EU Faces Spectrum Clash as Wi-Fi Groups Urge 6GHz Access

A coalition of 58 internet providers and industry groups, led by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, has urged the European Commission to open the upper 6GHz band for unrestricted Wi-Fi use, challenging telecom operators lobbying to reserve the same spectrum for 5G and 6G mobile networks. The coalition argues that Wi-Fi is essential for indoor connectivity, powering everything from consumer devices to industrial IoT, and that Europe risks falling behind global competitors without access to this additional spectrum. They warn that without more Wi-Fi spectrum, European businesses could face higher costs, reduced access to new technologies, and diminished global competitiveness. In contrast, mobile operators emphasize the importance of reserving the spectrum exclusively for mobile networks to support future 5G and 6G ecosystems. While countries like the US, Canada, and South Korea have already allocated parts of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi, Europe remains cautious, with the EU’s upcoming Digital Networks Act expected to address this spectrum allocation dilemma by late 2025. The dispute highlights the tension between shared spectrum use for Wi-Fi and exclusive access for mobile networks as the EU seeks to future-proof its digital infrastructure.