The socioeconomic benefits of the 6 GHz band: considering licensed and unlicensed options

Spectrum policymakers around the world face an important decision in the coming years as they look to decide the optimal approach for managing spectrum in the 6 GHz frequency band. An updated GSMA Intelligence study carries out a cost-benefit analysis of different licensed and unlicensed assignment options for the 6GHz band in 24 countries.

In this report, which replaces the first edition that was published in January 2022, we implement a supply and demand framework in the 2021–2035 period to determine where 6 GHz spectrum will have its most productive use. We find that the optimal assignment policy largely depends on the expected adoption of 5G and fixed fibre and cable broadband services in each market, the availability of spectrum in other bands and the speeds that fixed broadband can offer consumers.