Ofcom greenlights UK hybrid 6GHz sharing for Wi-Fi and mobile

This decision provides a temporary congestion relief valve for UK Wi-Fi networks in high-density areas like stadiums and offices while securing long-term mid-band capacity for 6G. By mandating AFC systems, Ofcom is betting on dynamic software-managed sharing rather than traditional exclusive licensing. For the streaming ecosystem, this increases the reliable bandwidth available for high-bitrate 4K/8K delivery and AR/VR applications in public venues. Success here will serve as a technical blueprint for other European regulators currently debating 6GHz allocation. Watch for the development of 'enhanced sensing' technologies that Ofcom suggests could eventually allow even more Wi-Fi devices to coexist within mobile-priority zones.

The Ofcom decision marks a significant departure from the divergent global strategies for the 6GHz band. According to Light Reading in January 2026, the UK's hybrid model contrasts with the United States, where the FCC has opened the entire 1200MHz block for unlicensed use, and China, which has reserved the band exclusively for licensed mobile services. European regulators under the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) had previously recommended a sharper split, prioritizing mobile for the bulk of the Upper 6GHz band to support the EU’s 6G roadmap, which targets a large-scale launch by 2030 (per Informa, April 2026).

Infrastructure readiness in the UK is already accelerating. In December 2025, EE became the first major UK provider to ship Wi-Fi 7 routers as standard for its full-fiber plans, as reported by Broadband Switch in June 2026. This hardware rollout is critical because tapping the 6GHz spectrum requires both routers and end-user devices to support Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 protocols. While flagship smartphones like the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 now include these radios, older consumer hardware remains restricted to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

Regulators are also focused on clearing existing users. Per Ofcom filings in July 2026, the agency is providing five years' notice to revoke licenses for fixed-link incumbents in 'high density' areas that conflict with future mobile deployments. This phased approach mirrors the WRC-23 (World Radiocommunication Conference) mission to harmonize the 6GHz band for a global mobile footprint, a move the GSMA described as a 'pivotal milestone' for the semiconductor and equipment ecosystem in early 2024.