Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator, has proposed dividing the 6 GHz band between mobile and Wi‑Fi services, creating Europe’s first shared spectrum model. The plan aims to provide a practical roadmap for managing increasingly congested wireless environments by enabling coexistence rather than awarding the full band to a single technology.
By adopting a prioritised, shared framework, Ofcom seeks to balance the immediate availability of Wi‑Fi hardware with the capacity needs of mobile network operators (MNOs). That balance will shape procurement choices for Wi‑Fi 7 equipment and influence how organisations plan for private mobile networks going forward.
Hybrid spectrum model for the 6 GHz band
Debate over how to allocate 6 GHz typically pits the Wi‑Fi sector, which wants licence‑exempt access to support multi‑gigabit indoor speeds, against the mobile industry, which argues for more mid‑band spectrum to meet urban capacity demands and future 6G requirements. Ofcom proposes a “prioritised band split” for the upper 6 GHz range (6425–7125 MHz). The regulator would reserve the lower 160 MHz (6425–6585 MHz) primarily for Wi‑Fi use, while the remaining 540 MHz (6585–7125 MHz) would form a “mobile priority” portion.
This approach aligns with the UK’s accelerating full‑fibre rollout, where wired broadband capacity is often ready before in‑home and office wireless airwaves can support equivalent performance. Maintaining a dedicated 160 MHz block for Wi‑Fi is significant for enterprises: it enables wider channels—80 MHz, 160 MHz and potentially 320 MHz—required for high‑throughput use cases such as augmented reality (AR) in engineering, immersive collaboration, and dense video conferencing.
Although the mobile sector would hold priority rights in the larger upper segment, Ofcom proposes that Wi‑Fi could still access that spectrum opportunistically. That means corporate networks could use the full band where mobile operators have not deployed, for example inside enterprise buildings or at rural logistics hubs.
Automated Frequency Coordination as an enabler
The technical enabler for this shared model is Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC), a database‑driven system designed to prevent interference between new users and incumbent services such as fixed links and radio astronomy. AFC differs from static licensing by allowing devices to query a central database to learn which frequencies and power levels are permissible at a specific location.
Using AFC, Ofcom could authorise higher‑power and outdoor Wi‑Fi operation in the lower 6 GHz band immediately, improving connectivity for large venues, university campuses, industrial estates and logistics yards. For sectors like manufacturing and logistics, permitting outdoor Wi‑Fi at higher power (up to 36 dBm EIRP) addresses the limitations of 5 GHz systems that struggle with building penetration and outdoor coverage.
AFC systems already operate in the US and Canada. Adopting a similar framework allows UK enterprises to benefit from hardware economies of scale while Ofcom consults on technical conditions and delegates database operation to third‑party providers rather than managing it directly.
Timing and equipment availability
Wi‑Fi devices that support 6 GHz are commercially available today, while mobile equipment for the band is not expected to reach mass‑market deployment until around 2030. To avoid leaving valuable spectrum unused, Ofcom proposes permitting existing low‑power Wi‑Fi technology to operate in the upper portion of the band by the end of 2026. This market “seeding” allows organisations to refresh device fleets now with hardware that will be compatible with future rules.
That flexibility removes a potential procurement bottleneck for CIOs planning device refresh cycles: purchases made today should comply with forthcoming access conditions, protecting capital expenditure and ensuring readiness for later regulatory updates.
Mobile priority layer
While Wi‑Fi obtains near‑term access, Ofcom preserves capacity for long‑term expansion of public cellular networks. The regulator identifies the upper 540 MHz as necessary to boost capacity in high‑density urban sites where existing mobile bands may become congested later this decade.
Mobile operators face acute capacity pressures in locations such as train stations, stadiums and central business districts. Ofcom plans a different licensing model for this mobile‑priority portion: rather than nationwide auctions, it expects to award sub‑national licences targeted at specific high‑traffic zones. Outside those licensed areas, the spectrum may be available for local licences or continued Wi‑Fi use under AFC rules.
This localised licensing approach could create opportunities for enterprises seeking private 5G in locations where national operators do not deploy. Ofcom will consult further on the precise mechanisms in spring 2026.
Operational challenges and coexistence in the 6 GHz spectrum band
Creating a shared spectrum environment introduces operational complexity. The hybrid model depends on AFC to protect incumbent users. Ofcom notes roughly 500 fixed point‑to‑point links operate in the upper 6 GHz band and are used by sectors such as utilities, finance and transport.
Organisations that rely on these links must ensure their infrastructure is accurately registered in the licensing database so AFC can prevent harmful interference. Ofcom’s modelling indicates AFC can maintain required separation distances—sometimes large in worst‑case scenarios but typically much smaller—so long as incumbent data is correct and up to date.
To foster innovation, Ofcom also proposes allowing Very Low Power (VLP) Wi‑Fi devices in the lower 160 MHz block. VLP devices, operating at modest power levels (up to 15 dBm EIRP) without AFC control, can support wearables, AR glasses and other emerging form factors used for field service, training and lightweight enterprise applications.
Overall, Ofcom’s proposal aims to maximise the economic value of the spectrum by enabling Wi‑Fi to deliver immediate benefits while protecting future rights for mobile operators. The regulator’s approach avoids blocking current utility for a technology ecosystem that has yet to be fully realised.
David Willis, Group Director for Spectrum at Ofcom, said the plan would be “a win for businesses and homes across the country who want both better Wi‑Fi and mobile networks that are fit for the future,” adding that the decision on the lower 6 GHz band will boost broadband services nationwide and help enable future innovations such as 6G.
The consultation on this proposal is open until 20 March 2026. The direction is clear: a flexible, database‑managed spectrum environment that prioritises immediate utility and coexistence over exclusive reservations.
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