The upcoming 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27) will assert a big influence on how spectrum is used, and Congress is proving eager to make its views known in favor of spectrum policies that will advance U.S. consumers’ interests here at home and U.S. industry’s interests abroad. What’s top of mind? Wi-Fi.

In recent House and Senate hearings, one message from lawmakers and witnesses was abundantly clear: ensuring plenty of unlicensed spectrum in the 6 GHz band is both critical for consumers and essential if the U.S. is to maintain global leadership in the production of Wi-Fi equipment. China’s contrary spectrum preferences cannot be allowed to prevail over those of the U.S.

Representative Troy Carter (D-LA), co-chair of the Congressional Wi-Fi Caucus, explained the emphasis. “Wi-Fi is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” supporting vast facets of our economy from schools to businesses and hospitals:

“As the co-chair of the Wi-Fi Caucus, it’s a priority for me that the United States remains at the forefront of the Wi-Fi technology battle that every American relies on every single day. Now more than ever, we know that Wi-Fi is not a luxury, it’s necessity. The upcoming World Radio Communications Conference, or WRC 27, will have significant implications for the future of the entire 6 GHz band, for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed uses that drive technological innovation and boost our economy.” – Rep. Carter 

Experts testified, however, that maintaining global spectrum leadership means actively resisting Chinese pressure on countries around the world to prioritize the upper 6 GHz band for licensed cellular uses. Michael Calabrese of New America emphasized that China’s alternative priorities for upper 6 GHz is contrary to U.S. interests.

“Not surprisingly, China is using the WRC process to push more nations to allocate the upper 6 GHz spectrum [band] for licensed cellular spectrum the US allocated for unlicensed and Wi-Fi use in 2020. This effort undermines 6 GHz as a global super band for next-generation Wi-Fi.” 

For years, China has tried, and failed, to use WRC processes to choke Wi-Fi by limiting its access to spectrum. Capitol Hill is taking note. On March 9, 2026, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie and Ranking Member Frank Pallone jointly wrote President Trump to urge his administration to focus on the WRC process to advance 6 GHz and other U.S. interests.

“To ensure our best opportunity for success at WRC-27, it is essential that our nation coordinates across all federal agencies and with the private sector to establish clear, unified positions for WRC-27. This should include defending the U.S. position on the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use as well as identifying additional bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) service. Failing to establish clear national positions on these matters risks undercutting our own advocacy and giving the PRC the upper hand.”

Congressional policymakers also want to see follow through on the careful choices made by Congress in the OBBBA, such as safekeeping federal spectrum at 7.4-8.4 GHz from being used for commercially licensed cellular mobile, not just domestically, but internationally. Senator Fischer recognized that U.S. spectrum strategy ahead of WRC-27 is about more than commercial or unlicensed uses; it’s national security, too. As she noted during the hearing:

“As we look at the priorities of federal agencies ahead of WRC-27, we know that national security space operations rely on that 7.4 to 8.4 GHz band, and that’s why that band, as was mentioned, was specifically excluded from the FCC’s current auction authority in statute last year.”

Fischer challenged witnesses to provide any example of a U.S. WRC negotiating position that diametrically opposed U.S. domestic law. Answer – crickets. But that’s not stopping the U.S. cellular industry from championing a Chinese point of view, as Calabrese reported in his testimony:

“Mobile industry representatives on the FCC’s WRC Advisory Committee support this change, despite the fact that the One Big, Beautiful Bill specifically excluded 7.4 to 8.4. GHz from reallocation to IMT to protect national security operations.  [New America] believe[s] the U.S. position should oppose a change to IMT that U.S. law prohibited just nine months ago. Moreover, the results of NTIA’s ongoing studies of the lower 7 GHz band, which will be available later this year, making a position now, other than no change, premature at best.”

The Wi-Fi industry supported this view, as well, in written comments to the FCC.  Retention of federal systems in the 7 GHz band – from 7.125 – 8.4 GHz – enables future exploration of sharing opportunities with low power, indoor systems such as Wi-Fi, providing better Wi-Fi to consumers while protecting important federal systems.

Looking Ahead

At WRC-27, the U.S. must place the interests of its consumers and domestic industry first.  Engagements by elected officials send an important message to the agencies who are working to develop and execute negotiating positions.  With Congress and industry leaders alike echoing the critical role Wi-Fi plays in our nation’s landscape, the United States is in a strong position to shape the global communications landscape as WRC-27 draws near.