The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has warned that delay in decisions on the 6GHz spectrum band was stalling essential mobile network infrastructure as the world transitions from 5G to early 6G networks.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Director-General of the GSMA, Vivek Badrinath on Monday.
6 GHz is a radio frequency band used for wireless communications and can provide additional capacity for mobile networks.
The upper 6 GHz band covers 6.425 GHz to 7.125 GHz and is regarded as valuable mid-band spectrum for mobile connectivity.
Badrinath explained that timely decisions on the spectrum would give operators the certainty required to invest in networks and expand capacity.
He noted that global mobile data traffic was continuing to grow, making additional mid-band spectrum increasingly important for future network development.
According to him, the mobile ecosystem is prepared to deploy services in the upper 6 GHz band at scale.
“The message from the mobile ecosystem is clear: we are ready to put the upper 6 GHz spectrum to work for consumers and businesses around the world,” he said.
Badrinath urged governments to translate international harmonisation of the band into improved connectivity by prioritising it for full-power mobile services.
He warned that delayed spectrum decisions could affect operators’ investment plans and slow the deployment of capacity needed to meet future demand.
The director-general stressed that pro-investment spectrum policies would help countries achieve their digital ambitions while supporting efficient and inclusive mobile development.
He described upper 6 GHz as one of the most important opportunities for securing capacity for next-generation mobile networks.
“Timely, pro-investment spectrum decisions are needed to give operators the certainty to invest, to help countries deliver their national digital ambitions,” he said.
Badrinath disclosed that countries representing more than 80 per cent of the world’s population now supported mobile use of upper 6 GHz.
He explained that the band had been harmonised for mobile use at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023.
According to him, the international harmonisation has allowed upper 6 GHz to be incorporated into national spectrum roadmaps across several markets.
He noted that this was creating the scale required to support a strong global ecosystem for mobile devices, chipsets and network equipment.
Badrinath disclosed that more than 60 mobile operators, device manufacturers, chipset makers and network equipment providers had joined the industry’s call for deployment.
He added that the first assignments of upper 6 GHz spectrum had already been completed, with further awards expected across major regions.
The director-general identified Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas as regions where additional assignments were expected as market demand developed.
Badrinath called on governments and regulators to include the full upper 6 GHz band in clear and forward-looking national spectrum roadmaps.
He also urged policymakers to make the band available for full-power macro-cell mobile use to meet growing connectivity needs.
The GSMA boss explained that full-power macro-cell networks could use upper 6 GHz to provide valuable city-wide capacity.
He noted that the additional spectrum would help operators manage rising data traffic while supporting the evolution of 5G-Advanced.
Badrinath maintained that the band would also play an important role in the future introduction of 6G mobile networks.
He explained that channel bandwidths of between 200 MHz and 400 MHz were expected to be required during the 6G era.
According to him, the bandwidth requirement underscores the strategic importance of upper 6 GHz in preparing networks for the next generation.
“Upper 6 GHz represents one of the most important opportunities to secure the capacity needed for the next-generation of mobile networks, creating a clear path from 5G-Advanced to 6G,” he said.
Badrinath stressed that spectrum assignments should be timely and market-driven, with balanced conditions that encouraged operators to invest.
He explained that such an approach would enable efficient use of spectrum while supporting connectivity, innovation and economic growth.
The director-general noted that the international framework for upper 6 GHz was already in place and the mobile ecosystem was ready for deployment.
He urged national policymakers to act promptly, stressing that their decisions would determine whether the band became a cornerstone of sustainable future mobile connectivity.
