Ofcom green-lights UK Wi-Fi access across entire 6 GHz band
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Ofcom has approved a spectrum‑sharing framework that opens the entire Upper 6 GHz band (5 925‑7 125 MHz) to Wi‑Fi, making the UK the first European nation to permit unrestricted access across the band. The regulator split the spectrum into a Wi‑Fi‑priority slice (6 425‑6 585 MHz) and a mobile‑priority slice (6 585‑7 125 MHz), with the Wi‑Fi portion available licence‑exempt for low‑power indoor and very‑low‑power use, and outdoor or higher‑power devices required to operate under an Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) system. The mobile slice is also licence‑exempt for AFC‑controlled Wi‑Fi devices. The decision follows a January 2026 consultation and ends a years‑long lobbying battle between mobile operators, who seek extra 5G capacity, and Wi‑Fi vendors, who need wider channels for AI‑driven, immersive and industrial applications in the United Kingdom.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Granting Wi‑Fi priority across the full Upper 6 GHz band enables rapid rollout of high‑capacity, low‑latency networks crucial for AI‑intensive services, positioning the UK at the forefront of next‑generation digital infrastructure.