city areas.
A definite 6 GHz path – Ofcom’s proposal blends European mobile-centric considering with components of U.S.-style unlicensed entry, signaling a realistic try and steadiness speedy connectivity wants with long-term cell and 6G planning.
The U.Okay.’s Ofcom is trying to increase entry to the 6 GHz band for each cell and Wi-Fi companies by way of a brand new spectrum sharing proposal. The proposal outlines permitting present low-power Wi-Fi expertise to make use of this portion of the spectrum by the top of the 12 months. “Cellular will come later, mentioned Ofcom, with a deal with serving densely populated areas the place demand is highest.”
Below the proposal, the decrease 160 MHz of the band (6425–6585 MHz) could be designated as “Wi-Fi-priority”, whereas the higher 540 MHz (6585–7125 MHz) could be reserved for “mobile-priority” use.
Ofcom says the Wi-Fi-priority portion could be made accessible on the identical foundation because the Decrease 6 GHz band, supporting indoor and very-low-power Wi-Fi, in addition to outside and higher-power Wi-Fi deployments the place operation is managed by an automatic frequency coordination (AFC) system.
The regulator can also be proposing to permit early Wi-Fi entry within the mobile-priority portion of the Higher 6 GHz band. Nevertheless, in response to suggestions from its February 2025 session, Ofcom would limit this entry to AFC-controlled Wi-Fi, guaranteeing that Wi-Fi use will be cleared on a location- and channel-specific foundation as cell networks are deployed.
“This new spectrum-sharing strategy would supply a major improve in capability for each cell and Wi-Fi companies,” Ofcom claimed. “This may help the broadband sector to offer superior Wi-Fi to companies, business, and houses. It could additionally assist cell corporations sustain with demand in busy places, help data-hungry applied sciences like digital actuality and AI, and put together for the introduction of 6G in [the] future.”
In a separate determination, the fee can also be proposing modifications to how the Decrease 6 GHz band is used. Whereas the band is at present restricted to low-power and indoor Wi-Fi, it might be opened as much as higher-power and outside Wi-Fi deployments, enabled by means of the usage of AFC.
The announcement comes mere days after the U.S. Federal Communications Fee (FCC) mentioned it can vote this month on an order to increase unlicensed operations within the 6 GHz spectrum. The vote, it mentioned, would create a brand new class of excessive‑energy, outdoor-capable gadgets referred to as “geofenced variable energy” (GVP) gadgets, which promise quicker, extra versatile wi-fi connectivity for shoppers and companies alike.
Not like AFC-managed techniques, GVP gadgets would function at an intermediate energy degree inside outlined exclusion zones to guard incumbents, permitting larger vary than very-low-power gadgets with out requiring AFC checks.
Trade observers famous that the FCC’s transfer highlights a rising divergence between U.S. and European approaches to six GHz spectrum coverage. “Whereas Europe is trying to reserve the higher 6 GHz band for cell, the U.S. is doubling down on unlicensed entry,” mentioned Richard Haas, a spectrum coverage advisor at LS Telecom. “Fairly than simply defending the 6 GHz band from cell, the FCC is increasing the chances of what you are able to do within the band.”
Broadcom’s Director of Product Advertising and marketing Chris Szymanski instructed RCR Wi-fi Information that each are “very constructive developments.” He continued: “I’m excited that the U.Okay. is transferring ahead with customary energy within the decrease 6 GHz. This can present much-needed capability in outside areas… Whereas I’m dissatisfied that they haven’t but moved ahead with a rule to allow opportunistic use within the Higher 6 GHz, I’m glad they proceed to contemplate such use.”
What this implies for Wi-Fi distributors, cell operators, and customers
For Wi-Fi distributors, Ofcom’s proposal creates a near-term development alternative. The staged entry mannequin permits Wi-Fi tools that already exists — significantly Wi-Fi 6E and upcoming Wi-Fi 7 platforms — to increase into extra 6 GHz capability with out ready for cell deployments. The power to function indoor and very-low-power Wi-Fi with out AFC, mixed with AFC-enabled standard-power outside use, provides distributors a clearer path to deploy higher-performance networks for enterprises, campuses, and industrial websites.
For cell operators, the framework is extra about safety than immediacy. Whereas operators don’t achieve near-term entry to the higher 6 GHz band, Ofcom is preserving a mobile-priority section and guaranteeing that any early Wi-Fi use there will be cleared as wanted. This safeguards future 5G-Superior and 6G deployment choices, significantly in dense city areas, with out forcing operators to put money into spectrum or tools years forward of demand.
It looks as if Wi-Fi distributors may profit first, however operators maintain the long-term benefit. Ofcom’s strategy prioritizes the speedy capability wants of Wi-Fi, one thing the business has been noting for a while. As Szymanski commented, will probably be a few years earlier than IMT can “deploy something of benefit within the Higher 6 GHz band — if ever.”
However Ofcom additionally isn’t foreclosing the band’s future position in cell and 6G networks — a compromise that many really feel displays timing realities greater than a shift in spectrum ideology. For Szymanski, although, this additionally implies that the U.Okay. business and customers can have an “impaired wi-fi broadband expertise” in contrast to people who have opened up the entire band, just like the U.S. and Canada. “I hope that the U.Okay. will prioritize this effort and transfer ahead speedily in order that its residents will be capable of use wi-fi broadband tools to its full capability,” he mentioned.
Ofcom has opened a public session on the proposal, with responses due by 20 March 2026.
