Genexis has previously voiced full support for designating the upper 6 GHz band for license-exempt Wi-Fi use, as we signed a joint letter with the Wi-Fi Coalition earlier this year. We have also actively responded to the Radio Spectrum Policy Group’s (RSPG) consultation on the long-term vision for the upper 6 GHz band. The RSPG is a high-level advisory group to the European Commission on radio spectrum policy. Here’s why we continue to advocate that the full upper 6 GHz be made available for license-exempt use.
Broadband is the backbone of Europe’s digital future
High-quality broadband is essential to Europe’s infrastructure. It powers how people connect, how businesses operate, how services are delivered, and how Europe competes globally. From remote work and smart home to digital health, education, and industrial innovation, fast, reliable connectivity is a core requirement. And fiber broadband is a ‘green’ technology that delivers the fastest broadband with the lowest power consumption. One of Europe’s goals is to support faster and more cost-effective deployment of broadband networks through the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA). But a critical piece of this infrastructure is still locked away.
The missing piece: the upper 6 GHz band
The upper 6 GHz band could unlock next-generation Wi-Fi performance and support widespread digital transformation. But unlike other parts of the world, such as the US, where the entire 6 GHz band is available for unlicensed use, Europe has so far opened only the lower half, and the upper half remains under debate. The continued restrictions threaten to hold back European connectivity and innovation.
Why Wi-Fi matters – especially indoors
Most of our internet use occurs indoors – at home, in offices, schools, and public spaces. While fiber brings ultra-fast speeds to the building, Wi-Fi is what delivers connectivity to our devices over the last few meters. However, current Wi-Fi technology is constrained by a restricted spectrum. Congestion, interference, and signal overlap, especially in apartment buildings, mean users rarely experience the full speed they pay for.
Wi-Fi 7 is ready. Europe isn’t – yet
Wi-Fi 7 can leverage multiple 320 MHz-wide channels for ultra fast, low latency connectivity, but these channels require more spectrum than Europe currently allows. Without access to the full 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 7’s potential is capped, and so is Europe’s ability to deliver cutting-edge broadband performance. Limitations like overlapping channels limit performance and increase frustration.
A bottleneck that hurts everyone
This isn’t just a consumer issue. Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are investing heavily in fiber but face increasing pressure to ensure a high-quality in-home experience. In recent years, CSPs have changed their focus from ‘homes passed’ to ‘homes activated’. Wi-Fi performance and reliability are key factors to make this happen, and more available spectrum is what will enable this.
If Wi-Fi falls short, customers blame the CSPs, and support costs go up. Equipment vendors struggle, too, when forced to design region-specific products due to fragmented spectrum policies. Without a competitive domestic market, European tech companies risk falling behind the global competition.
Adopting 5G/6G will not help
Some argue that the upper 6 GHz band should be reserved for future 5G or 6G use. But cellular networks face serious challenges indoors, especially at high frequencies like 6 GHz. Walls block signals, and deploying indoor cellular infrastructure is expensive. Moreover, 6G is still a long way off before it can be used, while Wi-Fi, by contrast, is already installed in nearly every home and office. It’s more efficient, more affordable, and already proven at scale.
Cost matters: Wi-Fi keeps access affordable
Unlike cellular networks, Wi-Fi runs on unlicensed spectrum, which helps keep costs low for consumers and businesses. Auctioning the upper 6 GHz band for licensed use may generate short-term revenue for governments, but it leads to higher service costs and restricts innovation. A license-exempt approach promotes open access, drives down prices, and supports inclusion.
What’s holding Europe back now? Just spectrum
Today, more devices than ever support 6 GHz. Wi-Fi 7 is here. The regulatory foundation is largely in place. What’s missing is access to the upper band. Without it, Europe’s networks can’t scale, consumers can’t fully benefit from their fiber connections, and device manufacturers can’t compete globally. It’s a bottleneck with growing consequences.
The time to act is now
Europe has the tools, the technology, and the demand. By opening the entire 6 GHz band for license-exempt use, we can achieve faster internet speeds in practice, improve connectivity in both urban and rural areas, and foster an environment conducive to technological advancements. This move will not only enhance the quality of life for European citizens but also position Europe as a leader in global digital innovation. It’s a strategic move that would strengthen Europe’s networks, its economy, and its competitiveness.
Read the Wi-Fi Coalition’s call for support for upper 6 GHz
Read our blog “It’s time to fully open the upper 6 GHz for Wi-Fi in Europe”
