12 major European telecommunications companies request 6G allocation in the upper 6 GHz band, warning that they are "behind the U.S.

On May 7, 2025, 12 major European telecom operators asked EU regulators to allocate the upper 6 GHz band (6.425 GHz to 7.125 GHz) for mobile services. They warned that they "could fall behind the U.S. in the deployment of 6G technology."

The new open letter was signed by 12 companies, including Vodafone (UK), Deutsche Telekom, Telefonica (Spain), Telecom Italia (Italy), and Orange (France). The companies noted that the frequency bands currently allocated "are insufficient to support existing 5G services and future 6G deployments as mobile traffic continues to grow. Without the upper 6 GHz band, future 6G services will be severely limited and Europe's opportunity to take the lead will be lost," they argue.

In 2020, U.S. regulators will open the entire 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi at the request of tech giants such as Google, Meta, and Apple, which have been asking for the opening of the 6 GHz band for use in next-generation Wi-Fi and AR/VR devices. Meanwhile, China has allocated the same band for 5G and 6G services in 2023. In their letter, the European telecom companies express concern about the possibility that the U.S. model of utilizing the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi will be adopted in Europe.

The EU's Radio Spectrum Policy Group is scheduled to issue a draft opinion in June, which will provide important advice to the European Commission in determining its policy for the use of the upper 6 GHz band.

Materials

• The upper 6 GHz band | Essential Action for Europe's Mobile Future
• Private 5G could stumble over tariff-induced uncertaintyMobile operators warn Europe may fall behind US on 6G without more spectrum
• Europe giants issue 6G spectrum warning
• 6G at risk without upper 6 GHz band, Europe's telcos warn regulators