April 2025 marks the 5-year anniversary of the FCC’s launch of the 6 GHz spectrum band for unlicensed use. It’s already extensively utilized by Wi-Fi and different applied sciences within the US and several other worldwide markets, whereas some areas are nonetheless contemplating its future function.
This appears to be an applicable time limit to step again, assess what has occurred with 6 GHz to this point, take into account the doubtless trajectory over the following few years, and in addition examine the US expertise to what has occurred elsewhere around the globe.
It is usually vital to reiterate the worth and significance of unlicensed entry to the entire 1200 MHz band, particularly as new units and functions depend on wider channels for max efficiency. Whereas debates proceed within the US and different nations on find out how to launch extra spectrum to {the marketplace}, policymakers ought to keep away from disruption to the 6 GHz band. They need to recognise the numerous investments made to leverage this spectrum for unlicensed use, alongside the rising demand for Wi-Fi. The utility and worth of entry to the complete band is already big and rising frequently.
The 6 GHz timeline
The FCC’s April 2020 adoption of a Report and Order on 6 GHz happened 18 months after the preliminary 2018 proposal (Discover of Proposed Rulemaking or NPRM) with preliminary background work being achieved way back to 2016. The foundations turned efficient a number of months later, in July 2020.
Nearly instantly after the rules solidified, work started on creating, designing and deploying units and entry factors able to utilizing the 6 GHz band, initially as Wi-Fi 6E, and subsequently Wi-Fi 7. Particularly, the complete band runs between 5.925-7.125 GHz, yielding 1200 megahertz of spectrum, particularly for low-power indoor (LPI) use. The primary shipments of apparatus able to utilizing the 6 GHz band occurred across the finish of 2020, and have been accelerating swiftly ever since
The preliminary 6 GHz industrial focus was on the high-end client market and modern enterprise deployments, however that has subsequently broadened to mainstream residential, public venue and basic enterprise settings. A rising set of ISPs now bundle Wi-Fi 7 routers or gateways with their gigabit-grade broadband providers.
For a memorable information level, take into account that there are more likely to be over a billion 6 GHz-capable units (projection primarily based on reported 2024 information from IDC and 6 GHz evaluation from ABI Analysis) resembling smartphones, laptops and VR/AR headsets being shipped worldwide throughout 2025, plus maybe 200 million entry factors (APs) and gateways supporting the band. For the US alone, these figures are roughly 150 million and 40 million respectively. By 2027, nearly all top- and mid-tier smartphones within the US will ship with 6 GHz assist, in addition to a rising vary of different client and IoT units.
Whereas the preliminary focus was on 6 GHz LPI for residential and enterprise use, two different choices have additionally been pursued.
Customary-power units, together with these for outside use, can be utilized in two sub-bands of the 6 GHz vary. These are linked to a dynamic spectrum database known as an AFC (automated frequency coordinator), to keep away from creating interference to remaining incumbent customers — notably mounted microwave hyperlinks and a few satellite tv for pc belongings. There’s additionally curiosity in utilizing standard-power indoors, to enhance protection and through-the-wall efficiency.
There’s one other ongoing effort to standardize and regulate very low-power (VLP) 6 GHz merchandise for indoor and outside use, with out worrying about incumbents close by. The first use can be connecting units to close by equipment, for instance wearables and headphones, or for clusters of IoT merchandise resembling sensors.
Wi-Fi will not be the one know-how that may use the unlicensed 6 GHz band — a brand new model of Bluetooth Low Power is being developed to take advantage of the identical frequency vary and coexist with Wi-Fi. There are additionally proprietary point-to-point wi-fi methods meant for mounted outside 6 GHz use at the side of AFC methods.
The advantages of 6 GHz and Wi-Fi 7 — and the function of extensive channels
Wi-Fi 6E first added the 6 GHz band to the prevailing model 6 normal, nevertheless it was the newer model 7 which was designed ground-up with the additional spectrum in thoughts. That has pushed ahead what is feasible – the trade emphasis with Wi-Fi 7 has shifted considerably.
There’s now far more give attention to demanding functions requiring extensive channels with 160 or 320 megahertz of spectrum, dense multi-device robustness and demanding use instances resembling robotics, AR/VR or working from residence. Whereas theoretical most throughput speeds have elevated, the principle focus is on real-world efficiency and mitigation of interference.
Most channel width and a number of “non-overlapping” channels are key standards right here.
Most conventional Wi-Fi deployments in houses and enterprises use slender 20 MHz or 40 MHz channels. These have solely restricted capability. Wi-Fi 7 working within the 6 GHz band permits creation and use of a lot wider 160 megahertz or 320 megahertz channels. These yield most information charges that may be 5 Gbps and even increased, whereas additionally supporting a lot decrease latency, and the power to do extremely correct place sensing.
Vast channels are vital for optimum use by high-resolution video cameras and shows, immersive units resembling VR headsets, or a rising vary of commercial management and automation methods, in addition to mounted and cell robots.
Critically, it isn’t ample to have sufficient spectrum for only a single extensive channel. There must be sufficient whole spectrum for a number of 160/320MHz channels for use by neighbouring APs, with out creating interference. Take into consideration a multi-floor workplace constructing or condominium block, or an open-plan manufacturing facility.
Good Wi-Fi design, for dependable connectivity, normally wants at the least three and generally as many as 9 “non-overlapping” channels. For visible depiction of the variations between partial availability of 6 GHz, in comparison with the complete 1200 MHz band, this video demonstrates the impression on a typical real-world deployment of Wi-Fi in a constructing resembling a college.
In different phrases, ample spectrum is a basic ingredient for these new and evolving functions in each residence and enterprise settings, with the complete 6 GHz band taking part in a central function, as it could actually assist 3x 320MHz or 7x 160MHz channels. There can also be older Wi-Fi units in use in the identical location, particularly in residential settings, so the brand new extensive channels must keep away from conflicts with them.
Different key points of 6 GHz-based Wi-Fi 7 embrace:
- Multi-user connections: the 6 GHz band permits lots of of units to be supported concurrently on every AP, offering sturdy assist for intensive Wi-Fi environments resembling factories, airports and sports activities venues.
- Multi-link operation (MLO): The 6 GHz band may be blended with the standard 2.4GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, to enhance reliability, mobility assist and scale back real-world latency.
- Deterministic latency: Wi-Fi 7 allows methods to assist time-sensitive (or deterministic) latency, with 6 GHz spectrum a key enabler. The primary functions are in industrial settings, as an example in taking common sensor readings, or permitting a number of transferring machines or robots to work in shut proximity with out collision.
In residence broadband, there’s a rising alignment of 6 GHz-based Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 with high-end ISP bundles providing gigabit speeds or increased. Whereas it’s nonetheless debatable what number of particular person units or functions actually need symmetric 1G or 2G+ entry within the subsequent few years, ISPs may be sure that some prospects who buy top-end providers can even use some type of speed-test to verify it really works as marketed.
The worldwide 6 GHz panorama
Wanting past the US market, the worldwide adoption of 6 GHz for wi-fi use has adopted plenty of completely different trajectories. Numerous organizations such because the Wi-Fi Alliance monitor developments on an ongoing foundation.
- Related method to the US: Various vital markets have adopted the same path, releasing the complete 1200MHz of spectrum for unlicensed use at low energy ranges. Canada, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Kazakhstan and Colombia are a few of these. A quantity are additionally investigating the potential for increased energy use with assistance from an AFC database – with Canada already allowing this.
- Begin with the decrease a part of the band, determine on the higher 6 GHz later: The subsequent most typical method has been for regulators to launch the decrease 6 GHz band (about 500MHz) for low-power unlicensed use, after which have interaction in an extended course of of research and debate in regards to the remaining 700MHz and its allocation for Wi-Fi and/or licensed mobile. Most European nations, Japan and Australia have taken this path. Within the UK, Ofcom has just lately recommended a two-phase method to the higher 6GHz, permitting LPI instantly after which addressing a posh “hybrid sharing” idea subsequently.
- Focus 6 GHz on mobile 5G/6G use instances: China intends to launch the band for licensed mobile use, somewhat than unlicensed for Wi-Fi or different applied sciences. Nevertheless, to date its plans haven’t but been realised – and solely Hong Kong has (partly) allotted the band to this point, with a latest public sale that demonstrated lackluster valuations and lukewarm enthusiasm.
- No choice: Markets resembling India, and lots of in Africa and elsewhere are nonetheless assessing the choices.
Whereas the vitriolic debates about 5G/6G vs. Wi-Fi proceed to absorb regulators’ and lobbyists’ time around the globe, sure points appear clear. Any use of the band for high-power mobile deployments will take a very long time to be realised, and can in any case be confined to particular areas somewhat than nationwide deployments. Out of doors-to-indoor penetration will likely be extraordinarily poor. Tools will not be but obtainable, both for the principle macro community or devoted in-building methods.
Which means any theoretical financial advantages for 5G/6G have to be calculated with a number of years’ price of reductions and scaled appropriately for very-limited protection areas. This implies the HK public sale outcomes weren’t an anomaly — this band will wrestle to ship both a lot helpful mobile capability or vital public sale income in comparison with lower-midband releases. Many present financial analyses of 6 GHz 5G appear inflated and primarily based on unrealistic assumptions.
Abstract and conclusion
6 GHz Wi-Fi is already gaining traction around the globe. By the point that 6 GHz-capable mobile units and networks begin delivery in bulk in China and aligned markets, there will likely be billions of Wi-Fi 7 merchandise already in customers’ palms, houses or factories within the US and elsewhere.
In the meantime, cell information site visitors is flattening nearly in every single place, which suggests further capability will not be even wanted, even when 6 GHz spectrum is made obtainable to community operators. They could ultimately be capable of create new 6G options within the 6 GHz band within the 2030s, nevertheless it can’t create speedy financial, employment or client advantages akin to these estimated for 6GHz Wi-Fi.
The US and several other different nations have taken an early lead in enhancing their indoor wi-fi connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 and assist of the complete 1200 MHz band. Out of doors and different use instances are beginning to emerge as nicely, along with further applied sciences resembling 6 GHz Bluetooth on the horizon. There are even arguments that recommend the 7 GHz band would possibly add additional worth for unlicensed use, whereas coexisting with vital incumbent customers resembling protection methods.
The primary 5 years of 6 GHz have seen fast adoption and the creation of serious worth and alternative, regardless of a mature Wi-Fi market. The subsequent 5 years ought to see elevated innovation, as new use-cases leverage the broader 160/320MHz channels and enhanced latency and reliability it presents.
