Wi-Fi vs. 5G: Industry Clash Heats Up Over EU's 6GHz Spectrum Allocation

A growing rift between Wi-Fi advocates and mobile network operators is unfolding across the European Union, as both sides vie for control over the upper 6GHz radio spectrum—seen as a critical asset for the future of connectivity.

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A coalition of 58 tech companies and industry associations, led by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, has urged EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen to reserve the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi use. They argue that increased access to unlicensed spectrum is essential to support growing internet demand, especially as Europe falls behind countries like the U.S., Canada, and South Korea in adopting next-generation Wi-Fi technologies.