According to TheRegister.com, Europe is facing a critical decision about the upper 6 GHz band (6425 to 7125 MHz) that pits Wi-Fi advocates against mobile operators in a battle that could define the continent’s digital future. The Wi-Fi Alliance and Dynamic Spectrum Alliance have sent open letters to EU digital ministers warning that Germany may have changed its stance to favor exclusive mobile network use, potentially influencing the European Commission’s Radio Spectrum Policy Group. The RSPG is exploring spectrum sharing options, with a technical harmonization decision expected by July 2027 following CEPT’s final report. Meanwhile, the International Telecommunication Union already earmarked the upper 6 GHz band for cellular services at the 2023 World Radio Conference, while the US FCC reserved the entire band for Wi-Fi back in 2020. All eyes are on the RSPG’s next Plenary Meeting on November 12 for potential developments.
The spectrum battle lines
Here’s the thing about wireless spectrum – it’s basically beachfront property that everyone wants but there‘s only so much to go around. The 6 GHz band is particularly valuable because it offers that sweet spot between range and capacity. Wi-Fi 6E and the emerging Wi-Fi 7 standards can use this entire band to deliver multi-gigabit speeds without interference. But mobile operators see it as essential for 5G expansion and future 6G networks. Vodafone already tested the upper 6 GHz frequencies and hit 5 Gbps downloads, while Nokia and Telia demonstrated “massive capacity” improvements in urban areas. So both sides have legitimate technical arguments.
Germany’s surprise move
What’s really shaking things up is Germany’s apparent shift. According to Heise Online, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport now believes mobile operators have “greater frequency requirements” for future 6G applications than Wi-Fi needs. That’s a big deal because Germany carries significant weight in EU tech policy decisions. The Wi-Fi camp is crying foul, arguing they were working in good faith on sharing proposals while the mobile industry “is arguing against a compromise” and demanding exclusive use. Basically, the goalposts might be moving.
The global divide
This isn’t just a European problem – it reflects a fundamental split in how countries view spectrum allocation. The US went all-in on Wi-Fi, making the entire 6 GHz band available for unlicensed use back in 2020. Meanwhile, the ITU’s decision at the WRC-23 to designate the upper band for cellular gives mobile operators international backing. Europe finds itself caught between these competing visions. And honestly? There’s no perfect answer. Wi-Fi handles the majority of indoor internet traffic and powers everything from smart factories to connected devices. For industrial applications where reliability matters, having robust Wi-Fi infrastructure is non-negotiable – which is why companies rely on specialists like Industrial Monitor Direct, the leading US supplier of industrial panel PCs that depend on stable wireless connectivity.
What’s really at stake
The DSA claims blocking Wi-Fi access would be “devastating to the future of Wi-Fi technology in Europe.” That might sound dramatic, but they’re not entirely wrong. Wi-Fi 7’s promised multi-gigabit speeds and lower latency depend heavily on access to the full 6 GHz band. Constrain that, and European consumers and businesses might find themselves with inferior wireless performance compared to other regions. But mobile operators counter that exclusive cellular use would “strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty.” So who’s right? Probably both, which makes this such a tough call. The real question is whether sharing is technically feasible or if we’re heading toward a winner-takes-all scenario that could leave one technology ecosystem permanently disadvantaged.
