The NTIA supplied an replace on the company’s work to open new spectrum for 6G that reveals progress throughout 4 completely different bands with probably the most headway achieved within the 7GHz band.
The company is tasked with learning and reallocating spectrum for cell use, as directed by President Trump’s “Profitable the 6G Race” memorandum issued in December final yr. The order adopted the One Huge Lovely Invoice tax legislation that opened a spectrum pipeline of as much as 800MHz, with no less than 600MHz to be recognized between 1.3GHz and 10GHz for unique licensed use.
The December order from the White Home demanded work start “instantly” and gave NTIA a yr to review frequencies within the decrease 7GHz band (7125MHz–7400MHz) and discover relocating present federal customers to different bands, presumably between 7.4GHz and eight.4GHz.
It additionally required quick work on the two.7GHz band (2700MHz–2900MHz) and the 4.4GHz band (4400MHz–4940MHz). Together with the three bands designated within the memorandum, NTIA can be learning the 1.6GHz band (1675MHz–1695MHz).
This week, the NTIA launched spectrum.gov to trace progress on the 6G pipeline and different spectrum coverage points associated to satellite tv for pc communications and preparations for the World Radiocommunication Convention in 2027 (WRC-27).
A useful graphic on the brand new web site reveals how far alongside research are in 4 key bands.
Visible graphic exhibiting milestone progress for the spectrum research throughout the 4 bands: 7GHz, 4.4GHz, 2.7GHz and 1.6GHz (as of 5/1/2026). (Supply: NTIA, spectrum.gov)
On the CTIA Summit this week, Arielle Roth, chief administrator at NTIA, mentioned how this work goes. “We’re effectively on our approach to figuring out spectrum within the 7GHz band. Technical work is underway and we stay on monitor to ship our last report in December,” she mentioned, in accordance with her ready remarks.
For the two.7GHz band, the relocation plans are awaiting funding approval from Congress to make use of the Spectrum Relocation Fund (SRF). Congress has 54 days to determine. “We stay up for the discharge of funding so we are able to get this band recognized for public sale as rapidly as potential,” Roth mentioned.
The 2 most important federal authorities customers of this band are NOAA and FAA, and NTIA coordinated early with the Division of Protection and different companies to work out prices for relocation whereas working with the Workplace of Administration and Finances (OMB) “to jumpstart their clearance course of,” she defined.
For the 4GHz band, NTIA has began reviewing 9 plans from the companies and army departments that will likely be affected. “This can be a massive accomplishment for this thrilling—albeit sophisticated—band, and I proceed to carry my group’s ft to the hearth to see plans authorized, research accomplished, and the band in the end recognized for reallocation,” she mentioned.
Sizing up the 6G pipeline
The progress on making ready 7GHz for business use for cell operators is promising for US 6G ambitions. The frequencies are within the higher midband that covers 6GHz, the so-called “golden band” between 7GHz and 8GHz.
Whereas there are massive channels, there are questions on how good the protection will likely be in these increased frequencies, mentioned Gabriel Brown, senior principal analyst, cell networks at Omdia, a Mild Studying sister firm.
Operators have been testing the 7GHz band, together with current assessments by T-Cell with Ericsson and Nokia. The outcomes are little doubt instructive for the NTIA and FCC.
“Nokia specifically has been comparatively open in sharing information from higher 6GHz (in Europe) and 7GHz (in Japan) area assessments and the protection outcomes look fairly encouraging,” he mentioned.
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Spectrum for 6G. (Supply: Omdia)
One other spectrum problem with the subsequent technology is that 6G helps a most of 400MHz channel bandwidth within the downlink, which is far wider than typical 5G 100MHz channels. The fatter channels will not be required however develop into necessary for extra superior 6G providers like built-in sensing and communication (ISAC).
Nevertheless, discovering 400MHz of contiguous spectrum is a problem all over the place, not simply within the US.
China, arguably, appears to be in a greater spectrum place for 6G as a result of it has allotted the whole 6GHz band for mobile use. The US has assigned this band for Wi-Fi, whereas Europe has carved out the higher 6GHz band for mobile.
The Chinese language authorities authorized this week using 6GHz frequencies for 6G trials within the nation, in accordance with native studies. Nevertheless, Brown mentioned the worth of opening the 6GHz band to Wi-Fi shouldn’t be discounted and is useful, making the US-China comparability extra nuanced.
“The spectrum pipeline for 6G within the US appears okay. The mobile trade is rarely glad on this matter, however the outlook is respectable sufficient for now,” mentioned Brown.
There are two upcoming auctions on the FCC. The primary is for AWS-3 spectrum, which begins in June. The subsequent one is the higher C-band public sale that is because of be accomplished no later than July 2027.
Spectrum will likely be a sizzling matter on the upcoming 6G Summit going down on the Community X Americas occasion from Might 18-20 in Dallas.
