Late last year, the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23) concluded after a month of discussions over the future of global spectrum regulations. The U.S. delegation’s efforts protected American interests, such as Wi-Fi and other technologies that rely on unlicensed spectrum, in the face of attacks by China and its allies. In case you didn’t make it to Dubai, we’re here to break down the major developments regarding unlicensed spectrum and what they mean for the future of Wi-Fi globally and here at home.

The 6 GHz spectrum band is an absolutely vital band for Wi-Fi, an American-led technology that generates over a trillion dollars in economic value each year thanks to innovation, manufacturing and job creation. Here at home, the U.S. has designated the full band for unlicensed use, and so have many countries globally. Heading into WRC, China had a mission at odds with the U.S. approach – to convince the world to use most of the 6 GHz band only for “international mobile telecommunications” (IMT), thereby earmarking it exclusively for the 5G equipment market, which is dominated globally by Chinese manufacturers. If China had been successful, not only could this have prevented any unlicensed technologies from accessing a critical part of the 6 GHz spectrum band in much of the world, but it would have given an advantage to China and China-owned equipment vendors like Huawei at the expense of the U.S. Wi-Fi industry. Simply put, a global IMT designation for 6 GHz would benefit Chinese corporations and hurt American companies, while posing security threats throughout the world for countries building 5G networks with Chinese equipment. 

Thanks to the U.S. delegation, China was largely unsuccessful in achieving that goal – at least for now. While European, Middle Eastern and African countries did adopt an IMT designation in a portion of the 6 GHz band, and Asian countries in an even smaller sliver of spectrum, the global spectrum treaty adopted at the WRC specifically allows regulators to adopt unlicensed use of the band if they choose to do so, regardless of the international identification.  In practice, almost all countries will see little to no change in their ability to elect unlicensed use of the 6 GHz band if they believe that is the best course for their country.

In addition, the WRC thankfully did not accept China’s proposed “future agenda item” for IMT in the 6 GHz band, which would have had the effect of halting regulatory decisions about 6 GHz until nations convene again to revise the spectrum treaty.  

The next WRC will be held in 2027, and without a future agenda item, there will be no consideration of impeding Wi-Fi and limiting the 6 GHz band to IMT use at that conference. 

The WRC results could not be more clear – regulators globally want to consider how unlicensed technologies such as Wi-Fi enable their national broadband goals, innovation policies and economic development plans. That same desire for smart, informed spectrum policy is happening here at home, where NTIA is now working to shape the National Spectrum Strategy. So let’s look at why Wi-Fi is in the mix domestically as we debate future spectrum allocations. 

The number of Wi-Fi devices and consumer demand for Wi-Fi continues to skyrocket. Wi-Fi is the workhorse of the internet and because it predominates in indoor settings, where we consume data the most, it continues to carry ten times more data traffic than licensed 5G. As data traffic and speeds continue to climb higher and higher, fueled by data-hungry devices and applications, as well as more potent broadband connections to our homes, businesses, schools and anchor institutions, Wi-Fi technology and unlicensed spectrum must become even more capable to support these next-generation technologies. Otherwise, the full potential of a range of devices, applications and broadband connections will never be realized. The good news is that the next generation of wireless technology – Wi-Fi 7 – will use wide channels to deliver higher throughput, offer lower latency and more energy efficiency, as well as provide many other innovations to ensure our networks perform reliably and securely. And yes, the good news about Wi-Fi 7 comes with a policy choice – if we want to enable consumers to fully take advantage of the technology built into Wi-Fi 7, we need to extend Wi-Fi operations from 6 GHz into the 7 GHz band. 

The 7 GHz band is the only band reasonably available in the foreseeable future to meet the country’s ever-growing Wi-Fi spectrum needs. From any perspective – consumer experience, technology development, radio and spectrum efficiency – the 7 GHz band is the best match for the next generation of Wi-Fi. Not only is prompt action to make the 7 GHz band available for unlicensed use the best answer domestically, it also advances U.S. spectrum policy leadership globally. China selfishly knows Huawei and its other equipment makers will benefit from reserving the 7 GHz band for its preferred licensed services – that’s why the Chinese delegation worked hard at WRC to undermine not only unlicensed use in the 6 GHz band but also in the 7 GHz band. WifiForward is ready to work in partnership with the U.S. government to counter this threat and protect the vibrant and critical Wi-Fi industry that consumers benefit from every day, just as we will work domestically to encourage U.S. policymakers to extend the benefits of today’s Wi-Fi into the 7 GHz band tomorrow.

Check out what others are saying on WRC-23: 

“Wi-Fi Alliance® celebrates the WRC-23 decisions on the 6.425-7.125 GHz frequency band (upper-6 GHz). Following four years of technical analysis, policymakers and stakeholders from more than 160 countries gathered at WRC-23 to consider the most responsible and efficient use of the upper 6 GHz radio-frequency spectrum. Wi-Fi Alliance is thrilled that the conference recognized the pivotal role of 6 GHz Wi-Fi® in shaping the future of global connectivity. While deciding to identify the upper 6 GHz spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) in Europe, Africa and a few other countries, the conference adopted an international treaty provision to explicitly recognize that this spectrum is used by wireless access systems such as Wi-Fi. Importantly, the WRC-23 rejected proposals to expand the upper 6 GHz IMT identification to several other countries or to consider such IMT identifications at the next WRC in 2027.

Wi-Fi Alliance is grateful to all WRC-23 delegates who have dedicated their time, knowledge, and expertise to make this conference a success.” – Wi-Fi Alliance

“WRC-23 took decisions to expand international mobile telecommunication (IMT) identifications that pave the way for future 5G deployments, while also preserving opportunities for unlicensed technologies in the 6 GHz band. These decisions will help enable growth of both licensed and unlicensed connectivity solutions and foster an ecosystem of innovative applications and services that will drive economic growth for years to come. U.S. companies are leading developers of Wi-Fi technology and keeping the 6 GHz band open for unlicensed deployments without further studies will enable countries to take decisions promptly to make this spectrum available for next generation Wi-Fi deployment. WRC-23 also took steps to further harmonize spectrum available for 5G in the Americas in the 3.3-3.4 GHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz bands, creating 500 megahertz of contiguous mobile broadband spectrum across the entire region while providing the necessary interference protection to our federal agencies who also use some of this spectrum.” – U.S. Department of State 

“Thank you to the U.S. delegation – and in particular the FCC’s wonderful and tireless team – for their great work at WRC-23. The WRC was not just weeks of work in Dubai, but also years of preparation by the FCC, experts across the government, and our telecommunications industry. The delegation’s accomplishments will promote innovation in unlicensed spectrum including Wi-Fi, support 5G connectivity, pave the way for 6G, and bolster U.S. leadership in the growing space economy. We now look forward to getting to work on preparations for WRC-27.” – Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman, FCC

“Thank you to Deputy Assistant Secretary Steve Lang for his able leadership and to the FCC staff along with the entire U.S. delegation for their exceptional and tireless efforts at WRC-23. WRC-23 was the culmination of years of collaboration and hard work between our strong interagency team, the telecommunications industry, and our regional and international partners. The delegation’s accomplishments on terrestrial licensed and unlicensed spectrum as well as space allocations will advance science and economic prosperity worldwide.” – Anna Gomez, Commissioner, FCC

“At this year’s World Radiocommunication Conference, the U.S. delegation advanced spectrum policy for critical federal missions like aviation safety, weather, climate monitoring and even future lunar missions. The U.S. delegation also notched critical wins for the private sector in support of both licensed and unlicensed services, and in expanding space and satellite services. I congratulate the team, including our dedicated NTIA staff, who made WRC-23 a success for the United States.” – Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator