The U.S. is taking another step toward 6G, even though the next generation of wireless service is still years away. A new federal tracking site shows the government is actively reviewing several spectrum bands that could be used for 6G, with the lower 7GHz range currently the furthest along in the process.
As reported by PhoneArena, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration is studying multiple bands for possible 6G use, including 7GHz, 4.4GHz, 2.7GHz, and 1.6GHz. The report says 7GHz is ahead of the others and is moving toward interference analysis, while the other bands are still earlier in the review process.
The report also says the push follows earlier support for 7GHz from 5G Americas, Nokia, and Ericsson. It adds that President Donald Trump signed a memorandum called “Winning the 6G Race” last December, directing the NTIA to study the lower 7GHz band from 7125MHz to 7400MHz.
The article further notes that 600MHz of spectrum between 1.3GHz and 10GHz was ordered to be set aside for exclusive licensed use, and some federal users may have to move out of parts of the 7.4GHz to 8.4GHz range.
According to the source, NTIA administrator Arielle Roth said the agency is working to identify spectrum in the 7GHz band and that its final report is due in December. For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: the U.S. is already laying the groundwork for 6G, and 7GHz looks like one of the strongest candidates so far.
Source: PhoneArena
