After conducting more research, the UK telecoms regulator, Ofcom, has today formally begun to consult on a proposal that will allow low power indoor WiFi and mobile broadband (4G, 5G etc.) networks to “share” access to the upper 6GHz radio spectrum band (6425 to 7125MHz). But full implementation could take years.
The regulator has already made the lower part (5925 to 6425MHz) of the 6GHz band available for WiFi under the new WiFi 6E, WiFi 7 and future standards (here), yet the Upper part has remained the subject of some debate. Mobile operators want to harness it (licensed) to deliver faster 5G based data speeds, while others say it should go toward licence-exempt consumer WiFi. Existing users of the band (e.g. fixed services, satellite, radio astronomy etc.) have also sought protection.
Suffice to say, both sides of the debate have been able to field strong arguments and Ofcom has, thus far, opted not to pick a side. Instead, the regulator has been exploring the option of “hybrid sharing” (details), which could potentially enable, with some performance caveats (i.e. co-existence without causing interference is a challenge), the use of both Wi-Fi and mobile in the Upper 6GHz band.
The big development today is that Ofcom has now progressed these ideas into a formal proposal, which is set out below. This will be open to feedback until 5pm on 8th May 2025.
Ofcom’s Proposal
Lower 6 GHz (5925–6425 MHz)
We are consulting on making standard power Wi-Fi (up to 4 Watts) available in the Lower 6GHz band provided it is under the control of an AFC database (this would include outdoor use). This would be subject to a clear expression of demand from industry and an indication that industry parties are willing to provide AFC database services.
Upper 6 GHz (6425–7125 MHz)
We are consulting on a phased approach to maximise the use of spectrum by enabling commercial mobile and W-Fi to share the Upper 6 GHz band. We include detailed proposals to make Wi-Fi available in the band in phase 1. We provide an overview of our expected approach for enabling shared use by mobile in phase 2, including measures that may be needed to facilitate coexistence between mobile and incumbents.
Phase 1 – Initial Wi-Fi access:
We are proposing to authorise low power indoor Wi-Fi (up to 250 milliwatts) across the whole band on a licence exempt basis. We intend to do this as early as feasible, ideally before end 2025.Phase 2 – Adding mobile access:
We intend to propose the specific sharing mechanism between mobile and Wi-Fi, once the European harmonisation is clear. We are currently leaning towards a prioritised spectrum split as our preferred outcome with between 160 and 400 MHz prioritised for Wi-Fi. We expect the remainder (a minimum of 300 MHz) would be prioritised for mobile, enabling high power mobile deployments while still allowing Wi-Fi access to the full band where there is no mobile deployment.We understand demand for this spectrum might be greater in high traffic areas, we therefore intend to authorise mobile use of the band in high density areas (possibly by award) and will decide on the authorisation approach for mobile outside high density areas in due course (possibly through local or smaller area-based licences).
The catch above with Phase 2 (adding mobile access) reflects the admittedly understandable decision to link this change with wider talks on “European harmonisation” (Europe is also looking to adopt a similar approach), with related discussions currently being expected to drag on toward completion by 2027. Suffice to say that it might be a while before mobile operators can harness this band.
Finally, on the changes to the lower part of the band, it’s worth noting that solutions involving the use of a remote database have a bit of a mixed history (e.g. TV White Space wireless technology largely seems to have gone the way of the Dodo). In that sense, we’re not surprised to see Ofcom linking this to the need for a clear expression of industry interest, although that does mean the change may not necessarily come to pass.