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(BRUSSELS) – The EU Commission adopted a decision Thursday harmonising use of the 6 GHz band for wireless networks which will support devices, apps and innovative services that require larger bandwidth and speed.
The decision paves the way for public and business to enjoy better, faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections across the EU, including for video conferencing, streaming and sharing content, telemedicine or when using augmented reality technologies.
The harmonisation decision will make 480 MHz of additional spectrum available in the 6 GHz band. It will almost double the amount of available spectrum, adding to the 538.5 MHz available in the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands.
The enhanced spectrum is expected to reduce network congestion and thus increase network speed.
Countries around the world, including the US and the UK, are progressively making spectrum available in the 6 GHz band, so adapted devices can easily tap into the new benefits.
Making more bandwidth available for Wi-Fi services is seen as fundamental for facilitating innovation and for reaching the EU’s proposed ‘Digital Decade’ targets for 2030, according to which all European households should have gigabit connectivity.
Member States have to make this frequency band available for the implementation of Wi-Fi by 1 December 2021.
The 6 GHz harmonisation decision falls within the Radio Spectrum Decision framework, which allows the Commission to harmonise radio spectrum bands in timely support of innovative market and technological developments.
