Austin, Texas – July 20, 2026 – Wi-Fi Alliance® applauds Ofcom’s landmark decision to implement an innovative spectrum sharing framework for the Upper 6 GHz band, making the United Kingdom the first country in Europe to establish a regulatory framework enabling Wi-Fi® access across the entire 6 GHz band (5925–7125 MHz).

The framework enables license-exempt Wi-Fi access across the full 1200 MHz of the 6 GHz band through a balanced spectrum sharing approach that combines immediate access for Wi-Fi with a clear path for future mobile services. The decision also authorizes higher-power outdoor Wi-Fi operation under the control of Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems, unlocking new opportunities for innovation while protecting incumbent spectrum users.

“Ofcom’s decision is a landmark achievement for wireless innovation in Europe,” said Kevin Robinson, President and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. “By adopting a forward-looking spectrum sharing framework, the United Kingdom is maximizing the value of the 6 GHz band and ensuring consumers, businesses, and public services can benefit from the advanced connectivity enabled by next-generation Wi-Fi. This decision demonstrates that regulators can support both today’s growing demand for Wi-Fi and tomorrow’s mobile services through innovative spectrum management.”

Demand for high-performance Wi-Fi continues to accelerate as artificial intelligence, immersive applications, industrial automation, cloud computing, and next-generation enterprise networks require greater capacity, lower latency, and wider channels. Access to the full 6 GHz band will enable the advanced Wi-Fi technologies needed to support these increasingly demanding applications and deliver faster, more reliable connectivity across homes, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and public venues.

Wi-Fi Alliance remains committed to working with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to support successful implementation of AFC systems and advance spectrum policies that enable Wi-Fi innovation and maximize the benefits of unlicensed connectivity worldwide.

About Wi-Fi Alliance® | www.wi-fi.org
Wi-Fi Alliance® is the worldwide network of companies that brings you Wi-Fi®. Members of our collaboration forum come together from across the Wi-Fi ecosystem with the shared vision to connect everyone and everything, everywhere, while providing the best possible user experience. Since 2000, Wi-Fi Alliance has completed more than 85,000 Wi-Fi certifications. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ seal of approval designates products with proven interoperability, backward compatibility, and the highest industry-standard security protections in place. Today, Wi-Fi carries more than half of the Internet’s traffic in an ever-expanding variety of applications. Wi-Fi Alliance continues to drive the adoption and evolution of Wi-Fi, which billions of people rely on every day.