- Ofcom has proposed a phased approach to allow low-power indoor Wi-Fi and mobile broadband networks to share the upper 6GHz radio spectrum band (6425 to 7125 MHz) in the UK.
- The proposal aims to enhance spectrum utilization and support the growing demand for high-speed wireless services.
What happened: Ofcom Proposes Sharing Upper 6GHz Band for UK Mobile and WiFi
Ofcom has proposed a plan to allow low-power indoor Wi-Fi and mobile broadband networks to share the upper 6GHz band (6425 to 7125 MHz) in the UK. This move aims to improve spectrum usage and meet the growing demand for high-speed wireless services.
The proposal includes a two-phase approach. The first phase would allow low-power indoor Wi-Fi services to use the entire band on a licence-exempt basis by the end of 2025. In the second phase, mobile operators would also gain access to part of the spectrum, with a focus on high-density areas for better network performance.
This initiative seeks to balance the needs of both Wi-Fi and mobile services while improving spectrum efficiency.
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Why it’s important
Sharing the upper 6GHz band between Wi-Fi and mobile networks is expected to alleviate spectrum congestion and enhance the quality of wireless services in the UK. By enabling both services to operate within the same frequency range, the proposal aims to support the growing demand for high-speed internet access, particularly in urban areas where network congestion is most prevalent.
