GSMA warns 6GHz spectrum delay is stalling mobile network infrastructure

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has warned that delays in decisions on the 6GHz spectrum band are stalling essential mobile network infrastructure as the world transitions from 5G to early 6G networks.

The warning was issued by GSMA Director-General Vivek Badrinath on Monday as the global mobile industry called on governments and regulators to provide clearer spectrum roadmaps and make the band available for full-power mobile services.

Badrinath said timely spectrum decisions would give operators the certainty needed to invest in network expansion and increase capacity as global mobile data traffic continues to grow.

What the GSMA is saying

The GSMA said the mobile ecosystem is ready to deploy services using the upper 6GHz band at scale, but that governments need to provide the regulatory certainty required to support future network investment.

• “The message from the mobile ecosystem is clear: we are ready to put the upper 6 GHz spectrum to work for consumers and businesses around the world,” Badrinath said.

He urged governments to translate the international harmonisation of the band into improved connectivity by prioritising the upper 6GHz spectrum for full-power mobile services.

According to him, timely and pro-investment spectrum policies would give operators greater certainty to invest while helping countries achieve their digital ambitions.

• “Timely, pro-investment spectrum decisions are needed to give operators the certainty to invest, to help countries deliver their national digital ambitions,” he said.

Why the 6GHz band matters

The upper 6GHz band, covering 6.425 GHz to 7.125 GHz, is regarded as valuable mid-band spectrum because it can provide additional capacity for mobile networks.

• The GSMA said the band can provide city-wide capacity when used by full-power macro-cell mobile networks, helping operators respond to rising data traffic and customer demand.
• The additional spectrum is also expected to support the evolution of 5G-Advanced and the future introduction of 6G.

Badrinath said channel bandwidths of between 200 MHz and 400 MHz are expected to be required during the 6G era, highlighting the importance of the band to next-generation mobile networks.

• “Upper 6 GHz represents one of the most important opportunities to secure the capacity needed for the next-generation of mobile networks, creating a clear path from 5G-Advanced to 6G,” he said.

Global support for mobile use grows

The GSMA said countries representing more than 80% of the world’s population now support mobile use of the upper 6GHz band.

The band was harmonised for mobile use at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023, after which it was incorporated into national spectrum roadmaps in several markets.

More than 60 mobile operators, device manufacturers, chipset makers, network equipment providers and other members of the mobile ecosystem have joined the industry’s call for deployment, according to the GSMA.

The first assignments of upper 6GHz spectrum have already been completed, with further awards expected across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas as market demand develops.

Get up to speed

Nigeria is already preparing for rising demand for mobile network capacity.

• In January, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) unveiled a 2026–2030 Spectrum Roadmap aimed at expanding broadband capacity and attracting investment in telecom infrastructure, including guidelines for making the lower 6GHz and 60GHz bands available.
• The need for additional network capacity is being driven by rapid growth in data consumption.
• Nigerian telecom subscribers used a record 1.5 million terabytes of data in May 2026, while the share of connections on 4G rose to 54.3% and 5G reached 4.49%.

At the global level, 5G adoption is also accelerating. A recent Ericsson report cited by Nairametrics said global 5G subscriptions reached 3.1 billion in Q1 2026, while the share of mobile data traffic carried over 5G is projected to rise to 85% by 2031.

What you should know

Nigeria is pursuing a broader expansion of digital infrastructure as demand for connectivity continues to grow.

The Federal Government has outlined plans for a 90,000-kilometre fibre-optic network and 3,700 additional rural telecommunications towers to expand broadband access across the country.

The NCC is also reviewing Nigeria’s telecom policy framework to address barriers that can slow infrastructure deployment.