DSA Presses EU for the Wi-Fi Band Eyed by Mobile Providers

The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) called on the European Commission to open the upper 6 GHz spectrum band for Wi-Fi. Their letter comes two weeks after several European mobile operators called for the entire allocation to be used for mobile services.

In the letter to EC EVP tech sovereignty, security, and democracy Henna Virkkunen, the group made its plea for the frequencies to support unrestrained Wi-Fi operations. Signatories of the letter, a total of 58 organizations, include manufacturers, chipmakers, internet service providers, trade associations, and software developers.

The group argues that the power of Wi-Fi in conjunction with 5G, fiber, fixed wireless access, and satellite technology is needed to support the EC’s 2030 digital goals. Use of the in-demand band for Wi-Fi, the letter stated, would deliver high-speed, ultra-low latency, low-cost, high-speed connectivity that will enable innovations in industry, including automated manufacturing, smart logistics, and industrial IoT.

DSA asserted that without access to the additional spectrum, businesses in Europe would be less competitive on the world stage due to higher wireless connectivity costs and less access to new technologies. The letter went on to outline the reliance of institutions such as hospitals and universities on Wi-Fi, claiming that going in the wrong direction on the upper 6 GHz will stunt the development of new applications across these use cases.

Among its other arguments for access to the band was that Wi-Fi was the best and most cost-efficient method for indoor connectivity, and the fact that Europe was already behind some other regions in the adoption of the latest standard of the technology. The group’s pitch comes as EC advisors, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group, work on its position for the upper 6 GHz band and looks likely to set up a battle with the mobile industry, which has its own designs on the frequencies.