Wi-Fi vs. 5G: Spectrum Battle Heats Up in Europe

The battle for Europe’s airwaves is escalating as internet providers and mobile operators clash over access to a critical slice of the radio spectrum. This week, a coalition of 58 internet service providers and industry groups urged the European Commission to allocate the upper 6GHz band for unrestricted Wi-Fi use, setting up a direct confrontation with telecom giants who want the same frequencies for future 5G and 6G networks.

In a letter addressed to EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, global advocacy group Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA) called for the upper 6GHz band to be opened up for unlicensed Wi-Fi operations, arguing that it’s essential to meet growing consumer and enterprise demands for fast, reliable connectivity. Wi-Fi doesn’t just power personal devices like smartphones and laptops — it’s also the backbone for smart homes, industrial IoT sensors, and public hotspots.

Without this additional spectrum, European businesses could face higher operational costs and risk falling further behind in global competitiveness. “Europe is already behind other countries in adopting the latest Wi-Fi standards,” the group warned, pointing to markets like the U.S., Canada, and South Korea, which have already freed up parts of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi use.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, 12 major European telecom operators petitioned regulators to reserve the same frequencies for exclusive use by mobile networks, emphasizing the importance of supporting next-generation mobile services. Their concerns are partly fueled by pressure from U.S. firms pushing for expanded Wi-Fi spectrum access in Europe.

The disagreement highlights a longstanding tension between mobile network operators — who seek exclusive, licensed spectrum rights — and the Wi-Fi community, which favors a shared access model. “Most of the traffic in Europe is indoors. And most of it starts or ends on a Wi-Fi connection,” said Martha Suarez, president of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance. “There’s always hype about 5G and 6G, but we shouldn’t forget how people actually connect to the internet.”

The European Commission is expected to unveil a Digital Networks Act in late 2025, aimed at addressing connectivity challenges and streamlining spectrum management across member states. Ahead of that, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), which advises the Commission on frequency policy, is scheduled to meet on June 17, a date that could prove pivotal in shaping Europe’s wireless future.