“This is important for Wi-Fi 7 as well as Wi-Fi 6,” Feld wrote today in response to the Carr plan. “But we need a real pipeline for more unlicensed spectrum. Glad to see the value of unlicensed spectrum being acknowledged. Expect more of that.”
The risk to Wi-Fi spectrum appears to be low
Despite the positive reaction to Carr’s plan this week, there is still a potential threat to Wi-Fi’s use of the 6 GHz band. In April 2020, 1,200 MHz between 5.925 and 7.125 GHz were allocated for Wi-Fi, but plans to auction off spectrum to wireless carriers could take some of those frequencies away from Wi-Fi.
A law approved by Congress and Trump in July 2025 requires the FCC to auction at least 800 MHz of spectrum, some of which could come from the 6 GHz band currently allocated to Wi-Fi or Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the 3550 MHz to 3700 MHz range. The FCC has some leeway in deciding which frequencies to auction, and its pending decision in the case will attract a lot of interest from groups interested in preserving and expanding Wi-Fi and CBRS access.
Calabrese said in June 2025 that 6 GHz and CBRS “are the most vulnerable non-federal bands to reallocation and auction.” But now, following statements from the Trump administration claiming 6 GHz Wi-Fi as a major Trump accomplishment and support from congressional Republicans, Calabrese told Ars today that reallocation of Wi-Fi frequencies is “very unlikely.” Advocates “are now more concerned about CBRS than 6 GHz,” he said.
In addition to consumer advocacy groups, the cable industry is lobbying for Wi-Fi and CBRS, putting it in opposition to the mobile industry that wants more specific licenses to use the airwaves. Cable industry lobby group NCTA said yesterday it was “encouraged by the FCC’s action to expand use in the 6 GHz band. Wi-Fi now carries nearly 90 percent of mobile data, securing more unlicensed spectrum is essential to keep up with growing consumer demand, emerging power technologies, and ensuring fast, reliable connections for homes, businesses and communities across the country.”
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