Europe's future economic competitiveness relies on fast, secure, and reliable connectivity, with 6G set to play a central role. The full availability of the upper 6 GHz band (6.425–7.125 GHz) is crucial for the rollout of next-generation 6G services, as spectrum demand intensifies. Without access to this band, the potential economic benefits of mobile networks, projected to contribute 8.4% of global GDP by 2030, may not be realized.
Data Demand and Mobile Evolution
- Data per connection is expected to triple from 32 GB/month in 2024 to 97 GB/month in 2030.
- 71% of mobile data use is indoors, with mid-bands providing 85% of indoor connectivity.
- In Europe, 71% of urban indoor 5G use is provided by the 3.5 GHz band, while Wi-Fi contributes 22% (Wi-Fi 4: 44%, Wi-Fi 5: 34%, Wi-Fi 6: 22%).
- 6 GHz trial speeds reach 12 Gbps, demonstrating its potential for high-speed connectivity.
6G Channel Size and Spectrum Allocation
- 6G will use 200-400 MHz channels, with the upper 6 GHz band offering 700 MHz suitable for initial deployments.
- Global socioeconomic benefits show that licensed mobile use in the upper 6 GHz band yields the greatest economic benefit, outperforming unlicensed RLAN use (7× greater) and shared use scenarios.
Indoor-Outdoor Mobile Usage
- Most mobile use occurs indoors, with mid-band spectrum delivering the majority of this traffic.
- 6 GHz can provide comparable indoor coverage to the 3.5 GHz range and effectively enhance urban area capacity.
Wi-Fi Evolution in Lower 6 GHz
- Europe has spectrum capacity available in the 5.925-6.425 GHz band for Wi-Fi evolution, as lower 6 GHz band usage is minimal.
- Upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 technology improves efficiency and user experience, with median download speeds significantly higher compared to Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5.
Conclusion and Recommendations
- Licensed 6 GHz spectrum is essential for supporting Europe's digital goals and 6G leadership.
- Spectrum capacity for 6G should consider 200-400 MHz channel sizes.
- Timely availability of licensed upper 6 GHz mobile spectrum will drive cost-efficient network deployment and support digital inclusion.
- Wi-Fi spectrum efficiency can be improved by upgrading to the latest technologies.
- The lower 6 GHz band offers significant unused space for Wi-Fi evolution.
- The full upper 6 GHz band (6.425-7.125 MHz) should be allocated to full-power macrocell IMT without additional power restrictions or sharing mechanisms.
