Ofcom launches consultation on wireless services in the Upper 6GHz band
After making the Lower 6 GHz band available for Wi-Fi in 2020, Ofcom explored spectrum sharing between mobile and Wi-Fi in the Upper 6GHz band, engaging extensively with industry stakeholders through workshops. In May 2024, it outlined two preferred hybrid sharing options: an indoor/outdoor split and a prioritised spectrum split.
Read techUK’s insight on previous consultations here
Ofcom has now launched a consultation on authorising both Wi-Fi and mobile services to share the band. techUK encourages members to provide feedback on Ofcom’s proposed sharing mechanisms and phased approach to ensure effective coexistence between both services.
Sharing between mobile and Wi-Fi
Ofcom believes that spectrum sharing will bring significant benefits to the UK and welcomes feedback on this rationale. Additionally, Ofcom is considering various emerging sharing options, aligned with ongoing European discussions, and invites stakeholders to provide input. More detailed proposals will be developed as harmonization efforts progress.
A well-designed sharing framework could optimize spectrum use by balancing the strengths of both technologies. However, achieving this requires industry and regulatory collaboration on an equitable and harmonized approach. Mobile operators aim to use the band to expand outdoor capacity, while Wi-Fi is expected to meet high demand in busy indoor environments.
Ofcom is considering two main sharing options. The spectrum split would give Wi-Fi priority in the lower portion of the Upper 6 GHz band and mobile priority in the upper portion, with each able to use the other’s portion when no interference occurs. The exact split is yet to be determined, but it could range from 160 MHz to 400 MHz prioritised for Wi-Fi. The decision will also depend on European harmonization discussions.
The indoor/outdoor split would allocate Wi-Fi for indoor use and mobile for outdoor use, helping free up capacity in other mobile bands. However, this approach may require limiting mobile power levels to avoid interference. While high-power mobile use across the entire band could maximize mobile benefits, it would significantly constrain Wi-Fi, potentially reducing overall consumer benefits.
Ofcom will not make a final decision until European harmonization efforts progress further. European harmonization is crucial for ensuring investment in equipment and services for the Upper 6 GHz band. While Ofcom aims to align with European processes, it sees an opportunity to move forward with a phased approach that allows UK and European developments to progress in parallel.
The phased approach consists of two stages:
- Phase 1: Authorize low-power indoor Wi-Fi across the entire Upper 6 GHz band as quickly as possible. This would provide immediate consumer benefits while setting an initial allocation for Wi-Fi priority.
- Phase 2: Authorize mobile use once European harmonization outcomes become clearer.
This approach is flexible enough to accommodate various harmonization scenarios, even if Europe decides to allocate the band exclusively to Wi-Fi or mobile. A more cautious alternative would be to delay authorizing both Wi-Fi and mobile until European harmonization is finalized. This would ensure full compatibility with European equipment ecosystems but come at the cost of delaying new services until at least 2027.
On balance, Ofcom favors the phased approach. It allows the UK to benefit from early Wi-Fi use while contributing valuable insights to European harmonization discussions. Waiting would delay consumer benefits and risk industry deadlock over sharing mechanisms, which is why Ofcom is focusing on moving forward with a phased rollout.
techUK response and 1500MHz award
In addition to this consultation, techUK members are welcome to contribute to our response in the Award of 1492-1517 MHz spectrum for mobile services. Ofcom is proposing to auction the upper block of the 1.4 GHz band (1492-1517 MHz) for 4G and 5G mobile use. This spectrum has already been harmonized for international mobile telecommunications (IMT), with 40 MHz (1452-1492 MHz) already deployed by UK mobile network operators (MNOs). The additional 25 MHz is expected to enhance mobile performance, especially in areas with weaker coverage, such as indoors and rural locations.
As Ofcom plans to award the upper block of the 1.4 GHz band for IMT services. The regulator is seeking input on whether the initial period for stricter power limits at ports and airports should last a shorter period (around five years) or a longer period (up to twenty years). The shorter period is Ofcom’s preferred option, requiring maritime and airline operators to upgrade or replace vulnerable Inmarsat receivers. The longer period would provide more time for operators to adapt but may delay full mobile deployment.
Please get in touch with our team for more information.
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Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
Matthew Wild
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant.
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
