Fierce Network
Dean Bubley, Founder & Director, Disruptive Analysis

As we go through the early stages of preparation for ITU World Radio Conference WRC-27, it is worth reflecting on the growing importance and necessity of spectrum sharing, and how it should be advanced in ways favorable to the U.S. and its allies.

The last ITU World Radio Congress, WRC-23, took place in Dubai in November and December 2023. It addressed numerous spectrum issues across many different areas — although few more contentious than bands for mobile uses such as 6 GHz.

The U.S. has been a leader in developing and delivering innovative spectrum models, like those underpinning Wi-Fi and the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), plus their technological enablers such as advanced sensing and databases. These shared‑spectrum wireless systems produce tremendous economic value, democratize investment into new wireless solutions, and expand consumer and business access to high-speed and high-capacity connectivity. They also help mitigate the risks of state control and oligopolistic domination of wireless services.

A key domain for future spectrum sharing will be 6G (and upcoming versions of 5G). Today, there are few realistic candidates for bands that can be easily cleared and repurposed for cellular wireless systems — almost all have important incumbents that will be difficult, expensive and time-consuming to move.