Trends
GSMA urges urgent spectrum planning to support 6G
According to GSMA, commercial 6G needs 2–4 GHz of mid-band spectrum by 2040; current allocations may not be sufficient.
Headline
According to GSMA, commercial 6G needs 2–4 GHz of mid-band spectrum by 2040; current allocations may not be sufficient.
Context
The GSMA has released a report titled “Vision 2040: Spectrum for the Future of Mobile Connectivity”, calling on governments to begin large-scale planning for 6G mid-band spectrum now. The association estimates that many countries will need 2 GHz to 3 GHz, or even up to 4 GHz in high-demand markets, of mid-band spectrum by around 2035 to 2040 to support AI-driven applications and advanced services. Currently, most nations allocate only around 1 GHz for mobile use. The GSMA warns that without fast action, countries could face a spectrum crunch in the 2030s, which could lead to network congestion, slower services and poor user experience. The report also estimates that commercial 6G could begin to roll out as early as 2030, with early launches expected in major economies such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, the US, Europe and the Gulf region.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
John Giusti , GSMA’s Chief Regulatory Officer, stressed that building a robust and sustainable digital economy in the years ahead depends on governments making mid-band spectrum available at scale now. Also Read: Nvidia invests $1B in Nokia for AI-driven 5G and 6G networks Also Read: 5G standalone adoption gains traction This call from the GSMA underscores a strategic inflection point: the future of mobile depends not just on advanced technologies, but on the availability of spectrum. As AI and immersive digital applications proliferate, demand for data is projected to explode. Without proactive regulation, the next generation of networks could be bottlenecked before they even start. By urging for at least 2 GHz of mid-band capacity to be allocated by 2030, the GSMA is pushing for future-proof policy that can support not only 6G but also the cloud, smart cities and industrial IoT. This long-term view could unlock major economic growth, especially in cities where traffic is highest.
Key Points
- GSMA says 6G will require up to three times today’s mid-band spectrum to meet surging demand.
- The association urges at least 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum to be operational by 2030 to avoid future congestion.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
