The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has warned that delays in decisions on the 6GHz spectrum band are stalling essential mobile network infrastructure as the world transitions from 5G to early 6G networks.
This was contained in a statement issued by GSMA Director-General Vivek Badrinath on Monday.
The 6GHz band is a radio frequency used for wireless communications that can provide additional capacity for mobile networks. The upper 6GHz band, covering 6.425 GHz to 7.125 GHz, is regarded as valuable mid-band spectrum for mobile connectivity.
Badrinath explained that timely decisions on the spectrum would give operators the certainty needed to invest in networks and expand capacity. He noted that global mobile data traffic continues to grow, making additional mid-band spectrum increasingly important for future network development.
According to him, the mobile ecosystem is ready to deploy services in the upper 6GHz band at scale.
“The message from the mobile ecosystem is clear: we are ready to put the upper 6GHz spectrum to work for consumers and businesses around the world,” he said.
Badrinath urged governments to translate the 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.
Pro-investment spectrum policies, he stressed, would help countries achieve their digital ambitions while supporting efficient and inclusive mobile development. He described upper 6GHz 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 support mobile use of the upper 6GHz band. The band was harmonised for mobile use at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023, allowing it to be incorporated into national spectrum roadmaps across several markets. This is creating the scale needed to support a strong global ecosystem for mobile devices, chipsets and network equipment.
More than 60 mobile operators, device manufacturers, chipset makers and network equipment providers have joined the industry’s call for deployment. The first assignments of upper 6GHz spectrum have already been completed, with further awards expected across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas as market demand develops.
Badrinath called on governments and regulators to include the full upper 6GHz band in clear and forward-looking national spectrum roadmaps and to make it available for full-power macro-cell mobile use. Full-power macro-cell networks, he explained, could use the band to provide valuable city-wide capacity, helping operators manage rising data traffic while supporting the evolution of 5G-Advanced.
The band will also play an important role in the future introduction of 6G mobile networks. Channel bandwidths of between 200 MHz and 400 MHz are expected to be required during the 6G era, underscoring the strategic importance of upper 6GHz in preparing networks for the next generation.
“Upper 6GHz 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 encourage operators to invest. Such an approach would enable efficient use of spectrum while supporting connectivity, innovation and economic growth.
He noted that the international framework for upper 6GHz is already in place and the mobile ecosystem is ready for deployment. National policymakers, he urged, should act promptly, as their decisions will determine whether the band becomes a cornerstone of sustainable future mobile connectivity.
