The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), in collaboration with 57 internet service providers and industry associations, has formally urged the European Commission to unlock the upper 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi, advocating for unrestricted access to support the growing demand for high-speed wireless connectivity across Europe.
In a letter shared with European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen and reported by Reuters, the signatories emphasized the critical importance of enabling full and unlicensed access to the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi operations. The letter highlights that 'Europe is already behind other countries in adopting the latest Wi-Fi standards,' calling for urgent action to prevent further loss of competitiveness on the global stage.
This move reflects a growing tension between Wi-Fi stakeholders and mobile network operators, who are also lobbying to reserve this same spectrum for exclusive use in 5G and future 6G deployments. However, the Wi-Fi community maintains that a shared access model—rather than exclusive licensing—is essential to serve real-world usage patterns, especially given that most internet traffic in Europe originates or terminates on a Wi-Fi connection.
“Most of the traffic in Europe is indoors. And most of it starts or ends by a Wi-Fi connection,” said Dr. Martha Suarez, President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance. “There is always a hype about 5G, 6G, but we should not forget how users really connect to the internet.”
Countries such as the United States, Canada, South Korea, and others have already adopted progressive spectrum sharing models in the 6 GHz band, providing a roadmap for Europe to follow. Without similar steps, European industries risk facing higher connectivity costs and limited access to emerging technologies—ultimately placing them at a disadvantage in the global digital economy.
The DSA has long championed the case for unlicensed spectrum access, particularly in the 5.9 GHz and 6 GHz bands, as a foundational element for next-generation wireless innovation. We remain committed to working with regulators across the EU to support policies that advance dynamic spectrum access and enable the full economic and social potential of wireless technologies.
The European Commission is expected to present the Digital Networks Act later this year, which will address spectrum policy and other connectivity challenges. Ahead of this, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group is scheduled to meet on June 17.
Read the original Reuters article here