The Wi-Fi Alliance has welcomed and supported UK-based Ofcom’s newly released consultation on expanding access to the 6GHz band for commercial mobile and Wi-Fi services. This proposal represents a major step forward in ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of wireless connectivity.
Ofcom’s consultation involves looking at making Wi-Fi available in the lower 6GHz band subject to industry demand, and the upper 6GHz band available for mobile and Wi-Fi to share.
The Alliance has said this represents Ofcom’s acknolwedgement of the crucial role Wi-Fi plays in delivering high-performance connectivity for consumers, busineses, and industries across the UK. The 6GHz band is being seen as important for enabling applications such as artificial intelligence (AI), immersive reality, telemedicine, and smart marketing.
“Wi-Fi Alliance commends Ofcom’s leadership in recognising the immense benefits of 6 GHz Wi-Fi,” said Alex Roytblat, Vice President of Worldwide Regulatory Affairs, Wi-Fi Alliance. “This proposal underscores the UK’s commitment to fostering digital innovation and ensuring that Wi-Fi remains a cornerstone of connectivity, supporting economic growth and technological advancement.”
Expanding Wi-Fi access in the 6GHz band will enable delivering high-performance, low latency, and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity to alleviate congestion and enhance broadband performance. The expansion will also ensure UK consumers and enterprises can leverage the latest Wi-Fi technologies, including Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.
Wi-Fi Alliance looks forward to engaging with Ofcom throughout the consultation process and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that the UK’s spectrum policy supports an open, competitive, and innovation-driven wireless ecosystem.
There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by commenting below or visiting our LinkedIn page.
