According to the GSMA, in 2025, the scale of 6 GHz development for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) will continue to grow as more nations deliver a clear roadmap for mobile usage.
This momentum is set to provide telecom operators with the long-term investment certainty they need to drive innovation in future technologies.
Importance of Mid-Band Spectrum
Mid-bands play a vital role in facilitating connectivity as they ensure city-wide coverage and handle around 80% of indoor mobile traffic in urban areas. They are also essential for enterprise digitalization and industrial connectivity.
The ITU WRC-23 achieved a key milestone by allocating more mid-band spectrum to meet rising mobile data demands. Countries representing 60% of the global population advocated for including the upper 6 GHz band (6.425–7.125 GHz) for licensed mobile use. Following WRC-23 decisions, this will now cover 80% of the world's population.
As per the GSMA’s recommendation, mobile networks will require an average of 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum per country by 2030. This will be difficult to achieve without 6 GHz, which is the single largest remaining mid-band block. “Without the 2 GHz, we can’t get the full benefits and the full potential of 5G,” noted Luciana Camargos, Head of Spectrum at GSMA.
Three-Policy Consideration for Upper 6 GHz Band
The GSMA remarked that regulators are considering three different policy options for the upper 6 GHz band, and currently seeking further evidence to determine which technologies will benefit most from additional 6 GHz spectrum allocation.
Option one, which allocates the upper 6 GHz band for licensed, macro-cell mobile use at standard power levels, offers the highest economic advantage. Mobile networks are more likely to face capacity constraints than Wi-Fi, making additional spectrum in this band crucial for improving network quality and user experience, ultimately benefiting the broader economy.
Through efficient spectrum utilization, unlicensed allocations in the 2.4, 5, and lower 6 GHz bands can sufficiently handle expected Wi-Fi demand. Hence, making further unlicensed assignments is unnecessary.
In contrast, option three (shared use) limits the power levels of mobile base stations to enable sharing, which significantly reduces the additional capacity they can deliver. This results in lower economic benefits compared to a fully licensed macro-cell band. Since most mobile traffic occurs indoors, enforcing a shared environment—where mobile operates outdoors and Wi-Fi operates indoors—lacks a clear justification.
UAE: World’s First to Offer 6 GHz Mobile Broadband
In November, 2024, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) updated the UAE’s National Frequency Plan, allocating the 600 MHz and upper 6 GHz bands to mobile services designated for IMT.
“The allocation of the 600 MHz and 6 GHz bands is set to play a pivotal role in advancing 6G development in the UAE. These bands are crucial for ensuring sufficient bandwidth for IMT-2030 applications,” explained Eng. Tariq Al Awadhi, Executive Director, Spectrum Affairs, TDRA.
Being one of the first in the world to offer 6 GHz mobile broadband and one of the earliest movers on 600 MHz in EMEA, the UAE is at the forefront of superfast connectivity, laying the foundation for groundbreaking innovations in 5G-Advanced and 6G technologies.
Following the allocation of the full upper 6 GHz band, e& and du will receive channels of 350 MHz each.
Also Read: Prospects of 6GHz Band in MENA
6 Ghz Adoption Will Accelerate in 2025
In 2024, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico shifted from reserving the entire 6 GHz band for unlicensed use to designating the upper portion for IMT allocations. Hong Kong also concluded the world’s first IMT auction of the upper 6 GHz band before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Cambodia have added it to their spectrum roadmaps and India is also progressing the use of 6 GHz for mobile.
In light of this, by 2025, more nations across APAC, the Gulf, and Latin America are expected to adopt the 6 GHz band for IMT, further accelerating regional developments.
