GSMA Appeals to Governments to License 6 GHz Spectrum to Power 5G
Recently, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) appeals to governments to license 6 GHz Spectrum to Power 5G. The GSMA also said that if governments do not reach an agreement on licensing 6 GHz spectrum, it will be a risk for the global future of 5G.
However, according to the GSMA, not all the governments are agreed with them: "China will use the entire 1200 MHz in the 6 GHz band for 5G. Europe has split the band, with the upper part considered for 5G, but a new 500 MHz tranche available for Wi-Fi. Africa and parts of the Middle East are taking a similar approach. At the other extreme, the US and much of Latin America have declared that none of this valuable resource will be made available for 5G, but rather will be offered to Wi-Fi and other unlicensed technologies."
The GSMA said in a statement the 6GHz band is critical not only for network operators to provide the enhanced affordable connectivity, but also to deliver the data capacity and speeds needed for factories, transport, and smart cities. In order to deliver 5G networks’ full potential, it is estimated by Coleago Consulting that it still needs 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum over the next decade.
John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer for the GSMA, said “5G has the potential to boost the world’s GDP by $2.2 trillion. But there is a clear threat to this growth if sufficient 6 GHz spectrum is not made available for 5G. Clarity and certainty are essential to fostering the massive, long-term investments in this critical infrastructure.”
The GSMA stressed that the full speed and capabilities of 5G depend on the 6 GHz mid-band spectrum. That’s why they call on governments to make at least6425-7125 MHz available for licensed 5G and ensure to protect backhaul services. Depending on countries’ needs, incumbent use and fibre footprint, they also call on that the bottom half of the 6 GHz range at 5925-6425 MHz could be opened on a licence-exempt basis with technology neutral rules.
