The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) continues to advocate for policies that support license-exempt access to spectrum as a catalyst for innovation, inclusion, and connectivity. At a recent event hosted by the Wireless Access Providers’ Association (WAPA), DSA President Dr. Martha Suárez addressed a critical issue currently under review by South Africa’s communications regulator, ICASA: the future use of the 6 GHz band.
During her remarks at Wapaloza 2025, Dr. Suárez emphasized that while mobile operators already have access to numerous spectrum bands, Wi-Fi technologies—despite being responsible for an ever-increasing share of connectivity—have not received new spectrum allocations in over two decades. “We are convinced that the best use of the entire 6 GHz band is for license-exempt access,” she stated.
Globally, a growing number of countries—including the United States, Canada, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia—have opted to allocate the entire 6 GHz band to license-exempt technologies, accelerating the adoption of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. In contrast, other countries, such as China, have planned to dedicate the band to cellular use, while others are considering a split model. In South Africa, only the lower part of the band has been allocated to unlicensed services, with the future of the upper portion still undecided.
Dr. Suárez noted that license-exempt access promotes a more diverse and innovative ecosystem, lowering barriers to entry and enabling smaller players, start-ups, and communities to contribute to digital transformation. The maturity of the device ecosystem—already including over 1,200 products compatible with Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7—further strengthens the case for unlicensed use.
At the DSA, we believe that ensuring abundant, affordable, and dynamic spectrum access is vital to bridging the digital divide and achieving inclusive economic growth. As South Africa considers the next steps for the 6 GHz band, we urge regulators to recognize the significant benefits that come from enabling broader license-exempt access.
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Wi-Fi or mobile? Tug-of-war over 6GHz intensifies – TechCentral
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