Wi-Fi Industry Battles Mobile Operators Over EU 6GHz Spectrum Allocation
A brewing battle over Europe’s radio spectrum intensified on Wednesday as 58 internet providers and industry associations, led by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, urged the European Commission to allocate more of the 6GHz frequency band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use — a move that directly conflicts with mobile operators’ push to reserve the same frequencies for future 5G and 6G networks.
In a letter addressed to EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen and seen by Reuters, the group called for the upper 6GHz band to be made available for “unrestrained” Wi-Fi operations. The coalition argues that Wi-Fi is critical for consumer and enterprise connectivity and underpins a growing number of technologies, from smart TVs and appliances to industrial IoT systems.
Spectrum Tug-of-War
The call comes just weeks after 12 major telecom operators lobbied the European Union to prioritize the same band for mobile network expansion, citing rising pressure from U.S.-based firms and a desire to maintain European competitiveness in next-generation mobile technologies.
However, Wi-Fi advocates warn that exclusive spectrum allocation for mobile operators could severely restrict businesses’ access to affordable, high-speed internet infrastructure, especially indoors, where Wi-Fi dominates.
“There is always hype about 5G, 6G, but we should not forget how users actually connect to the internet,” said Martha Suarez, president of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance. “Most traffic in Europe starts or ends via Wi-Fi.”
Europe Lagging Behind
The letter criticizes Europe for falling behind countries like the U.S., Canada, and South Korea, which have already designated large parts of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi use. The absence of broader access to this band, the group argues, could make European businesses less competitive and stifle innovation.
Unlike mobile operators that seek exclusive rights to spectrum, the Wi-Fi community promotes a shared access model, allowing multiple technologies and services to coexist in the same frequency range.
What’s Next?
The debate is expected to come to a head as the European Commission prepares the Digital Networks Act, a legislative package due in late 2025 aimed at resolving spectrum policy fragmentation and strengthening EU-wide digital infrastructure.
Ahead of that, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group, which advises the Commission on spectrum matters, is set to meet on June 17, potentially laying the groundwork for a more coordinated EU approach to spectrum management.
